Mission and objectives

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut (IFI) is an independent, research-based, policy-oriented institute. It aims to initiate and develop policy-relevant research in and about the Arab world.
The AUB-IFI aims at bridging the gap between academia and policymaking by conducting high quality research on the complex issues and challenges faced by Lebanese and Arab societies within shifting international and global contexts, by generating evidence-based policy recommendations and solutions for Lebanon and the Arab world, and by creating an intellectual space for an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas among researchers, scholars, civil society actors, media, and policy makers.

AUB-IFI brings evidence-based research and policy oriented analysis on Euro-Mediterranean politics and policies. Additionally, IFI brings together researchers and activists from the Arab region with European scholars and institutions to address common issues related to refugees, environment, water, energy and  issues related to Euro-Mediterranean politics and policies. Its focus is on international affairs and foreign policy, role of civil society actors in the Arab region, climate change, energy and water security, education and youth, refugee research and migration, social movements and reform, social justice urban planning/policies, women’s role in conflict resolution.