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The Prospects for Democracy: A Libyan-American Dialogue
Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, 23--Low Library Rotunda
Pre-registration required: at klm2126@columbia.edu.
U.S. & Libyan Scholars to Examine Prospects for Democracy
Conference at Columbia Reintroduces Libyas Academic Community to the United States
Columbia will host the first major delegation of scholars and policy analysts from Libya in 25 years at an academic conference exploring the prospects for democracy, March 22 and 23.
Prompted by the thaw in U.S.-Libyan relations under the Administration of George W. Bush, the two-day program is designed to reintroduce Libyas academic community to the United States. Among the highlights of the program is a planned teleconference Thursday afternoon with Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi, who will discuss his views with conference participants in New York on the prospects for democracy in the 21st century.
The conference will feature more than 50 university professors, researchers and analysts, including a number of younger social scientists from Libya who have never before had an opportunity to engage with their American counterparts. Faculty who will be participating include Professor of Contemporary Philosophy Ragab M. Budabbus, chairman and director general of the Academy of Jamahiri Thought; Associate Professor of Political Science Eva Bellin, Hunter College; and Associate Professor of International Relations Youssef M. Giuma Sawani, al-Fatah University.
Conferees will also include policy makers and representatives from NGOs, including Human Rights Watch. Among those to attend are David Welch, assistant secretary for Near Eastern Affairs; Mohamad T. H. Siala, Libyas Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; and Ambassador Richard W. Murphy, former assistant secretary for the Near East and South Asia. The conference is co-sponsored by Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, Tripolis Green Book Center and al-Fatah University.
Conference organizers hope the exchange will strengthen research and university-level instruction in Libya.
We have allotted a substantial amount of time during the two-day conference for informal discussion among American and Libyan colleagues about trends in higher education and about designing programs and opportunities for further collaboration in research and training, said Professor Lisa Anderson, dean of SIPA and a co-sponsor of the conference.
Conference Agenda
Wednesday, March 22:
Opening Remarks and Light Breakfast, 9 a.m.
The History and Theory of Democracy, 10 a.m. to noon.
Democracy and the Market, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Democracy and Human Rights, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 23:
Opening Remarks and Light Breakfast, 9 a.m.
Democracy and the World Order, 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Concluding panel discussion that will include Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi via teleconference, scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
All proceedings will take place in Low Library on the Universitys Morningside campus. Enter at 116th and Broadway Street. N.Y.P.D. or U.N. media credentials required.
Media and guests must pre-register at klm2126@columbia.edu.
For updated information on the conference, including the final program of panelists, check the SIPA Web site: http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/. Also please visit: http://prospectsfordemocracy.net/en/index.php
About the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
The world's only global public policy school, Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs provides its students with the skills and knowledge to pursue distinguished careers in government, business, the media, and non-profit, non-governmental and international organizations. Its faculty, students and alumni are committed to enhancing the public good: providing social services, supporting human rights, building markets, protecting the environment and resolving conflicts.
About Columbia University
Founded in 1754 as Kings College, Columbia University in the City of New York is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and today is one of the worlds leading academic and research institutions. For more information about Columbia University, visit http://www.columbia.edu .