Iran Democratic Transition Conference I

The Birth of a Revolution within the Revolution

The Iran Democratic Transition Conference (IDTC) brings together leading Iranian thinkers, scholars, activists, and U.S. policymakers to examine realistic pathways toward political change in Iran and the establishment of a secular, pluralistic, and democratic system of governance.

Held on January 24, 2011, at George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium and the Congressional Visitors Auditorium on U.S. Capitol Hill, this landmark conference offers a comprehensive and forward-looking dialogue on Iran’s future. Through expert panels and strategic discussions, participants will explore policy, social, and geopolitical dimensions of democratic transition, with the goal of articulating a shared vision of liberty, accountability, and national sovereignty for Iran.

Key conference themes include the challenges and opportunities of democratic transition; the role of new media and cyber activism; the political vision of Iran’s new generation; secularism and constitutional reform; sanctions and international policy; opposition leadership inside and outside Iran; and Iran’s relationship with the global community. The conference will also include a special commemorative session honoring Neda Agha-Soltan, a symbol of the Iranian Green Movement.

The conference features an exceptional lineup of speakers, including members of the U.S. Congress, former Iranian diplomats, prominent scholars, journalists, civil society leaders, and former political prisoners, offering diverse perspectives rooted in experience, research, and lived struggle.

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided throughout the event to ensure full accessibility for all attendees.

The Iran Democratic Transition Conference is sponsored by the Institute of World Politics and coordinated by the Confederation of Iranian Students (CIS)—a pro-democracy, pro-Western, independent student movement with chapters across Iran, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.