For weeks, the scene has been re-played on TV screens around the world, as if the events were breaking news: joyous Berliners dancing atop the infamous Wall, toppled 20 years ago on November 9, 1989. "Die Mauer ist Weck," the people cried out, punching their fists in the air before the cameras at the Brandenburg Gate. "The Wall is gone!"

About once a year, I go through an intense week of meetings, workshops, seminars and conferences that invigorate my sense of optimism and confidence in the capacity of the Arab world to transform itself from a militarized and polarized showcase of turbulence, abuse of power and vulnerability, to a condition of productive, creative decency, dignity and stability.