American Studies, Regional Studies
Afghanistan Regional Symposium: Confronting the Impasse
About the Symposium:
The Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is hosting the “Afghanistan Regional Symposium: Confronting the Impasse.” The symposium gathers leading experts, scholars, and policymakers in a collective pursuit of exploring and addressing the intricate challenges surrounding Afghanistan and its neighboring region. Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, there has been an unsettling impasse between Afghanistan and the rest of the world. This impasse presents a critical juncture where conventional strategies of intervention from global powers have become inadequate. Through insightful panels, including discussions on the Afghan peace process, climate change, food security challenges, education, and humanitarian concerns, the symposium fosters a nuanced understanding of ongoing challenges and paves the way for informed impactful solutions.
Program
Registration
9 – 9:45 AM
Location: Ballroom Foyer, Ground Floor
Welcome Remarks
9:45 – 10 AM
Location: Al Mirqab Ballroom, Ground Floor
Dean Safwan Masri (Georgetown University in Qatar)
Education in Afghanistan: Systemic Challenges
10 AM – 11:15 AM
Location: Al Mirqab Ballroom, Ground Floor
Dean Safwan Masri, Chair (Georgetown University in Qatar)
Fatima Gailani (Independent)
Hameed Hakimi (Atlantic Council)
Ambassador Melanne Verveer (Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security)
Sulaiman Bin Shah (Catalysts.Af)
Coffee Break
11:15 – 11:45 AM
Location: Al Mirqab pre-function area & Al Daibel pre-function area
Concurrent Sessions
11:45 AM – 1 PM
Panel 1: Afghanistan Imagined by Afghans
Location: Al Daibel, 1st Floor
Ian Almond, Chair (Georgetown University in Qatar)
Dawood Azami (BBC World Service/University of Westminster)
Parwana Fayyaz (University of Cambridge)
Abdul Khaliq Rashid (Jawaharlal Nehru University)
Zahra Wakilzada (Institute for the Study of Diplomacy)
Panel 2: Reporting from Conflict Zones: Media Resilience in Afghanistan
Location: Al Mirqab Ballroom, Ground Floor
Suzi Mirgani, Chair (CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar)
Sana Safi (BBC World Service)
Ibraheem Bahiss (International Crisis Group)
Ali Latifi (Asia Editor, The New Humanitarian)
Lunch
1 – 2:30 PM
Location: Al Mirqab pre-function area, Ground Floor
Documentary Screening and Discussion “Symphony of Courage”
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Location: Al Daibel, 1st Floor
Beth Mendelson (Film Director & Afghanistan Service at Voice of America)
Rana Kazkaz, Moderator (Northwestern University in Qatar)
Climate Change and Natural Resource Governance
3:45 – 5 PM
Location: Al Mirqab Ballroom, Ground Floor
Reza Pirbhai, Chair (Georgetown University in Qatar)
Ambassador Androulla Kaminara (Georgetown University in Qatar)
Mohammad Assem Mayar (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research)
Matt Reed (AGA Khan Foundation)
Closing Remarks
5 – 5:15 PM
Location: Al Mirqab Ballroom, Ground Floor
Dean Safwan Masri (Georgetown University in Qatar)