*LAST CHANCE CALL FOR PAPERS* Democracy Denied: Political, Human Rights, and Policy Implications for the Arab/Muslim World

For nearly 60 years, the region has been dominated by authoritarian rulers, many supported by outside powers, while the majority of the people are starving for democracy, dignity, and economic development. Yonatan Ziegen, the son of 74-year old peace activist Vivien Silver who was killed by HAMAS on October 7, 2023, was asked what his mother would say. He answered: “This is the outcome of war, of not striving for peace.” This is also the outcome of not striving for human rights and democracy across the MENA region. People can be oppressed for only so long. Inevitably, frustrated political objectives result in violence, extremism, and hopelessness, at least among some.

The Palestinian case is extreme, but it is only one among many in the Arab/Muslim world of democracy denied. The gains made by pro-democracy movements in the 2010-2011 “Arab Spring” have all been reversed, and anti-democratic forces have spread beyond the Arab/Muslim world. This conference will address the lessons learned from these and other cases, critique the policies that have allowed anti-democratic forces to proliferate, and recommend policies based on those lessons and critiques.

Presentation proposals or abstracts (400 words max.) are welcome from prospective participants who will speak to the conference title, Democracy Denied: Political, Human Rights, and Policy Implications for the Arab/Muslim World, and address topics described in the following proposed panels:
The Israel-Gaza War: Implications for Democracy in the Arab-Islamic World
Lessons Learned: Arab Spring Uprisings and Failed Transitions
Democracy, Economic Development and Social Justice
National Dialogues: Building a United Democratic Front across Ideologies
Policy Implications: What have we Learned from Failure to Promote Democracy

Proposals are due by 5 PM EST on Tuesday, Feb. 27th, 2024, and should be sent to: Dr. Radwan Ziadeh, Chair of the Program Committee at:
conference2024@CSID-online.org

CSID will waive the conference registration fee ($100) and provide an honorarium of $300 for speakers coming from overseas.