People Power in the Middle East – What’s Next?

Hosted by: AIIA ACT Branch

The event will start on: Thursday, 17 March 2011 5:30 PM

And will end on: Thursday, 17 March 2011 7:00 PM

At Stephen House, Canberra

32 Thesiger Court, Deakin , Canberra ACT

(02) 6232 4978     act.branch@aiia.asn.au

Posted by: act   

People Power in the Middle East – What’s Next? Matthew Gray, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, ANU Philip Eliason, Middle East business consultant he has worked for the Gadhafi family and lived in Yemen & Peter Hendy, former Executive Director of the Economic Development Board Bahrain, Thursday 17^th March 5:30pm, Stephen House

 Our panel of experts will review current events across the Middle East and North Africa, their causes, short term effects, and possible longer term outcomes. 

The winds of change for political reform across the Middle East and North Africa, from Bahrain on the Gulf to Morocco's Atlantic seaboard, raise many critical questions. What are the different drivers for change in each country? What political changes are likely? Will there be democratic reform? Will change simply be the replacement of one autocracy by another? Will religious extremism and influence increase through the reform process? How will US and Israeli interests be affected? What are the local and global economic implications, especially for oil and gas production by affected states? Indeed, is anything predictable at this stage or are events too volatile to call?  Come and listen to our panel of experts on the Middle East address these question.

Dr Matthew Gray joined the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies as Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktoum Senior Lecturer in January 2005. Prior to this appointment he held several positions with the Australian Government, including the Australian Trade Commission 1997 – 2002, the Department of Defence 2002 - 2004, and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs where he was Director of the Middle East and Africa section from 2004 to early 2005. Dr Gray completed his doctorate at ANU in 2000, entitled The Relationship between Economic Liberalisation and Tourism in the Contemporary Middle East: A Comparative Political Economy Study of Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

Philip Eliason is a former diplomat who specialised in Middle East issues and later a business advisor and industry representative to the Government. In 2009-10 he lived in Yemen leading a justice sector reform project for the UK government. He has worked in the Gulf States, designed and managed visits to Australia for the Gadhafi family, trained Iraqi diplomats and is a member of the Australian Civilian Corps of rapid deployment post-conflict development advisers. He is currently advising an Ismaili Shi'ite community client on establishment of NGOs in the Middle East. He has addressed AIIA on Libya and on Horn of Africa policy issues for Australia.

Peter Hendy is one of Australia's leading economic commentators.  He was chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry between 2002 and 2008 and the Executive Director of the Bahrain Economic Development Board during 2009-2010. He has a long career in both the private and public sectors, including the areas of defence, international trade, treasury, education and industrial relations.  In 2003 he was awarded a Centenary Medal by the Governor-General for 'services to Australian society in business leadership'. He is the immediate past-President of the AIIA ACT Branch.

Unless otherwise advertised all events are $10 for non-members, $5 for Student and free for AIIA members. Please RSVP by pressing the register button on the page for the event at www.aiia.asn.au, by emailing events@act.aiia.asn.au or by calling (02) 6232 4978