MESA Description and Mission Statement Proposed Changes

Current Description and Mission Statement: (mission statement in yellow)
MESA is a private, nonprofit, non-political organization of scholars and other persons interested in the study of the Middle East, North Africa and the Islamic world. MESA is dedicated to promoting high standards of scholarship and instruction, to facilitating communication among scholars through annual meetings and publications, and to promoting cooperation among those who study the Middle East. From its inception in 1966 with 50 founding members, MESA has increased its membership to more than 2,600 and has become a leading international organization for those involved in the study of the Middle East. MESA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by the membership. The association is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies, and a member of the National Council of Area Studies Associations and the National Humanities Alliance.

Proposed Description and Mission Statement: (mission statement in yellow)
The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) is a private, non-profit, non-political learned society that brings together scholars, educators and those interested in the study of the region from all over the world. From its inception in 1966 with 50 founding members, MESA has increased its membership to more than 2,600 and now serves as an umbrella organization for more than sixty institutional members and thirty-nine affiliated organizations. The association is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies, the National Council of Area Studies Associations, and a member of the National Humanities Alliance. As part of its goal to advance learning, facilitate communication and promote cooperation, MESA sponsors an annual meeting that is a leading international forum for scholarship, intellectual exchange and pedagogical innovation. It is responsible for the International Journal of Middle East Studies, the premiere journal on the region, the MESA Bulletin and a quarterly newsletter. An awards program recognizes scholarly achievement, service to the profession and exemplary student mentoring. MESA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by the membership. In 2004 the association redefined its mission:

MESA is a non-political association that fosters the study of the Middle East, promotes high standards of scholarship and teaching, and encourages public understanding of the region and its peoples through programs, publications and services that enhance education, further intellectual exchange, recognize professional distinction, and defend academic freedom.

Back to President's Letter