Israeli University, UMass Lowell Partner to Present ‘Transitions to Democracy’

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06/12/2015

Contacts: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

* M E D I A  A D V I S O R Y *
Sunday, June 14 through Tuesday, June 16

WHAT: Experts from around the world on peace and cultural recognition will gather in Lowell beginning Sunday for a three-day summit, “Transitions to Democracy,” presented by UMass Lowell and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

The conference will feature a series of programs on Monday and Tuesday led by international scholars that explore the topic of recognition – acceptance of a group’s right to their own culture, narratives and liberties, regardless of ethnicity or religion – and the role it can play in the journey to democracy of some nations, particularly those in the Middle East.

UMass Lowell’s Center for Middle East Peace, Development and Culture is holding the event in partnership with the Chaim Herzog Center for Middle East Studies and Diplomacy of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Presenters will include faculty from Dartmouth College, East London University, Harvard University, Hebrew University, Queen’s University Belfast, Tel Aviv University and UMass Lowell.

Programs are scheduled to include:

  • “Mutual Recognition of the Other’s National Identity: The Essential Ingredient of Israeli-Palestinian Peace and Reconciliation,” Herbert Kelman, Harvard University professor emeritus, Monday at 9 a.m.;
  • “Old Wine in New Bottles: On the Limits of Secularism,” Prof. Deina Abdelkader of UMass Lowell, Monday at 1:30 p.m.;
  • “Collective Trauma and Recognition: Between Outgroup and Ingroup Paths to Reconciliation,” Prof. Maya Kahanoff of Hebrew University, Tuesday at 9 a.m.;
  • Is the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Resolvable: Ethical Transformative Recognition and Conflict Resolution,” Prof. Amad Jamal, Tel Aviv University, Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

The summit ends on Tuesday at 4 p.m. with a roundtable discussion led by UMass Lowell Prof. Paula Rayman and Ben Gurion Prof. Yoram Meitel on the next steps the participants can take to encourage recognition, peace and democracy.

WHERE: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell. Contact UMass Lowell media relations for directions and parking information.

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