Syria Conference 02_2014 Vienna

Conference Title:
The Syrian Conflict and the Promotion of Reconciliation and its Implications for
International Security
Dates:
6 – 7 February 2014
Location:
Atelierhaus der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien,
Lehárgasse 6-8, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Organized by:
Institute for Near Eastern Studies (University of Vienna)
Terrorism Research Initiative
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Registration:
Due to limited seating at the venue, registration for this event is mandatory. To register,
please send an email with the names of prospective attendees to Nico Prucha
(nico.prucha@univie.ac.at).
The conference is free of any charge.
Conference Abstract:
The conference seeks to provide an array of Syrian political actors who are present and active
in Vienna and abroad an opportunity to provide insight into the current conflict, its violent
and non-violent manifestations, and prospects for future reconciliation. The conference will
provide a neutral environment for the exchange of perspectives on the interconnected issues
of the promotion of civil society, political cooperation, violence, and the implications for
international politics and security.
The conference venue at the Atelierhaus der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien will also
host an exhibition of contemporary Syrian artists, reflecting the war through their
photographic artwork.
Conference Agenda:
Day 1, February 6, 2014
13:30 - 14:00
Opening remarks, introductions, programme review, and administrative
announcements by Robert Wesley and Nico Prucha
Official opening of the exhibition “Syrian Perspectives on War”
14:00 - 14:30
Research Briefing by Cengiz Günay, Austrian Institute for International
Affairs (oiip): “Syria at the Crossroads of Turkey and the EU”
15 Minutes coffee & tea break with snacks
14:45 – 15:15
Research Briefing, Noman Benotman, Quilliam Foundation: “How Jihadists
managed to infiltrate a democratic Syrian revolution”
15:15 – 15:45
Supporting Women and Minorities, Marie-Therese Kiriakly, Verein für
Arabische Frauen: “Minorities and Violence”
15:45 - 16:00
Research Briefing, Thomas Schmidinger, University of Vienna: “SyrianKurdistan and its Political Actors”
16:00 - 16:15
Kurdish Freedom Party (Azadi) / Kurdish National Council in Syria, Jamal
Omari: “The Kurds and the Regime – Historical Dissent and Future
Prospects”
60 Minutes Q&A with audience
17:15 – 17:45 Concluding remarks, coffee & tea with snacks
Day 2, February 7, 2014
13:00 – 13:30
13:30 – 14:00
Opening remarks and introductions
Research Briefing, Rüdiger Lohlker, University of Vienna: “Social Media –
A New Layer in Modern Warfare”
15 Minutes coffee & tea break with snacks
14:15 - 14:45
Syrian Opposition in Diaspora, Waleed Bonni: “The Syrian Revolution in
the Context of Resistance”
14:45 – 15:15
(Former) National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces
(I’tilaf), Kamal al-Labwani: “Islamic Groups in the Syrian Conflict and their
Ideology”
15:15 – 15:45 Syrian Muslim Brotherhood Executive Committee, Molham al-Droubi: “The
Perception of the Syrian Revolution by the Brotherhood”
60 Minutes Q&A with audience
16:45 – 17:15 Writer and Syrian Affairs Correspondent, Tarafa Baghajati: “Syria before and
after the Geneva I and II Talks”
15 Minutes coffee & tea break
17:30 – 17:45 concluding remarks, farewell and coffee & tea break with snacks