Note from the editor

By Hani Shukrallah

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In hosting Beyond, the quarterly review issued by the Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS), as a supplement of Al-Ahram Weekly, we introduce a new feature to the newspaper that is at once wholly novel, and entirely familiar. Seasoned readers will, of course, recognise that this supplement is the product of a hitherto unprecedented editorial collaboration between the Weekly and a non-Ahram body, an initiative that was -- needless to say -- both supported and welcomed by Al-Ahram's Chairman of the Board and Editor-in-Chief, Ibrahim Nafie.

Yet, at the same time, readers will recognise also that the editorial material provided by Beyond is by no means foreign to this newspaper. Al-Ahram Weekly has from its inception set itself the task of providing the widest possible platform for thoughtful and critical analysis and opinion by eminent writers, experts and commentators in Egypt, the Arab world and abroad.

The collaboration with AFICS was therefore fortuitous, if not surprising. The Egyptian chapter of AFICS had, for its own part, set itself the task of mustering the invaluable and highly diverse experience, expertise and knowledge gained by what is in fact a surprisingly large number of Egyptian through their work in various UN bodies in often crucial posts -- not least that of the Secretary- General of the world body. The Weekly could not but welcome the opportunity to provide a platform through which such a valuable reservoir of knowledge and critical thought can be drawn upon and instrumentalised in the service of a more a more just, more democratic and more humane world.

I feel particularly privileged to welcome on the pages of this supplement the contribution of my one-time professor, former UN Secretary- General Butros-Butros Ghali, whose article on UN reform provides a most exhilarating and thought-provoking launch for Beyond.