Vienna University, in cooperation with the Terrorism Research Initiative and the Centre for Terrorism and Security Studies (University of Massachusetts) have organised a conference at the Academy of Fine Arts (Semper Depot) in Vienna (Austria) on
The Syrian Conflict and the Promotion of Reconciliation and the Implications for International Security
The conference seeks to provide an array of Syrian political actors based in Austria and abroad with an opportunity to offer their insights into the current conflict and explore prospects for reconciliation. It offers a neutral forum for the exchange of perspectives on the interconnected issues of the promotion of civil society, political cooperation and bringing violence to an end, while also addressing their implications for international politics and security. The conference venue, the Semper Depot of the Akademie der Bildenden Künste, will also host the photographic exhibition Syrian Perspectives on War.
Conference Agenda
February 6, 2014 (13:30 – 18:00 hours)
13:30 – 14:00 Opening remarks and introductions by Robert Wesley and Nico Prucha, Terrorism Research Initiative
14:00 – 14:30 Research Briefing by Cengiz Günay, Austrian Institute for International Affairs: « Syria at the Crossroads of Turkey and the EU »
14:45 – 15:15 Political Activism, Badran Farwati, PoliticalAnalyst, Tansiqiyya: « Against all Odds versus the Regime of al-Assad »
15:15 – 15:45 Supporting Women and Minorities, Marie-Therese Kiriakly, Verein für Arabische Frauen: « The Role of Minorities in the Syrian Revolution »
16:15 – 16:45 Kurdish Freedom Party (Azadi), Jamal Omari: « The Kurds and the Regime – Historical Dissent and Future Prospects »
February 7, 2014 (13:30 – 18:00 hours)
14:00 – 14:30 Research Briefing, Rüdiger Lohlker, University of Vienna: »Social Media – A New Layer in Modern Warfare »
14:45 – 15:15 Islamic Voices of the Revolution, Omer Mushaweh: « The Role of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Syrian Revolution »
15:15 – 15:45 National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (I’tilaf), Kamal al-Labwani: « Threats for Civil-Society, Reclaiming Authority for the People of Syria »
17:00 – 17:30 Austrian Muslim Initiative, Tarafa Baghajati: « Syria before and after the Geneva I and II Talks »
For registration, contact: Nico Prucha at: nico.prucha@univie.ac.at