The Syrian Conflict and the Promotion of Reconciliation and its Implications for International Security
Conference organized by the Institute for Near Eastern Studies (University of Vienna), Terrorism Research Initiative and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Conference Language is English.
The conference seeks to provide an array of Syrian political actors who are present and active in Vienna and abroad an opportunity to provide insight into the current conflict, its violent and non-violent manifestations, and prospects for future reconciliation. The conference will provide a neutral environment for the exchange of perspectives on the interconnected issues of the promotion of civil society, political cooperation, violence, and the implications for international politics and security.
The conference venue at the Atelierhaus der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien will also host an exhibition of contemporary Syrian artists, reflecting the war through their photographic artwork.
Conference Agenda:
February 6, 2014
13:30 - 14:00 h
Opening remarks, introductions, programme review, and administrative announcements by Robert Wesley and Nico Prucha
Official opening of the exhibition "Syrian Perspectives on War"
14:00 - 14:30 h
Research Briefing by Cengiz Günay, Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip): "Syria at the Crossroads of Turkey and the EU"
15 Minutes coffee & tea break with snacks
14:45 - 15:15 h
Research Briefing, Noman Benotman, Quilliam Foundation: "How Jihadists managed to infiltrate a democratic Syrian revolution"
15:15 - 15:45 h
Supporting Women and Minorities, Marie-Therese Kiriakly, Verein für Arabische Frauen: "Minorities and Violence"
15:45 - 16:00 h
Research Briefing, Thomas Schmidinger, University of Vienna: "Syrian-Kurdistan and its Political Actors"
16:00 - 16:15 h
Kurdish Freedom Party (Azadi) / Kurdish National Council in Syria, Jamal Omari: "The Kurds and the Regime - Historical Dissent and Future Prospects"
60 Minutes Q&A with audience
17:15 - 17:45 h
Concluding remarks, coffee & tea with snacks
February 7, 2014
13:00 - 13:30 h
Opening remarks and introductions
13:30 - 14:00 h
Research Briefing, Rüdiger Lohlker, University of Vienna: "Social Media - A New Layer in Modern Warfare"
15 Minutes coffee & tea break with snacks
14:15 - 14:45 h
Syrian Opposition in Diaspora, Waleed Bonni: "The Syrian Revolution in the Context of Resistance"
14:45 - 15:15 h
(Former) National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (I'tilaf), Kamal al-Labwani: "Islamic Groups in the Syrian Conflict and their Ideology"
15:15 - 15:45 h
Syrian Muslim Brotherhood Executive Committee, Molham al-Droubi: "The Perception of the Syrian Revolution by the Brotherhood"
60 Minutes Q&A with audience
16:45 - 17:15 h
Writer and Syrian Affairs Correspondent, Tarafa Baghajati: "Syria before and after the Geneva I and II Talks"
15 Minutes coffee & tea break
17:30 - 17:45 h
concluding remarks, farewell and coffee & tea break with snacks