Scientists should take the lead in calling for a two stage London International Conference to discuss the factors likely to influence prosperity in the wider Middle East, in the second half of this century. By thinking long term, we move well beyond the working life of most of the currently active players and conveniently dodge short term issues relating to revenge, macho posturing and voter appeasement.

During the first stage of the London Conference, expert witnesses would make long term predictions covering such factors as regional climate change, distribution of fresh water, oil based wealth and regional economic development within a global economy. Many of these economic factors do not respect national boundaries and can be addressed without reference to sensitive issues such as settlement disputes and sovereignty over the holy sites in Jerusalem.

The second stage of the conference would draw up a wish list of strategies and structures to be in place by the year 2050, to ensure that the peoples of the region can enjoy stability and prosperity during the second half of the century.

The conference would generate a set of long term regional economic goals which peace negotiators and all parties with an interest in the Middle East could focus their minds on. Most of these goals could be stated without even referring to "Israel" or "Palestine". This reverse engineering approach to peace, working backwards from the future, would stimulate new mind-sets, helping to release the negotiators and politicians from the historical baggage which hinders them today.