The centre attracts a wide range of specialists who are assigned to study and analyse issues of vital importance to the state and to propose possible strategies to manage such issues. The ECSSR's aim is to promote the global exchange of ideas and it welcomes association with like-minded institutions around the world. The centre also aims to develop the analytical and research skills of UAE nationals so that they will be equipped to manage the ever-increasing complexities of the future. To achieve its goals, the ECSSR has held many conferences, hosted academic gatherings and encouraged scholarly research.
The first major annual conference was held in January 1995 on the subject: ‘Iran and the Gulf – a search for stability’. Since then, the ECSSR has had a busy calendar of conferences, symposia and specialised workshops. Security issues and energy resources in the Gulf, the impact of the communications revolution, privatisation programmes in the Gulf region, the Middle East peace process, education and human resources in the UAE, the challenges of the twenty-first century, leadership and management and a host of other issues relating to the region have been discussed at the annual conferences.
Lectures during 1999 included ‘Health Development in the United Arab Emirates in a Global Perspective’ by Professor Hans Rosling, ‘The Security Environment in Central Asia’ by Professor S. Frederick Starr, ‘Arab Gulf Economies: Challenges for the Twenty-first Century With Special Reference to the UAE Economy’, by Professor Ibrahim Oweiss, ‘The Emerging Arab-American Political Constituency’ by Dr James J. Zogby, and ‘The Strategic Implications of Chemical and Biological Weapons for Gulf Security’ by Dr Kamal A. Beyoghlow.
In addition to book publishing (in Arabic and English) on topics of vital importance to the Gulf region, the ECSSR also produces a number of journals, including Strategic Studies, International Studies, The Emirates Occasional Papers and The Emirates Lecture Series. The centre is also establishing an electronic database that will serve as a comprehensive source of information on issues relating to the Gulf.