2012 Middle East Workshops
From the Arab Spring to the end of the war in Iraq to the continuing Israeli/Palestinian conflict – the Middle East is in the midst of major changes. We will look at the issues of economy and the Arab Spring, military and development assistance, the economics of occupation, and continued peacebuilding in the region.
Workshops Coordinator: Catherine Gordon, Representative for International Issues, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness
Session I – Saturday, March 24, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
The Economics of The Arab Spring
The Arab Spring has been described as the most dramatic political mass movement since the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall. What are the underlying causes and future challenges of the Arab Spring? What role if any did the factors of unemployment, poverty, and income inequality have in galvanizing the movement? How will the Arab Spring help to
reshape the Middle East?
Hope for Things to Come? Prospects for Peace in the Holy Land
Hopes for Middle East peace have reached vaulted highs and dismal lows in the past few years. But the newly emerging situation in the greater Middle East could create real opportunities for resolving the decades old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians that has been festering for decades. The question is, are our leaders able to take advantage o those opportunities?
Speaker: Ambassador Warren Clark – Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace
Session II – Saturday, March 24, 2:15 – 3:45 pm
The Economics of Occupation
What are the economic implications of the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem – for Palestinians, for Israelis, for the United States? How can we respond?
Speakers: Mark Koenig, Director, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations; Ryan Smith, Presbyterian Representative to the United Nations.
Session III – Sunday, March 25, 11:00 am – 12:30
Iran
Co-sponsored with Peace and Global Security Workshops
Come learn about current U.S. policy toward Iran and how it is impacted by the upcoming U.S. election. Discussion will include how to deal peaceably and effectively with Iran and the need for sustained and flexible diplomacy.
Speaker: Trita Parsi, National Iranian American Council; Stephen Miles, Win Without War; Jim Winkler, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society