Public Panel Tackles Middle East, North African Political Changes

What started as a civilian uprising earlier this year in Tunisia became a demand for representative leadership from North Africa to the Middle East. What are the implications for the West and the rest of the world in the wake of this seemingly sudden rejection of autocratic regimes?

For a better understanding of these ever-evolving events, join moderator Gregor Craigie of CBC radio's “On the Island” and a panel of UVic experts for a free public discussion “Revolution in the Middle East and North Africa: Origins and Repercussions” on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bob Wright Centre, room B150.

UVic business professor Basma Majerbi, originally from Tunisia, will introduce the issues. UVic historian Martin Bunton will provide a historical perspective on the Arab world and the events that led to this year’s remarkable changes. Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordon Smith, director of UVic’s Centre for Global Studies, will discuss the western and global implications of these political changes. Andrew Wender, who teaches in UVic’s Departments of Political Science and History, will explain how religion and politics intersect as part of these political developments. UVic post-doctoral fellow Adel Younis (from Libya) and Centre for Studies in Religion and Society associate fellow Mona Goode (from Egypt) will add the personal perspectives of those watching from a distance as their homelands undergo seismic political change.

The panel is free and open to the public and there will be a question period following the presentations. The discussion will be webcast at globalcentres.org/seminars.php. The event is sponsored by UVic’s Vice-President Academic and Provost, Gustavson School of Business, Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Political Science and the Centre for Global Studies.
 

-- 30 --