JHU SAIS to Host Middle East Human Rights Conference

The Johns Hopkins Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will hold a one-day human rights conference, "Middle East Agenda for Reform: Challenges and Opportunities" on Wednesday, 04/18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This conference, hosted by the SAIS Protection Project, will feature keynote remarks at 9:15 a.m. by Samir Shakir Sumaida'ie, ambassador of Iraq to the United States, and Naser Al Belooshi, ambassador of Bahrain to the United States, on the topic of "Indicators for Reform in the Middle East."

The conference will provide an in-depth analysis of human rights in the Middle East and of the mechanisms for the protection of human rights in order to promote a fuller observance of those rights in a just and balanced manner, formulating specific action plans to be taken up by the countries of the Middle East in the future. The conference participants also will introduce the new initiatives taken by the different governments in the region in various areas, including political, economic, social and cultural.

Expert speakers from government, NGOs, international organizations, news organizations and academia will speak throughout the day at the following sessions. For a complete agenda and list of speakers, go to www.protectionproject.org (Upcoming Events section).

• 9 a.m. -- Opening remarks by SAIS Dean Jessica Einhorn
• 9:15 a.m. -- Introductory remarks by Mohamed Mattar, Protection Project executive director, and keynote remarks by Ambassadors Samir Shakir Sumaida'ie and Naser Al Belooshi
• 11:15 a.m. -- Panel 1: "U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East"
• 1:30 p.m. -- Panel 2: "From Khatami to Ahmadinejad to What? The Future of Democracy in Iran"

The conference, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Kenney Auditorium, first floor of the SAIS Nitze Building at 1740 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Members of the public should RSVP to 202.663.5894 or [email protected].

Media who want to cover the event must contact Felisa Neuringer Klubes in the SAIS Public Affairs Office at 202.663.5626 or [email protected].