Sunday, May 15, 2011

CONFERENCE: The Role of Civil Society in Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution and Democratization


The Rumi Forum in collaboration with
the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs at
Georgetown University, cordially invites you to the conference: 
"The Role of Civil Society in Peacebuilding,
Conflict Resolution, and Democratization" 

 THURSDAY, MAY 26th, 2011
at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs at Georgetown University, 3rd Floor Conference Room
  

Civil society is not only important; it is an essential part of the proper functioning of the state. Acting as a link, civil society helps to initiate, promote and strengthen comprehensive and objective dialogue between governments and their people. In such a way, civil society fosters conflict resolution, advances human rights and promotes better democratization processes in countries. Moreover, because of its flexible, multidimensional and non-rigid structure, civil society has the capability to constantly adapt to rapid global changes. The purpose of the conference is to gain a better understanding of the role of civil society in the functioning of the state, and advancement of democracy and universal human rights.
Conference Program

Registration & Breakfast ~ 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks ~ 9:00 a.m.
Katherine Marshall, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs
Emre Celik, Rumi Forum

PANEL I ~ 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.:
“Civil Society, Democratization and Conflict Resolution”

Moderator: Jonathan Landay, McClatchy News

Marina Ottaway, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
“Civil Society and Democratization: Which Civil Society?”

Joshua Foust, American Security Project
"Foreign Bias in Local Governance in Central Asia"

Angel Rabasa, RAND Corporation
(To be updated)


PANEL II ~ 10:35 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.:
“Civil Society and Peacebuilding and Education”

Moderator: Katherine Marshall, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs
Mohamed Nimer, American University

"Gulen's Soft Power Approach: Lessons for Arab Political Reform"
Bilal Wahab, George Mason University

“Civil Society in Iraq: Homegrown or Market Response?”
Stanley Kober, Cato Institute
(To be updated)

Break - Light Lunch Refreshments Provided ~ 12:00 to 12:15 p.m.

PANEL III ~ 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.:
“Case Studies: The Importance of Civil Society”
Moderator:(To be updated)

Catherine Cosman, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom "Religious communities in Post-Soviet States"

Mehmet Kalyoncu, Independent Analyst
“Building Civil Society in Ethno-Religiously Fractured Communities”

Alisher Khamindov, SAIS, Johns Hopkins University
"International Donors, Civil Society and Peacebuilding: Lessons from Central Asia"

Closing Remarks ~ 1:30 p.m.


Click here to see full Bios and Synopsis

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