The conferences, workshops, seminars and other forums that KAPSARC sponsors provide regional gathering places for the exchange of information and the generation of dialogue on the subjects of energy policy, environmental policy and technology. They enable the dissemination of KAPSARC-funded research; encourage the creation of networks and relationships among Saudi, Middle Eastern, and global energy policy and technology experts; and offer opportunities for exposure to Saudi researchers and students who focus on these topics.
For example, the KAPSARC Annual Conference brings in high-profile international speakers to present to a regional audience of high-level executives and policy leaders. At times, seminars may take advantage of Eminent Scholars to educate Saudi policy leaders, researchers and teachers, or to allow KAPSARC-sponsored researchers to share knowledge gained during their studies abroad. KAPSARC also conducts other public and private meetings with the objective of obtaining, exchanging and disseminating information on particular subjects. There are a wide range of goals for such programs, including:
- Disseminating research results to the public
- Soliciting expert reviews of and recommendations for program/project outputs
- Sharing knowledge, information and perspectives on target topics
- Encouraging policy debate and the exchange of independent views
- Influencing decision making on policy issues
- Building consensus among key stakeholder groups on specific issues
- Providing a forum for networking and participation
- Educating key audiences on certain issues
- Developing awareness and reputation of KAPSARC as an institution
KAPSARC also conducts workshops on specific topics, around which the individual and collective knowledge and insights of experts is solicited. They are typically small in scale—between 10 and 15 participants—to maximize inputs and exchanges among all invitees. These meetings are generally private (meaning off the record and limited to invitees) in order to encourage open discourse.
