Duke University and Civic Engagement in the Middle East

In the summer of 2007, a pilot DukeEngage program sent five students to Sana’a, Yemen. In the summers of 2008 and 2009, we have coordinated DukeEngage programs in Cairo, Egypt. Ten students participated in the 2008 program and there will be twelve students in the 2009 DukeEngage Cairo program.There was also a pilot DukeEngage-Study Abroad program in Turkey in summer 2008. In addition to the group programs, a number of students have participated in individual civic engagement projects in the Middle East.

This conference will offer students, staff and faculty who are interested and involved in civic engagement at Duke, especially international civic engagement in the Middle East, an opportunity to share and reflect on the particular challenges and opportunities of such work. The conference is a forum for reflecting on and planning for future civic engagement programs in the Middle East and for exploring how civic engagement enriches the curriculum and the campus culture.

 

PROGRAM: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST CONFERENCE

 

CONFERENCE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14:

8:30 – 9:00   REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 10:15      PANEL 1:

METHODS AND CHALLENGES OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Panelists:
Mohsen Kadivar, Visiting Professor of Religion, Duke University
“Governance and Civil Society in Iran,”
Imam Abdullah Antepli, Adjunct Faculty, Duke Divinity School & Muslim Chaplain
“Civic Engagement vs Paternalism,”
Mbaye Lo, Assistant Professor of the Practice, AMES
“What is Civic Engagement: Serving Who, Why and How”
Moderator: Isabelle Figaro, ICS & Arabic Major, 2010; DukeEngage Yemen 2007

10:30 – 12:00   PANEL 2:

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN CONTEXT AND IN ACTION
Panelists:
Dr. Hassan Mekki, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan
“The Challenges of Civic Engagement in the Sudan: Negotiating War, Peace, and National Identity,”
Marie Louis Bishara, President of ‘I the Egyptian Association’
“A Case Study of Civic Engagement in Egypt: Transforming the Streets’ Children”
James Pearce, Duke Law, International & Comparative Law (2011)
“Doing Human Rights: A Study of Refugee Advocate in Cairo”
Moderator: Catherine Herrold, Ph.D. candidate, Public Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy

12:00 – 1:30   LUNCH PROGRAM

DOCUMENTING DUKEENGAGE: IMAGES AND IMAGINATION
Panelists:
Andrew Simon, ICS & Arabic Major, 2010; DukeEngage Yemen 2007
Photo documentary: "Empowering Children in Yemen: A DukeEngager's Diary"
Dan Barron & Susan Park, DukeEngage Cairo, 2009
"Engaging Children with Disabilities in Cairo"
Dawa Drolma & Atif Mahmood, DukeEngage Cairo, 09
“Short Documentary on DukeEngage Cairo”
Moderator: Dylan Arnould, Political Science & Arabic Major; DukeEngage Cairo, 2008

1:30 - 2:15    PANEL 3:

PARTICIPANT REFLECTIONS ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Panelists:
Edith Chen, ICS & Arabic Minor, 2010
“Reading Religion & Development in Jordan”
Ibrahim Maali, DukeEngage, Questscope, Jordan, Summer 2009
“Observing a Youth Association in Jordan”
Jonathan Cross, Religion & Arabic Major, 2010; DukeEngage Cairo, 2009
“Interviewing the Coptic Minorities in Egypt: A DukeEngager’s Diary”
Moderator: Cosette Wong, Math & Arabic Major, 2010; DukeEngage Cairo, 2008

2:30 – 4:00   PANEL 4:

BRINGING ENGAGEMENT BACK HOME: INTEGRATING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INTO THE CURRICULUM AND COMMUNITY
Panelists:
Bruce Lawrence: Professor of Religion; DISC Associate Director
“Liberal Citizenship: Its Prospects and Limits in the Middle East, with Specific Reference to Egypt & Yemen,”
Dr. Eric Mlyn, Director, Duke Center for Civic Engagement & DukeEngage
“Civic Engagement Beyond the DukeEngage Experience,”
Steve Kelly, US State Department, Diplomat in Residence
“Civic Engagement beyond College: Diplomacy and Foreign Service”
Moderator: Ella Lipin, Arabic & Political Science, 2010; DukeEngage, Yemen 2007

4:00 – 4:30   CLOSING REMARKS: Professor Mbaye Lo

CONFERENCE SPONSORS: Duke Islamic Studies Center, DukeEngage, Duke University Middle East Studies Center, Focus, Duke University Center for International Studies, Office of the Vice Provost of International Affairs, Office of the Provost, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Center for Muslim Life