Arab Impulse | Debate
The Mediterranean Sea basin-this transcultural region where three continents meet, three biggest religions of the world, the cradle of civilization and the democracy, is today the region of the most ferocious conflicts.
The riots, described in Europe as "The Arab Spring" took over the Middle East and North Africa, focusing the world public opinion as well as in Poland. The demands of the instant reforms of the economy and the human rights, climaxed in mass demonstrations against the arrogance of the governments.
The spring of Arab nations overthrowing totalitarian regimes had diverse backgrounds and genesis. It was corruption of the top administrations, the violations of the human rights, demographic problems, unemployment, kleptocracy, sectarianism...The revolutionary determination of the protesters derived mainly from the limitations of civil rights and burdens of everyday life of the people living, in the majority, on the verge of poverty and misery.
The dimension of the Arab Spring-understanding of the complex political processes and changes of civilization-needs a wider, interdisciplinary look, as well as some modesty and balance in European interpretation and estimation of its importance and impact.
The ongoing experts, scientists or journalists discussions concerning the changes in Arab countries do not always reflect the complexity of the phenomenon. Comparing those events to European so-called Autumn of Nations, reveals discrepancy. Although bringing out solidarity revolution in Poland is not unjustified: in both cases we encounter years of rising social disagreement, finally finding vent...
To discuss the problems of the transformations of the Arab Spring, seen in wider international contexts, we invite you to Gdansk, where we attentively watch the world processes behind rising to freedom.
Discussion panels:
Multi-ingredients project co-realised with the Pomeranian Association for Integration of Arts and Culture "One World", the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre, the European Solidarity Center, in cooperation with the Institute of Political Science of University of Gdansk consists of such thematic blocs:
i. Genesis and specifics of Arab revolutions
ii. Women's revolution ?
iii. The world towards changes
Conference program:
6 November, Wednesday, Old Town Hall, 33/ 35 Korzenna St.
PANELS
12.30 12.00–14.30 panel I: Origins and specific featuresof Arab revolutions
Moderated by: Michał Żakowski (Polskie Radio)
panellists:
prof. Leila Nachawati (Syria, Spain), Carlos III University in Madrid
The importance of (online) data curation and placing information in context: the Syrian case.
prof. dr hab. Selim Chazbijewicz, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn "Islam as a Factor of Arab Spring"
Sihem Bensedrine (Tunesia) an outstanding journalist and human rights activist
dr Hayssam Obeidat, The Institute of Middle and Far Eastern Studies of the Jagiellonian University "The Influence of Arab Spring on Geostrategic Balance and Its Impact"
dr Konrad Pędziwiatr, Tischner European University in Kraków
"Is Political Islam in Egypt dead?"
dr Bartłomiej Nowotarski, Wrocław University of Economics
"Is it the end of the Arab Spring? The Reasons for the Crises".
dr Adam Wąs, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL)
"The Political Strategy of the Muslim Brothers in Jordan".
14.30 –15.30 break
15.30–17.00 panel II: Women’s Revolution?
Moderated by: Agnieszka Lichnerowicz (Radio TOK FM)
prof. Leila Nachawati, Carlos III University w Madrycie
dr Izabela Kończak, Department of Middle East and North Africa Studies, University of Lodz -"The Role of Women in the Arab–Muslim World"-
dr Marta Woźniak, Department of Middle East and North Africa Studies, University of Lodz -"From the „Revolutionary” to the „Victim”: Egyptian Women F ight for Their Rights"-
dr Fuad Jomma, Institute of Political Science and European Studies, University of Szczecin - "The Role of Women in Arab Spring – the Case of Syria"-
7 November, Thursday, Old Town Hall, 33 /35 Korzenna St.
PANELS
12.00–14.30 panel III: The World and Poland in face of the Changes
moderation: Jerzy Haszczyński (Rzeczpospolita)
panellists:
dr hab. Radosław Bania, Department of Middle East and North Africa Studies, University of Lodz -"The position of President Barack Obama’s Administration on Arab Spring"-
prof. Rafał Ożarowski, the Institute of Political Science, University of Gdansk - "Arab Spring and Political Changes in the Middle East"-
dr hab. Justyna Zając, The Institute of International Relations , University of Warsaw -"Poland’s Role in Supporting the Arab Spring: Unilateral actions or a Contribution to the Development of the CFSP?" -
dr Jarosław Jarząbek, Section of Eastern Studies, The Institute of International Relations , University of Wrocław _"The Influence and Consequences of the Arab Spring on the Security of Israel"-
dr Marcin Szydzisz Institute of International Studies, University of Wrocław - “Arab Spring” and the Palestynian Issue"
Marc Pierini, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe -"Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective"-
dr Marcin Tarnawski, Instytut Nauk Politycznych i Stosunków Międzynarodowych Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego -"Russia towards Arab Spring"
14.30 closing speech: "Poland towards Changes"
Krzysztof Olendzki, wicedyrektor Departamentu Afryki i Bliskiego Wschodu MSZ
