GENERAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION

The goal of the conference will be to highlight the contribution that social scientific and humanistic research and scholarship can bring towards conflict resolution, peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Presentations and panels will focus on research examining the factors fueling the longest conflict of modern times, and contributions with instrumental ideas to achieve a just and equitable solution to the conflict.

CONFIRMED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS*:

Dr. Herbert Kelman, Professor of Psychology and Social Ethics, Harvard University
Dr. Khalil Shikaki, Director, Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research
Dr. Naomi Hazan, Professor of Political Sciences and former member of the Israeli Knesset
Gaith al-Omari, Senior Research Fellow at the New America Foundation and former senior advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

*Dr. Yossi Beilin and Dr. Sari Nusseibeh have been invited and expressed initial interest, but can not be confirmed at the moment.

The meeting will include renowned keynote speakers, as well as concurrent presentations and panels. We will strive to maintain a balance between Israeli, Palestinian and other U.S. and international speakers and encourage researchers from all sides of the conflict to send their proposals. Presentations will highlight research regarding obstacles and opportunities to the achievement of peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to) research in:

• Social and psychological factors in the conflict
• Historical, philosophical, and theological issues
• Economic factors and cooperation
• Demographic realities and solutions
• Geographic obstacles to peace
• Negotiations – Models, perceptions and strategies

CONFERENCE LOCATION
All conference sessions will be on the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT.