Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, a Jordanian senator and prominent advocate of intellectual property in the Arabic-speaking world, recently claimed the Middle East is on the verge of a "knowledge boom."

During a lecture at the Al-Asriyya Schools and Palestine International Institute, Abu-Ghazaleh claimed Arab countries should place a strong emphasis on the "manufacture of knowledge." According to Abu-Ghazaleh, development of intellectual property resources is critical for fostering sustained economic development in the region.

Abu-Ghazaleh told his audience that Arab youth have a primary role to play in transforming societies in the region into knowledge-centered economies.

"It is essential to change some concepts and set up new ones," he said. As people work toward encouraging investment in innovation and intellectual assets, however, they "should not forget that we are not a knowledge society yet."

Responsibility for affecting change in the region, according to Abu-Ghazaleh, lies "in the hands of the youth, who constitute the engine of creativity in the world of knowledge."

In order to promote fresh thinking and innovation among Arab youth, Abu-Ghazaleh is planning an Arab Youth Summit. The summit, originally proposed by Jordan's King Abdullah II, will be held under the auspices of the League of Arab States.