Conference on Middle East to Feature Top Arab Representative
Feb-26-2009 
In keeping with Eastern Illinois University's tradition of bringing world events closer to home, an all-day conference on the Middle East has been scheduled to take place on campus.
Hussein Hassouna, ambassador from the League of the Arab States to the U.S., will present the conference's keynote address at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 9, in the Theatre of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.
An open reception, with light snacks, will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the 1895 Room, MLK Jr. Union.
The League of the Arab States is a regional organization similar to the Pan American Union, the European Union, the Organization of African Unity, etc. It was established in 1945 to coordinate the common affairs and goals of the Arab countries of the world. Today, there are 21 member states belonging to the League. Hassouna represents all of the Arab nations in Washington.
In addition to the keynote address, the conference will feature three separate panel discussions on specific topics related to Iran, Iraq and Israel/Palestine. These will take place in the Charleston/Mattoon Room of the MLK Jr. Union.
Panel discussion topics include "The Future of Iraq," 12:30 to 2 p.m.; "The Challenges of Iran to the West and the Arab World," 2 to 3:30 p.m.; and "Palestine and Israel: A Two-State Solution," 3:30 to 5 p.m.
These discussions will permit a dialogue between representatives of the Arab and the Israeli governments, as well as some of Eastern's own faculty and student panelists. The pros and cons to any proposals for solution will be debated by individuals who actually lived through various crises.
Admission to all events is free and open to the public.
