About Us

The Middle East Forum of Falmouth (MEFF) is a lecture and discussion series whose goal is to foster better understanding of the problems and possibilities of the Middle East by providing a broad range of information on the history and current issues of this complex area.  To this end, the Forum hosts speakers with Middle East expertise who can provide information and insights beyond that ordinarily presented in the conventional media.  

The Forum aims to present a balanced program, which often means sponsoring lectures that present differing and sometimes sharply conflicting views, both among the speakers and members of the audience. The views expressed in our lectures are those of the speaker, and do not necessarily represent the views of MEFF.

 

Each talk includes time for a presentation and for questions and discussion from the audience.

 

All MEFF lectures are open to the public and are free of charge.

 

History

This lecture series has been running since 2006, albeit in several formulations.  The original organization, “The Ad Hoc Committee for Peace and Justice in the Middle East,” was launched by friends and colleagues from the Falmouth Massachusetts summer community — several of them drawn from the ranks of academia and the U.S. diplomatic service.  From its inception the organization sought to present a wide variety of views and perspectives on the Middle East and its complex issues.  The lectures were presented in person at a local church, usually to a packed audience.

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In 2017 the members of the Ad Hoc Committee put out a call for volunteers to take over the lecture series.  The new group changed the name and obtained 501(c)3 status, but retained the original philosophy and lecture format.  Volunteers continue to run the organization and arrange all the lectures, which have been offered virtually since 2020 and the onset of the COVID pandemic.  (See Current Committee.)  

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The Middle East Forum of Falmouth is a volunteer-run

501(c)3 charitable organization.