INVITATION: IRAQ POLICY FORUM: Responding to the Humanitarian Situation Facing Iraqis

INVITATION
IRAQ POLICY FORUM: Responding to the Humanitarian Situation Facing Iraqis
Date: Monday, April 14, 2008 (8:30 am – 6 pm)
Venue: Jack Morton Auditorium, George Washington University (GW)
Address: 805 21st Street NW (corner of 21st and H), Washington, D.C.
Host: Elliott School of International Affairs’ Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES)
Sponsors: 23 U.S. based NGOs, including those operating in Iraq & the Middle East region
RSVP: IraqForum@gmail.org

Dear Colleagues:

Over the past 5 years, millions of Iraqis have been displaced or otherwise affected by violence in Iraq. On MONDAY, APRIL 14th, U.S.-based NGOs will convene an important Forum on the Humanitarian Crisis Facing Iraqis.

Hosted by the Elliott School of International Affairs’ Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University, panelists will offer up-to-date reports from the field, analysis of current trends in violence and forced migration, an assessment of the U.S. & international humanitarian response to date, and policy options for improving humanitarian conditions for vulnerable populations affected by violence in Iraq.

Coffee and lunch will be provided. To RSVP, send an email by this Friday, April 4th, to IraqForum@gmail.com and please include your full name, title and institutional affiliation.

Speakers include:
The Hon. SAMIR SHAKIR MAHMOUD SUMAYDA’IE, Iraq’s Ambassador to the United States;
SAMUEL M. WITTEN, U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration;
RADHOUANE NOUICER, Director of Middle East North Africa Bureau, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);
DANA GRABER LADEK, Iraq Displacement Specialist, International Organization for Migration (IOM);
AMBASSADOR EDWARD W. GNEHM, JR., Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs, Elliot School of
KEN BACON, President, Refugees International;
RABIH TORBAY, Vice President of International Operations, International Medical Corps (IMC);
HEATHER HANSON, Director of Public Affairs, Mercy Corps;
ROBERT CAREY, VP Resettlement, International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Chair, Refugee Council USA
BILL FRELICK, Refugee Policy Director, Human Rights Watch;
DINA R. KHOURY, Associate Professor of History and International Affairs, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University;
PHEBE MARR, Historian of Modern Iraq and Middle East Consultant;
KATHLEEN NEWLAND, Director of Migrants, Migration, and Development and Refugee Protection Programs, and Member of the Board of Trustees, Migration Policy Institute (MPI);
NABIL AL-TIKRITI, Senior Fellow, United States Institute for Peace;
* Additional speakers to be confirmed.

Panel topics include:
I. Understanding the Conflict in Iraq and Current Trends
II. Understanding the Displaced and Most Vulnerable
III. Assessing the U.S. and International Response to the Crisis
IV. The Best Way Forward: Reconciliation, Recovery, Relief and Development

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE: InterAction, Refugee Council USA, Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC), International Rescue Committee, 3D Security Initiative, Amnesty International USA, Chaldean Federation of America, Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Council of America, Church World Service, Center for Victims of Torture, Episcopal Church Center, Human Rights First, International Medical Corps, Mandaean Associations Union, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Mercy Corps, NETWORK: a national Catholic Social Justice Lobby, North American Dominican Justice and Peace Promoters, Oxfam America, Refugees International, Veterans for Common Sense, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, and World Relief.