Friday, April 21

—    09.30-11.00:    Plenary Session #4

FIRE IN THE SUBURBS - MULTICULTURALISM, NATIONALISM AND IMMIGRATION - THE ROLE OF THE STATE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEDIA
Every country has to address the issues raised by multicultural, multinational and multi-lingual populations. These issues are again in the spotlight following last year’s disturbances in France and Australia and this year’s furore over cartoons in Danish newspapers Much soul searching and discussion has focused on whether the current approaches to immigration and assimilation are effective for the development of modern, tolerant, multicultural societies. There is also a great deal of focus on the responsibility of the media when it comes to covering race and religion. In this session we will examine a variety of approaches to integrating different cultures, nationalities and religions into single harmonious societies. We will examine the responsibility of the media when covering nationalism, separatism and immigration and the role they can play in overcoming internal tensions.

Keynote speaker: Richard Holbrooke, Chairman, the Asia Society, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, former Assistant Secretary of State, USA
Panelists:
Serge Schmemann, Editor, International Herald Tribune, France
Hummaa Ahmad, Executive Editor, The News International, Pakistan
Claude Salhani, International Editor, United Press International, USA
Ann-Cathrine Herou, Foreign News Coordinator, TV4, Sweden
Margaret Ward, Foreign Editor, RTE, Ireland
Vitaliy Naumkin, President of the International Center for Strategic and Political Studies, Member of the High-level Group for the Alliance of Civilizations run by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Russia

—    11.00-11.30:   Coffee break

—    11.30-13.00:    Plenary Session #5

IRAN –THE POLITICS AND MEDIA OF BRINKMANSHIP
Relationships between Tehran and the West are very changeable and are currently in a state of heightened tension. The issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program as well as recent public statements have added to this. In this important and timely session involving the media, politicians and regional experts we will discuss the domestic situation in Iran, the importance and influence of Iran in the region and Iran’s current approach to foreign policy and international relations. We will also examine the media perceptions and reactions and their responsibilities when covering this story.

What is the current status of the relationship between Tehran, Russia and the West?
What are the influences and priorities of Iran’s foreign policy?
How are the policies of Iran perceived by the authorities in the US, Russia and Europe?
What are the international media perceptions of Iran, its policies and the subsequent reactions of Russia and the West?
How does the media coverage vary around the world, and how does it compare to local media coverage of the story?
How is Iran and its actions viewed by it’s neighbours in the Middle East?
What are the major domestic issues in Iran? Are these issues reflected in media coverage of Iran? What is their impact on Iran’s foreign policy?
How is international coverage of the Iran story viewed in Tehran and the region? Where do the media get the Iran story right and wrong – how can authorities in Tehran assist the media with fair coverage?

Chair: Baqer Moin, Director for production, consultancy and media development, Jadid Media, former head of BBC Persian and Pashto service
Panelists:
Richard Perle, Resident Fellow at American Enterprise Institute; former Chairman of the Defense Policy Board (2001-2003); former Assistant Secretary of Defense (1981-1987), USA
Hamid Reza Asefi, Deputy Foreign Minister, Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Babak Ganji, Senior Visiting Fellow and Reader in International Security Relations, The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom
Nigel Middlemiss, Practice Director, Echo Research Group, United Kingdom
James Meek, Correspondent, the Guardian, United Kingdom
Igor Panarin, Political scientist, Professor of the Diplomatic Academy, MFA, Russia
Siamak Namazi, Managing Director, Atieh Bahar Consulting, Iran

— 14.00-21.00: Cultural Excursion and Reception
hosted by the Governor of Almaty region Mr. Serik Umbetov and CNN International, Tabagan Complex