Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World

On September 24, 2008, the eminent and diverse Leadership Group on U.S.-Muslim Engagement launched its consensus report: Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World.

The launch marked the culmination of a two-year convening and consensus building effort by CBI and Search for Common Ground. Together, the two organizations created the U.S.-Muslim Engagement Project (USME) [1], to develop a new strategy to reduce tensions and improve relations between the U.S. and Muslims in key countries and regions. CBI Managing Director David Fairman and Search for Common Ground-USA Executive Director Rob Fersh co-direct the project. CBI Senior Consultant Paula Gutlov [2]e, Deputy Director of the Institute for Resource and Security Studies, is the Project Manager.

The Report calls for U.S. leaders and their counterparts in Muslim countries to:

• Use diplomacy more effectively to resolve conflicts involving the U.S. and Muslim countries
• Improve governance and foster civic participation in Muslim countries
• Promote job-creating economic growth to benefit both the U.S. and Muslim countries’ economies
• Improve mutual respect and understanding through major initiatives in education, exchange, interfaith dialogue and action, and cultural diplomacy

Over the coming months, the Leadership Group, supported by CBI and Search for Common Ground, will seek to drive action during the critical transition to a new U.S. Administration and Congress. CBI and Search for Common Ground will promote policy change with governmental leaders; catalyze initiatives with philanthropic, business and faith leaders; and educate opinion makers and the public through dissemination and discussion of the Report.

For more information, please contact CBI Managing Director David Fairman [3].

To download a free digital copy of the Leadership Group Report, visit USMuslimEngagement.org [1]. Hard copies of the Report may be ordered from amazon.com.