Media Alert: University of Montana to host 7th Annual Central and Southwest Asia Conference April 22-24

Conference On Central, Southwest Asia At UM April 22-24

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Written by Jennifer Sauer Thursday, 16 April 2009 16:46

UM will host the Seventh Annual Central and Southwest Asia Conference at UM from Wednesday to Friday, April 22-24.

April 16, 2009

Contact: Brian Lofink, UM Central and Southwest Asia Program coordinator, 406-243-2299, brian.lofink@mso.umt.eduThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CONFERENCE ON CENTRAL, SOUTHWEST ASIA AT UM APRIL 22-24

MISSOULA –

The University of Montana will host the Seventh Annual Central and Southwest Asia Conference at UM from Wednesday to Friday, April 22-24.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is presented by UM’s Central and Southwest Asia Program. The theme of this year’s conference is “Beyond the Headlines: Peace and Conflict in Central and Southwest Asia.”

The conference will bring internationally renowned scholars, diplomats, analysts and journalists to UM to engage the campus and the community in a discussion about the challenges countries in Central and Southwest Asia are facing and how those challenges impact the United States.

A complete conference schedule with information about all speakers is online at http://www.umt.edu/ip/newsevents/centralasiaconference.aspx.

Wednesday, April 22:

• 7-9 p.m.: Keynote presentation — “Islam in the New Afghan Public Sphere,” University Center North Ballroom.

Thursday, April 23:

• 9:30-11 a.m.: “Tajikistan: An Ancient Nation in Transition,” University Center North Ballroom.
• 12:30-2 p.m.: Keynote presentation — “Independence, Civil War and International Mediation: Tajikistan’s Path to Peace,” University Center North Ballroom.
• 2:30-4 p.m.: “On the Frontline: Afghanistan and the Struggle Against Terrorism,” University Center North Ballroom.
• 7-9 p.m.: Keynote panel — “Terrorism, Counter-terrorism and Human Rights in Israel and Palestinian Territories,” University Center North Ballroom.

Friday, April 24:

• 10:30 a.m.-noon: “Kyrgyzstan and the New Great Game,” University Center Theater.
• 1-3 p.m.: “The Role of Arabic as a Language of War and Peace,” University Center Theater.
• 2 p.m.: Tajik Corner Opening Ceremony, University Center Room 220.
• 3:30-5 p.m.: “Confrontation in the Caucasus: The Conflict Between Georgia and Russia,” University Center Theater.
• 7-9 p.m.: Keynote presentation — “Islamist Movements in the Arab World, Iran and Afghanistan and the Potential of U.S. Engagement,” University Center Theater.

The conference is sponsored by the University’s Central and Southwest Asia Program, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, International Programs, the Office of the Provost and UM President George Dennison, the Office of the Provost, the Montana World Affairs Council and Humanities Montana.