2014 Middle East Workshops

Seeking an End to Violence in Syria

Saturday, Mar 22, 2014, 11:00 am

The ongoing civil war in Syria is causing death to thousands and displacement to millions, and influx of military support on all sides continues to fuel this unfolding disaster. Faith groups are responding with a range of tools, from providing support to refugees to creating political space and support for Syrians who “believe in nonviolence as a means of achieving freedom, equality, dignity, and mutual coexistence to be one community of citizens in all its sects and identities.” Panelists with experience working on and in the conflict in Syria will provide a window into current developments, evolving regional factors, challenges facing Syrian refugees, and ways you can help support steps toward peace.

Speakers:

  • Shane Bristow, Director of St. Andrew’s Refugee Services in Cairo
  • Marie Dennis, Co-President, Pax Christi International
  • Rev. Robert O. Smith, Area Program Director for the Middle East and North Africa, ELCA Global Mission
  • Razek Siriani, Syrian, former Ecumenical and International Relations Office, Syrian Orthodox Bishopric.

Military Aid to the Middle East: An Investment in Injustice

Saturday, Mar 22, 2014, 2:45 pm

The lion’s share of U.S. military assistance flows to the Middle East – but has that aid brought stability or greater conflict? Panelists will discuss the overall picture of US military aid to countries in the Middle East, the impacts of a generation of militarized investment in the region, and what the faith community can do to advocate for conditioning or reducing military aid and investing instead in true human security for the region.

Speakers:

  • Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, Director, Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office

Protecting the Path to Peace With Iran

Saturday, Mar 22, 2014, 2:45 pm

A series of historic diplomatic steps are underway to peacefully resolve the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. But some in Congress have sought to undermine negotiators and take the United States and Iran off the path to a final diplomatic solution. Expert panelists will provide an update on the state of implementation of the initial deal reached in November, the potential impacts of this agreement, and ways members of the faith community can help to support meaningful, effective diplomacy.

Speakers:

  • Negar Mortazavi, Director of Persian and New Media, National Iranian American Council
  • Stephen Miles, Coalition Coordinator, Win Without War.

Moderator:

  • Mark Harrison, Director, Peace with Justice Program, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society

Israel/Palestine Negotiations: A Path to Peace?

Sunday, Mar 23, 2014, 1:30 pm

20 years after the Oslo Agreement set a “roadmap” for peace, land and resource confiscation have advanced unchecked, settlements have boomed, freedom of movement for Palestinians has been deeply restricted, and a peace ensuring the wellbeing of all in the region is far from sight. Can current negotiations avoid the failures of past processes and cut a path toward meaningful and lasting peace? Panelists will discuss the status of negotiations, prospective outcomes, implications for the situation on the ground, and how the faith community can support a lasting peace for Israeli and Palestinian people.

Speakers:

Moderator:

  • Dennis W. Frado, Director, Lutheran Office for World Community, ELCA & Main Representative at UN Headquarters, The Lutheran World Federation

Non-Violent Movements for Justice, Peace, and Democracy in the Middle East

Sunday, Mar 23, 2014, 1:30 pm

A look at non-violent movements in Israel and Palestine, throughout the Arab world, and around the globe focused on challenging oppression, advancing democracy, and accomplishing other human rights concerns in the Middle East. The workshop will include an update on how the Arab Spring has transformed the region and what the current challenges are, explore research assessing the success of non-violent vs. violent movements, and share ways the faith community can support non-violent movements for change in the region.

Speakers:

  • Tarek Abuata, Palestine Director, Christian Peacemaker Teams and Co-founder, Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace
  • Fatma (Huda) Almaghour, Libyan graduate student with the School for International Training (SIT) Graduate Institute

Moderator:

  • R. Aura Kanegis, Director, Office of Public Policy and Advocacy, American Friends Service Committee

Contributing Sponsors & Partner Organizations