Sulaimani, Iraq – Nov. 23, 2011 – The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) is pleased to announce “Liberty, Democracy, and the New Realities of the Middle East and North Africa,” a conference that will examine the challenges and promises of liberty and democracy occasioned by the recent events in Middle Eastern and North African states. The two-day conference, sponsored by The Achelis and Bodman Foundation, will be held in Sulamaini on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, 2011.

Conference discussions will be led by distinguished scholars and practitioners: Dr. Larry Diamond of Stanford University; former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill; Dr. Sandy Lakoff, University of California, San Diego; Mr. Eric B. Brown, The Hudson Institute; and Dr. Francois Zabbal, Institut du Monde Arabe.

“The very foundation of AUIS is linked to the prospect of liberal democracy in this post-conflict region,” said Dr. Athanasios Moulakis, president of AUIS. “This conference is very much a part of fulfilling that mission.”

AUIS is committed to furthering the global discussion about democracy and liberty in post-conflict societies. Conference participants will present original scholarly analyses of the political future of countries in the Middle East and North Africa and discuss their significance with AUIS students and faculty.  Attendance is limited to members of the AUIS community and invited guests.

Political, governmental, and academic leaders from throughout Iraq will join AUIS for a concluding forum on Friday, November 25, at 5 p.m. at the Amna Suraka Museum.  Media are invited to attend this event.

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For more information:
Kyle Long, AUIS Director of Communications, kyle.long@auis.edu.iq, +964 0770 461 5385