The West Asia Group promotes knowledge exchange, international cooperation, trade, and investment between Canada and West Asian countries such as Turkey, Arab countries, and Iran. The Group's main aim is to build deep links between these two critical regions of the world by raising their level of interaction, understanding, and cooperation in key arenas.

The hallmarks of the West Asia Group's work are its original research, and the potency of the networks it builds across industry, government, NGO, and educational sectors. Our knowledge production and dissemination activities, and the networks of cooperation we design, give our collaborators and partners key tools to succeed, while serving the common good.


Given its aim of building deeper links between North America and West Asia, The West Asia Group is focused on harnessing the potential of West Asian communities in North America, tapping into the vast human capital and potential of Arab, Turkish, and Iranian diaspora communities in Canada, the U.S., Europe, and beyond.


Our Team 
 
WAG is led by Dr. Alidad Mafinezam, an internationally recognized scholar of comparative public policy and an innovative convener. He brings 15 years of scholarship and high level involvement in policy work spanning numerous continents. He is deeply familiar with the complexities of the relationship between North America and West Asia. Equally important are the advisors and research associates of WAG, who perform world class work and open new doors for our collaborators in all sectors. For a bio on Dr. Mafinezam, please see: http://www.onlinecic.org/.profile/amafinezam


Areas of Focus 
 
   •  Comparative diaspora and immigration research
     Academic exchange and collaboration
     Joint Ventures in Educational and Philanthropic Arenas
     Comparative policy research
     Urban and Regional Design/Clusters of Innovation
     Raising the profile of West Asian communities