Norwich University, Creating Connections: New Partnerships for Understanding in the Middle East

Creating Connections: New Partnerships for Understanding in the Middle East
October 6th-7th, 2007, Norwich University

Norwich University, the Vermont Peace Academy, and Vermont Council on World Affairs held a conference at Norwich University to consider how grassroots and civil society organizations can network to improve communication and understanding between the United States and the Middle East. The conference brought together leading experts on the Middle East, key government representatives, and leaders of non-government organizations and civil society institutions, to begin to identify small, locally based initiatives that can create partnerships and networks with their counterparts in the Middle East to help build greater understanding from the ground up.

Welcome: Dr. Richard Schneider, President, Norwich University or Download

Plenary Session: Exploring U.S.-Middle East Relations: Past and Present

From left to right: Dr Richard Schneider (at podium), Dr. Hal Kearsley,
Laurence Pope, Dr. Febe Armanios, Dr. Gregory Gause

Moderator: Dr. Harold Kearsley, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, School of Graduate Studies, Norwich University
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Dr. Febe Armanios, Professor of History, Middlebury College or Download

Dr. Gregory Gause, Professor of Political Science and Middle East Studies, University of Vermont College
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Laurence Pope, Retired Ambassador, United States of America or Download

Question and Answer Session or Download

Roundtable Discussion: Essential Steps to Improving Communication between the West and the Middle East
How do grassroots organizations in the U.S. and the Middle East start a dialogue? Are there civil society organizations within the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Iran or Syria that are most appropriate for grassroots partnerships? What are the biggest obstacles? Can they be overcome?

From Left: Dr. Mark Schulman, Alina Romanowski,
Laura Abrahams Schulz, David Hamod, David Marash

Moderator: Dr. Mark Schulman, President, Goddard College or Download

David Marash, News Anchor, Al Jazeera Television or Download

David Hamod, President, National U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce or Download

Alina L. Romanowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. State Department or Download

Laura Abrahams Schulz, Civil Society and Rule of Law Program Manager, Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative, U.S. State Department
or Download

Question and Answer Session or Download

Lunch Keynote: Dr. Saleem H. Ali, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Education, Rubenstein School of Environment, University of Vermont
Environmental Cooperation in the Middle East: A Catalyst for Peace?

Supporting Organizations
Aiken Lecture Series
New Vision Foundation
Vermont Humanities Council
Vermont Peace Education Fund