Scholars to discuss the Middle East post-Arab Spring at Rice’s Baker Institute March 10

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Scholars to discuss the Middle East post-Arab Spring at Rice’s Baker Institute March 10

HOUSTON – (March 5, 2015) – Leading international scholars on the Middle East will gather at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 10 to discuss current trends and offer policy prescriptions to promote more inclusive and stable political systems in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. “Divided Societies, Volatile States: The Politics of Identity Post-Arab Spring” will be hosted by the Baker Institute’s Center for the Middle East Studies and is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Who: Leading international scholars on the Middle East. For the complete agenda and speaker information, see http://bakerinstitute.org/events/1695.

Edward Djerejian, founding director of the Baker Institute, will provide welcoming remarks.

Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland-College Park and nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Middle East Policy, will give the keynote address.

What: Conference on “Divided Societies, Volatile States: The Politics of Identity Post-Arab Spring.”

When: Tuesday, March 10, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Kelly International Conference Facility, 6100 Main St.

The popular demonstrations during the Arab Spring not only transformed the political and societal landscape across the Middle East but also challenged deep-rooted notions about the role played by national, ethnic and religious identity in the politics of the region, according to event organizers. The conference will focus on three areas where identity politics play a key role: sectarianism in the region; gender, identity and conflict post-Arab Spring; and Palestinians in Israel and the future of the Jewish state.

The public must register to attend this event at http://bakerinstitute.org/events/register/1695/?submit=RSVP.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media are advised to park in the Central Campus Garage.

Members of the news media who want to attend must RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

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Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top 10 university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.