Iraq Forum 2008: Introduction

Explore perspectives on the current humanitarian challenges facing Iraq from United Nations and government officials, human rights advocates, aid workers, and leading experts from Iraq and the region. IRAQ FORUM 2008 is the result of a joint initiative by EPIC, Refugee Council USA, InterAction, and a coalition of more than 20 organizations taking humanitarian action for peace in Iraq. Become part of the experience. Complete Directory of Panels & Speakers

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Erik K. Gustafson is Executive Director of the Education for Peace in Iraq Center. He is a veteran of the 1991 Gulf War, where he spent eight months in Saudi Arabia with the 864th Engineer Battalion building hospitals, roads and POW camps. An authority on Iraq and U.S. policy, Gustafson has testified at congressional briefings and delivered countless lectures across North America. He is a frequent guest on the BBC World News, and has appeared on NBC Nightly News, FoxNews, CNN, and other major media outlets.

Zahir Janmohamed is Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at Amnesty International USA. Mr. Janmohamed works with Amnesty International's membership to develop grassroots campaigns and manages the organization's media work on MENA issues. Prior to Amnesty International, Mr. Janmohamed worked for a State Department grantee called the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, which focuses on democratization efforts in countries with Muslim majorities. He is a graduate of UC Berkley and UCLA.

Complete Directory of Panels & Speakers

Introduction by Conference Organizers
Erik Gustafson, Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC)
Zahir Janmohamed, Amnesty International

Keynote Speakers
Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm Jr., Former U.S. Ambassador to Jordan, Australia & Kuwait
His Excellency Samir Shakir Mahmoud Sumaida'ie, Iraq's Ambassador to the U.S.
The Hon. John D. Dingell, Representative of Michigan's 15th District & the senior most member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Panel I. Understanding the Conflict in Iraq & Current Trends
Marc Lynch, George Washington University
Phebe Marr, Historian of Modern Iraq & Middle East Consultant
Nabil al-Tikriti, U.S. Institute for Peace

Panel II. Understanding the Displaced and Most Vulnerable
Elizabeth Campbell, Refugee Council USA
Radhouane Nouicer, UN Refugee Agency
Dana Graber Ladek, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Bob Carey, International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Joshua van Praag, Producer, Iraqis in Egypt: Time is Running Out

Panel III. Assessing the U.S. & International Response to the Crisis
Kathleen Newland, Migration Policy Institute
The Hon. Samuel M. Witten, U.S. Dept. of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration
Ken Bacon, Refugees International
Rabih Torbay, International Medical Corps (IMC)

Panel IV. Exploring the Best Way Forward
Beth Ferris, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement
Bill Frelick, Human Rights Watch
Dina R. Khoury, George Washington University
Gregory C. Gottlieb, USAID, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict & Humanitarian Assistance
Heather Hanson, Mercy Corps, Director of Public Affairs