Introduction: Origins of the Proposal

This preliminary project proposal has been developed through the Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy at Roger Williams University beginning in Fall 2003, through a multi-step process of concept development, research and schematic design, and discussion and review among international leaders and members of the Center that has led to further revisions and development.

Steps in the Project Proposal development process to date have included:

Framing of Working Papers, October 2003-April 2004

Concepts, briefing papers, research and design studies were undertaken by noted international consultants, and through faculty-directed student work at Roger Williams University in the areas of international relations, engineering and management, architecture and planning. The work centered on a paper, “A Plan for the Economic Development of the Gaza Strip”, prepared by Ernst G. Frankel, MIT Professor Emeritus of Ocean Engineering and Management; along with concepts raised by the Center’s Founding Advisor Frank P. Davidson, co-founder of the Channel Tunnel Study Group. These became the catalyst for the development of Working Papers consisting of briefing papers, along with planning and architectural design studies by Roger Williams University Professors Mark Sawoski, Charles Hagenah, and Patrick Charles. These Working Papers were presented for discussion, strategic working sessions, and debate at the Inaugural Conference of the Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy in April 2004 outlined below.

Macro Conference, April 15-16, 2004
New Land for Peace: Constructing Prosperity in the Middle East

“New Land for Peace: Constructing Prosperity in the Middle East” was a gathering of 100+ international leaders and professionals, scholars and students held at Roger Williams University. The Conference was conceived as a “Decision Seminar”, seeking to develop and test potentials of the large scale project initiatives aimed at increasing prosperity and environment improvements in Gaza and the region. An 8-page illustrated Conference Report documenting the Conference was produced.

Preliminary Project Proposal Working Group and Study Group, May-August 2004

The Preliminary Project Proposal emerged from the Working Papers and Conference, through further development taken up by a six-person Working Group and 13-person Study Group in Summer 2004. The Working Group was composed of those who were central in establishing the Working Papers and the Conference--Ernst Frankel, Frank Davidson, Roger Williams University Professors Mark Sawoski, Charles Hagenah, Patrick Charles and Stephen White. The group convened in early May 2004, reaching a preliminary consensus on the scope of the project proposal.

This scope was reviewed with further comment and suggestions from an interdisciplinary 13-person Study Group that convened in Montfort l”Amaury, France from June 23-25, 2004. The Study Group consisted of Renaud Abord de Chatillon, Ingenieur-General des Mines, and consultant to the French Ministry of Environment; Maurice Armand, Director of International Investments, Credit Lyonnais (retired); Philippe Bernard, Professor, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris (retired); Christoph von Braun, Former Director, Research + Development Strategy, Siemens Corporation, Munich; Jean Paul Calon, General Counsel, Suez Canal Company (retired); Patrick Charles; Frank Davidson; Elizabeth DeBlois, Undersea Environment Specialist, US Navy; Karl Sabbagh, Author, England; Henri Teissier du Cros, Member, Conseil d’Etat (Supreme Administrative Court), France(retired); Collette Teissier du Cros, Architectural historian, France; Stephen White; and William Yale, attorney.

In July and August 2004, the Preliminary Project Proposal was re-drafted in response to these multiple inputs, and to emerging events in the Middle East. Additional maps and illustrations were developed. Leadership in this area was taken up by Sawoski, Hagenah, and Charles.

Stephen White
Director, Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy