International Conference on Egypt, Istanbul 2013

 

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is going through a phase of change. The coup d’Etat in Egypt has major impacts on the democratic processes in the region, and raises concerns in terms of long-term perspectives for development.

In cooperation with multiple international actors, the conference held in Istanbul on September 25th-26th 2013, aimed at bringing together, intellectual, practical and political participation, as a reflection on how to support human rights and build development policies in the region.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

First Day; Wednesday, 25th September 2013

09:30-10:30 Opening

• Organisers Opening Speech by the Muslim Thinkers Forum.
• Bekir Bozdağ, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister
• Opening Remarks by the International Forum for Islamic Parliamentarians
• Dr. Yusuf al-Qardawi, Chair of the the International Union of Muslim Scholars

10:30-11:00 Break

11:00-14:00

Session 1:
DEMOCRACY IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES

No. 1 Systems of government in the countries of the Arab Spring:

• Dr. Wael Qandil, The Egyptian Experience
• Abdulhamid Al-Jalasi, The Tunisian Experience
• Dr. Salim Beitalmal, The Libyan Experience

No. 2 Systems of Government during times of stability:

• Dr. Yasin Aktay, The Turkish Experience
• Dr. Abdullah Ahsan, The Malaysian Experience

14:00-16:00 Lunch

16:00-18:00

Session 2:
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE TO DEMOCRATIC CHANGES IN ARAB SPRING COUNTRIES

– Dr. Abdulmawjoud Al-Dardiri, The Response of Western governments
– Mohammed Al-Jawadi, The Response of Arab governments
– Ayşe Böhürler, The Response of International Organisations

18:00-20:00 Dinner

Second Day; Thursday, 26th September 2013

09:00-11:00 Workshops

• Workshop I
  International cooperation in support of liberties and democracy
• Workshop II
  Arab and regional coordination of civil society institutions in support of liberties and democracy

11:00-11:30 Coffee Break

11:30-13: 30

Session 3:
THE FUTURE OF LIBERTIES AND DEMOCRACY IN THE ARAB AND MUSLIM WORLDS

• Dr. Sami Al-Sa’adi, An assessment of the mechanisms of democary
• Waddah Khanfar, The future of Arab Spring countries
• Dr. Hamid Qweisi, Future Islamic political discourse

13:30-15:00 Prayer and Lunch Break

15:00-17:00

Session 4 (English):
THE FUTURE OF RELATIONS WITH WESTERN AND REGIONAL POWERS VIZ-A-VIZ DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOMS IN THE REGION

• Oliver McTernan
• Faisal Mayuliz

17:00- 18:00 Final Statement

Note: Simultaneous translation will be provided in English, Turkish and Arabic.

İstanbul Retaj Royale Hotel; Evren Mah. Cami Yolu Caddesi No:1A Gunesli 34212, Bagcilar