International Space Stations (ISS) circling the planet by NASA
Algerian Desert, photograph by Amine M'Siouri on Pexels
Scientists collaborating on plant research by Shutterstock
Peace. Prosperity. Sustainable Futures.
Building International Cooperation & Science Diplomacy
Our Mission
We build international understanding, peace, and cooperation through engaging dialogue, media, research and analysis, and leadership development focused on key problems and innovative solutions essential to our collective future.
We fight hate. We build peace.
People-to-People.
Science diplomacy is the use of scientific collaborations among nations to address common problems and to build constructive international partnerships.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, seventh King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with U.S. President Joseph Biden.
Hassan Ammar/AP
One of the first women to be awarded the International Women of Courage Award, Dr. Samia al-Amoudi was congratulated by Joseph and Jill Biden in 2007.
Dr. al-Amoudi is a gynecologist, advocate and CEO of Sheikh Mohammed Hussien Al-Amoudi Center of Excellence in Breast Cancer in Saudi Arabia. Ranked in the 100 Most Powerful Arabs by Gulf Business Magazine.
ISS from space by NASA
Bringing a Global Outlook & Science Diplomacy to
U.S. - MENA Relations
Quasar International Institute is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to building understanding & building bridges. Quasar develops cooperation, collaborations, and strategic partnerships. We enhance U.S. awareness, knowledge and understanding of Arab countries, the Middle East, and the Islamic world, and we enhance MENA (Middle East and North Africa) awareness, knowledge and understanding of the U.S.
It's not our differences that divide us. It's our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences.
Audre Lorde
A President & A King
On February 14, 1945, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud aboard the USS Quincy. This was the beginning of the long-term historic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
FDR, a Democrat, and Ibn Saud could not have been more different men, but they quickly developed a strong rapport. The King mentioned his legs were getting weaker, and FDR immediately gave him one of his two wheelchairs. The King called it his "most precious possession." The king was also treated to delicious dishes, including apple pie a la mode, which quickly became one of his favorite foods. Then FDR had the U.S. Navy cook train the King's staff how to bake a pie. FDR also refrained from smoking and drinking out of respect for Ibn Saud's religious and cultural practices, unlike Britain's leader, Winston Churchill.
These gestures of generosity, hospitality and cultural respect led Ibn Saud to declare "I have never met the equal of the President in character, wisdom, and gentility." Ever since, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship that has led to stability and economic growth for decades.
Our Focus
3 Goals
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Peace
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Prosperity
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Sustainable Futures
3 Strategies
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Media & Storytelling
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Research & Training
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Strategic Partnerships
3 Sectors
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Health
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Sustainability
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Advanced Technologies
3 Challenges
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Global Health
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Climate Change
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Water & Food Security
Culture, religion, and history are critical to building understanding and partnerships in space, sustainability and health. Appreciating each other's heritage helps people from different backgrounds and nationalities find common ground.
Diverse Disciplines But Common Vision
Quasar has expertise in:
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Video & TV Production
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Journalism, News Media, & Social Media
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Outreach, Storytelling, & Marketing
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Public Diplomacy & Soft Power
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Peace Research & Conflict Resolution
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Geopolitical Risk Analysis
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Leadership Development
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Health Technology & Innovation
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Reforestation, Biodiversity, & Water Management
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Regenerative Agriculture
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Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) Sustainability
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Societal Impacts & Humanitarian Issues
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Cultural Heritage Preservation & Cross-Cultural Learning
Geopolitical factors and societal issues such as refugees, migrant and foreign workers, human trafficking, gender inclusion, and other societal and humanitarian challenges are critical to pursuing these 3 key sectors and addressing these 3 core challenges.
The Kaaba in the center of the mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is Islam's most sacred site.
What We Do
Media & Storytelling
Video, TV, Media & Public Engagement
Ouasar team members bring years of experience in video and TV production, international news media, and public advocacy and marketing campaigns, as well as in event planning, social media, visual design, and storytelling. Team members have launched a public TV series called "Diplomacy-at-Risk!" featuring U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and other top U.S. diplomats, been a news commentator and analyst for France 24, created a Twitter account with over 30,000 followers, oversaw development of an innovative partnership with CNN focused on modern day slavery, planned events for Fortune 500 firms at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and hosted a press conference at the National Press Club to spotlight veterans' mental health. Our team has created impactful TV shows, compelling content, and unique stories and points of view to engage everyone from national leaders to communities and youth.
Research & Training
Peace, Conflict Resolution & Geopolitical Risk Research
Ouasar's team is engaged in research on peace, conflict resolution, and geopolitical risk. Dr. Zeyad Alshammari is an internationally ranked geopolitical analyst who has researched issues ranging from U.S. elections to migrant workers in MENA and the impact of COVID-19 on politics in Latin America. He has held multiple research positions, and as a college professor he teaches international relations. His book "Political Uprisings and the Arab Monarchies: The Survival of the Saudi Arabian Monarchy" is available on Amazon. Dr. Kasun Millawithanachchi is creating the first "Peace Index" for each of the 50 U.S. states, and has researched religious and sectarian violence in Sri Lanka. He partnered with Carol Loftur-Thun to present a paper on "Civil Society, NGOs, and Peace Techniques--A Comparison of U.S. and MENA Non-State Actors, Resources, and Promising Strategies" at Qatar University in Doha. Carol is writing her dissertation on "Science Diplomacy, Leadership, and Trust in Government: COVID-19 and Its Implications for Health Diplomacy, Health Security, and Conflict Resolution."
Youth Development
Drawing on our team's experiences, we provide opportunities for U.S. and MENA students and early career professionals to engage in international learning, including projects and research, as well as learn leadership skills. Quasar can assist students in learning more about U.S. Congressional internships and applying to NASA's DEVELOP program and the U.S. Department of Education's CubeSat Program. Students and young adults can learn and be prepared to help solve core challenges in water, food security, health, and climate change, as well as promote peace, prosperity, and sustainable futures, as outlined in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .
Students can build tiny pico satellites with sensors, use computing software and AI, analyze geospatial imaging and other data, and participate in NASA, CubeSat & ThinSat projects.
Students also get a chance to learn about each other's heritage and culture, and gain professional experience and leadership development skills. Quasar publishes students' articles, artwork, and reports on Saudi Arabia, Gulf States, and the Middle East in its digital magazine, reports, and social media.
Training for Government, Business & Civil Society
Quasar provides opportunities for officials, researchers, and the public to learn and engage in dialogue, training, and leadership development to grow understanding between the U.S. and MENA region. We focus on how technologies like AI, Blockchain, geospatial imaging, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, and Big Data analytics can be used to promote cooperation and strategic partnerships in health, green and blue economies, and advanced technologies. Quasar promotes awareness of health equity and security, climate change, water management, food security, and other critical survival and security needs.
Leadership Training & Development
Nothing can help change our world more than changing ourselves. Leading change is more critical than ever. Quasar provides leadership training, coaching, and development for professionals and youth. Training and coaching is proven to improve performance and to accelerate team and organizational success. It allows individuals to be more confident and authentic, reduce stress, and see new options. Leadership training and coaching is for individuals at all levels--C-suite to students. Being a leader is a skill, a practice, & a mindset--not a title--because self-leadership is most important of all. Our team can help you listen well, be courageous, tame chaos, turn vision into results, create partnerships, and empower others to be exceptional.
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Science Diplomacy As a Strategy for Peace & Prosperity
Quasar provides opportunities to learn and build relationships and professional networks. We foster international strategic partnerships, promote cooperation, and strengthen ties by promoting innovative approaches in these three sectors so critical for our collective future. From the Rub' al Khali desert sand dunes in Saudi Arabia to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, dialogue, research, and training opportunities can help MENA and U.S. professionals develop strategic partnerships for international cooperation, economic and environmental collaboration, and fruitful business ventures.
Rub'al Khali (The Empty Quarter) in a NASA satellite photo showing salt flats from ancient lakes, evidence of a cooler, wetter climate on the Arabian Pennisula thousands of years ago
Our Approach:
Holistic & Multi-Faceted
With our team's holistic, multi-faceted perspectives, we see through multiple "lenses." Educational and innovative strategic partnerships can fail, not only due to technical or scientific challenges, but often due to a lack of awareness and sensitivity to cultural, political, religious, economic and historical perspectives. Our team brings together people with diverse expertise and training from a variety of practice areas and disciplines with a common vision and a commitment to support Quasar's mission and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Louvre Abu Dhabi by Olivier Chatel on Unsplash
Abu Dhabi Natonal Oil Company Building by Mitel Grover on Unsplash
Quarzazate Solar Plant in Morocco from NASA
Salt evaporation ponds near Dead Sea, Jordan, NASA
Media, TV & Publishing
We engage leaders, professionals and students in dialogue through media, TV and video, and conferences. Scientists, government officials, corporate leaders, and students can engage with experts on emerging geopolitical, cultural, space, sustainability, and health issues. Quasar also provides regular analysis and insights via reports, digests and media posts for NGOs, corporations and government agencies. We publish digital magazines, podcasts, videos and TV shows featuring research, articles, art and visual stories by participants to highlight learning experiences and project outcomes.
Research & Training
Quasar conducts research on peace, conflict resolution, and geopolitical risk. We provide training for both students and professionals. What makes Quasar unique is our combination of research, learning, leadership development, and our focus on health, sustainability, and advanced technologies. Quasar provides opportunities to learn about geospatial data, AI, 3D printing, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and other innovations to help address health, climate change, water, & food security.We bring together geopolitics, culture, heritage, art, and cutting edge technologies to promote peace.
Leadership Development
Both business and government leaders routinely identify leadership skills as critical for their organizations. Leadership can make peace, prosperity, and positive change possible for businesses, organizations and nations. Fortunately, leadership can be learned. We provide team and one-on-one leadership training and coaching to support professionals and students in learning to listen well, experimenting and take risks, having difficult conversations, gaining confidence, developing emotional intelligence, and becoming authentic leaders. Nothing can help change our world more than changing ourselves.
Capacity-Building
We provide consulting, training and capacity-building services for governments, businesses, and NGOs to support policy goals, business objectives, or charitable purposes. Quasar facilitates meaningful cooperation, impactful collaborations, and strategic partnerships. We enable people and organizations to maximize their strengths and impact. QII's team includes experts in geopolitical analysis and international relations; law; finance and accounting; change management and leadership; training and curriculum development; entrepreneurship; and communications, video production, visual design, and marketing.
Get in Touch
NASA space capsule at Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Quasar International Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental educational organization incorporated in the United States with offices in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia.
Internships:
Quasar provides internships for both American and International students and early career professionals. Please fill out the contact form and indicate your interest, degree, and experience as well as contact information.