POMED is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for our upcoming series of conferences in the Middle East. These will bring together young American and European professionals with reformists working in the Middle East to examine political reform dynamics in Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt and the role of U.S. foreign policy on the prospects for reform in those countries. Ultimately, the conferences will produce recommendations for U.S. policymakers on how to improve the American impact in the region and how to more effectively and constructively support democracy.
Each conference will include panel discussions from Arab and American experts on U.S. foreign policy initiatives, assessments of the state of political reform in the region, and the role of the U.S. and Europe in assisting this reform. Primary topics of discussion will include: Elections & Political Processes; Religious Freedom and Inclusion; Women’s Rights and Empowerment; and Human Security and Development.
The 2009 conference schedule is as follows:
Amman, Jordan: October 7 – 9, 2009
Beirut, Lebanon: October 26 - 28, 2009
Cairo, Egypt: November 4 -6, 2009
Americans living in the U.S. or in the region, Europeans, as well as local young professionals residing in those respective countries ages 23-35are encouraged to apply. Each conference will include 15 Middle Easterners and 15 Americans and Europeans.
Applications are currently being accepted for all events, but due dates are quickly approaching and early applications will be given priority.
To view the complete conference announcement and complete an application please visit the following links:
This week, POMED and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation will host fifteen European, American, and Middle Eastern leaders for an intensive workshop on the future of multilateral action toward reform in the Middle East. Please join us on Friday, May 22 for a luncheon discussion of their findings with Nora Younis, journalist and blogger, Almasry Alyoum; David Adesnik, Doublethink Magazine; and Amir Motahari, European Commission, Directorate-General for External Relations.
Come join us for a very timely discussion of strategies for supporting democracy and human rights in Egypt. The upcoming visits by President Mubarak to Washington and President Obama to Cairo will be watched closely for signals as to the place of democracy and human rights in a changing U.S.-Egypt relationship. On Wednesday afternoon, POMED will be hosting an event on Capitol Hill marking the release of a new paper by Greg Aftandilian - Looking Forward: An Integrated Approach to Supporting Democracy and Human Rights in Egypt. Joining him for the discussion will be Neil Hicks, International Policy Advisor for Human Rights First; Tom Malinowski, Washington Advocacy Director for Human Rights Watch; and Ambassador Edward S. Walker, former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt and former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
Just some upcoming travel news about your imminently lame-duck Executive Branch:
Tomorrow, Secretary Rice begins a four-day trip to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt. A State Department statement says “she will meet with her Quartet counterparts and senior government officials to discuss efforts to achieve positive and lasting peace in the region, consistent with the Annapolis process and the shared goal of a two-state solution.”
Also, on November 13 President Bushwill meet with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdallah in New York at a UN meeting on interfaith dialogue.
The POMED Wire will, of course, bring you full analysis of these and other too-late diplomatic overtures.
And you can always check out POMED’s Events Calendar for a current listing of events in the Washington D.C. area related to democratic reform, U.S. foreign policy, and the Middle East.
And you can always check out POMED’s Events Calendar for a current listing of events in the Washington D.C. area related to democratic reform, U.S. foreign policy, and the Middle East.