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Seminar: Change in the Middle East

Seminar: Change in the Middle East

Popular protests have swept the Middle East and North Africa this year, with the demands of statehood, democracy and regime change shaking the established order.

On September 23, UNIS Tut House students embraced these issues in the school's first ever seminar on the ongoing changes in the Middle East. That same day, the UNIS community watched with intrigue as Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas went before the UN General Assembly, only twenty blocks to the north, to ask for international recognition of the Palestinian state on behalf of his people.

From the streets of the Cairo and Jerusalem to Damascus and Tripoli, a new embrace for liberty ensures that while this is the first UNIS seminar on democratization in the region, it may not be the last. Images by John Ingram.

: Panel of images on the 2011 democratization movement in the Middle East.

Morning Sessions

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Mapping GDP in the Middle East

The day of the Seminar on Change in the Middle East began with students working in ten different classrooms to research key data regarding GDP, number of persons between 15 and 24, the number of persons between 15 and 29, the unemployment rate, military aid and oil resources for each country in the Middle East and North Africa.

This data was then put onto large scale maps in the form of pie charts, bar chars and icons. This information became the backdrop for the second event.

The Middle East Today - with Professor Zachary Lockman

Dr. Zachary Lockman, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at NYU, discussing the politics, demographics and economics of the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.

Next Generation - with Yaniv Azar (NYU) & Mujahed Sarsur (Bard)

Yaniv Azar, an Israeli student who graduated from UNIS last year and is currently at NYU, speaking for the ‘Next Generation’ and answering questions.

Artist Talk - with Afruz Amighi

Iranian-born artist Afruz Amighi explaining her work to students.

Media Coverage of Arab Spring - with Al Jazeera Editors

Al Jazeera editors explain the network’s coverage of the Arab Spring movement.

Israeli Folk Dance - with Danny Pollock

Danny Pollock from the 92nd Street Y teaching how to perform an Israeli folk dance.

Islam, An Overview - with Sam Dolbee (NYU)

Sam Dolbee, a doctoral student in Middle Eastern studies at NYU, explaining the distinction between Sunni and Shia.

Just Vision - with Nadav Greenberg & Jessica Devaney

Nadav Greenberg and Jessica Devaney describing the work of Just Vision, an organisation which promotes non-violent solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Debkah Dance - with Sheren Attal

Sheren Attal teaching students how to perform traditional dances from Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.

Interview - with UN Democracy Fund Director Roland Rich

Executive Director of the United Nations Democracy Fund Roland Rich being interviewed by Peter Etherington (T4) and Luke Solomon (T3) about UNDEF’s role and the important work they are currently doing in the Middle East.

: History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict

MIDDLE EASTERN LUNCH

Middle Eastern Lunch

Middle Eastern lunch with food provided by UNIS parents.

Students found an empty classroom and started dancing Middle Eastern and Israeli dances during lunch.

Afternoon Performances

5700 Miles - video by Zara Jamshed, UNIS T3

A video report by Zara Jamshed on the students who posted pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian stickers around the UNIS campus.

The Israeli Palestinian Conflict: A Conversation with Prof. Ronald Zweig (NYU) and Prof. Rashid Khalildi (Columnia University)

Dr. Rashid Khalidi, the Edward Said Professor of Arabic Studies at Columbia University and former UNIS student, and Dr. Ronald Zweig, Director of the Taub Center for Israeli Studies at NYU, in conversation about the implications of the Arab Spring for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Amir El Saffar

Amir El-Saffar performing Iraqi songs and music on traditional Middle Easter instruments.

The Gaza Monologues

The Gaza Monologues, written by schoolchildren in Gaza and performed by UNIS students, directed by Erin Mee, former UNIS student and professor of at NYU.

Ouajdi Cherif

Jazz-Middle Eastern fusion music played by Ouajdi Cherif.

Death as a Way of Life

Death as a Way of Life, an adaptation by Brian Kahn from the works of the Israeli writer and peace activist David Grossman, performed by UNIS students, directed by Erin Mee.

The Breslov Bar Band

The Breslov Bar Band playing klezmer music, traditional Ashkenazi Jewish music from Eastern Europe.