The Middle East and the North Africa region will be the topic of a day-long symposium to be held by the Osher Lifelong Institute at the University of Nebraska (OLLI) and the Winter Lecture Series of the Unitarian Church of Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Nebraska East Campus Union, 1705 Arbor Drive, Lincoln, Neb.
The symposium “The Middle East and the U.S.: Trials and Turmoil” will focus on how and why the region has emerged from a land of high culture and advanced learning to the world’s center of unrest and the largest source countries of refugees and radicalism. During the European Dark Ages, the Middle East and North Africa thrived. After giving the world agriculture, great art, astonishing architecture and advances in science and mathematics, the Middle East and North Africa have become awash in instability.
“Wars and regime changes in the Middle East and North Africa have been the norm in recent years. As citizens of this nation, we are involved, whether we chose to be or not,” said Dick Dienstbier, OLLI member and one of the organizers of the Unitarian Church’s Winter Lecture Series. “The main purpose of this Symposium is to allow us to be more informed citizens so that we can participate wisely in discussions and policy decisions,” he said.
Featured speakers include: James le Sueur, professor of history, and Bedross Der Matossian, assistant professor of history, from the University of Nebraska; Joe Pennington, deputy assistant secretary of the state, and Paul Watzlavick, spokesperson, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Watzlavick and Pennington will address U.S. policy towards the region.
Following the speakers in the morning, there will be several afternoon breakout sessions that will center on the topics related to the lectures with opportunities for more discussion.
According to Dee Aguilar, OLLI coordinator, OLLI and the Winter Lecture Series at the Unitarian Church have been collaborating for about 10 years. The symposium is a continuation of the programming themes both groups offered in 2015. “This symposium is an opportunity to learn more about our neighbors in the Middle East, especially the Yazidi refugees who have resettled here in Lincoln,” she said.
The symposium is free and registration is required. Participants have the option of purchasing a boxed lunch for $15 at the time of registration. Outside food cannot be brought into the East Campus Union facility.
The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 21. Registration for the symposium can be made online at olli.unl.edu or by calling the OLLI office at 402-472-6265.
Register Online: http://go.unl.edu/womf