The mental image of the staff of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States regarding the European Union's foreign policy on Arab issues: A survey study

Abstract

 A mental image is a complex construct of perceptions and understandings formed in the mind of an individual or group regarding a specific subject. It transcends mere knowledge or superficial impressions, encompassing psychological structures that influence how reality is interpreted and interacted with. Therefore, our current study aims to reveal the mental image formed by employees of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States regarding the European Union's foreign policy towards Arab issues, and to understand their subjective impressions of it, particularly given that the research population consists of individuals with diplomatic and political interests in Arab society. The research aims to: uncover the sources that shape the mental image of the General Secretariat employees of the League of Arab States regarding the European Union's foreign policy. The research was conducted on employees working in the International Political Affairs sector at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, using a comprehensive sample comprised of the following departments:

- Department of Africa and Arab-African Cooperation.

- Department of American Affairs, Department of Europe and Arab-European Cooperation.

- Department of Asia, Australia and Arab-Asian Cooperation.

- Department of International Organizations.

- Department of Arms Control and Disarmament.

The study, which included a comprehensive sample of 60 respondents from all departments within the university, was conducted with the guidance of a scientific expert*. The research yielded several findings, including: The results showed that the respondents' mental image is primarily shaped within a professional and institutional framework, where direct experience and official reports play a decisive role, while the importance of indirect sources diminishes. This indicates that real-world, formal interaction with relevant parties is more influential than indirect exposure to information.

• The study also highlights the crucial importance of direct professional experience and institutional interaction with the European Union in shaping the respondents' mental image. It is clear that direct practical interaction is the most influential factor compared to indirect sources, thus reinforcing the role of real-world experience in forming and solidifying impressions.

The study results indicate that the mental image of the European Union among the respondents is characterized by a clear duality, as it is viewed positively in the areas of cooperation and development, while this positivity declines when evaluating its positions on sensitive Arab issues, indicating a gap between its developmental role and perceptions of neutrality and justice in its policies.