Iran Democratic Transition Conference II

“Remembering Neda: A Symbol of Freedom and Democracy in Iran”

The Iran Democratic Transition Conference II will convene on Sunday, June 19, 2011, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., bringing together leading policymakers, scholars, activists, media figures, and representatives of Iranian civil society to examine the future of democratic change in Iran.

Held on the anniversary of Neda Agha-Soltan’s death, the conference honors her legacy as a powerful symbol of peaceful resistance and the Iranian people’s demand for freedom and dignity. Her killing during the 2009 protests became a defining moment of the Green Movement, a movement that has since resonated far beyond Iran and inspired democratic aspirations across the region.

The day-long conference will explore key issues shaping Iran’s democratic transition, including the evolution and impact of the Green Movement, the relationship between religion and secular governance, religious freedom in an Islamic society, the role of media, and the implications of these developments for U.S. and international policy toward Iran.

The conference will feature a distinguished group of speakers, including senior U.S. policy experts, Iranian political figures, human rights advocates, journalists, religious leaders, and representatives of minority communities. Among them are Prince Reza Pahlavi, Dr. Kenneth Katzman of the U.S. Congressional Research Service, Amir Abbas Fakhravar, Ramin Asgard of VOA Persian, Dr. Alireza Nourizadeh, Dr. Walid Phares, Caspian Makan, and many others from diverse political and ideological backgrounds.

This conference builds on the momentum of the highly successful Iran Democratic Transition Conference held earlier in January 2011 at George Washington University and the U.S. Capitol, which engaged U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, international democracy organizations, academics, and students. Together, these conferences aim to amplify the voices of the Iranian people and foster informed dialogue on pathways toward democratic governance and civil liberties in Iran.

The event is sponsored by the Center for Culture and Security at The Institute of World Politics, the Confederation of Iranian Students, and the Iran Democratic Union.

Date: Sunday, June 19, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Lunch and dinner provided)
Location: Jack Morton Auditorium, Media and Public Affairs Building,
George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

For RSVP and further information, please contact: idtc.2011@gmail.com