In the past few years, the Arab world has witnessed a Web 2.0 boom with lots of start-ups and tech-based
experiments taking off in the region.

In this session, Donatella Della Ratta, Moeed Ahmad and Mohamad Najem, explored how social media are being used in the Arab world to mobilise people around a variety of pursuits including journalism, marketing, politics, innovation, creativity, and more.


Mooed Ahmad of Al Jazeera Network discussed how Al Jazeera's uses the social web, including the cost benefits and long term trends with a particular focus on "the state of now."

Mohamad Najem of Social Media Exchange described the use of social media in Lebanon. His primary focus was on the recent elections in Lebanon, including how initiatives and NGOs used social media and mobile sms technology and his personal experience with Sharek 961.