Monday, April 03, 2006
298. پيشباز ِ جشن ِ سده ي مشروطه خواهي و بزرگداشت شايسته ترين فرزند ِ آن
يادداشت ويراستار
* * *
فروردین ماه ١٣٨٥ ٬ مارس ٢٠٠٦
دوست گرامی٬
با تقدیم مراتب احترام و تهنیت نوروزی٬ از شما صمیمانه دعوت می نماییم که در کنفرانس بین المللی (انگلیسی و فارسی) که به مناسبت صدمین سالگرد انقلاب مشروطیت ایران در روزهای پنجم تا هشتم ماه آپریل سال ٢٠٠٦ در دانشگاه نورت ایسترن ایلینوی برگزار می شود٬ شرکت فرمایید. اطلاعات مربوط به این کنفرانس به پیوست تقدیم می گردد.
شما خود نیک آگاهید که انقلاب مشروطه ایران از بزرگترین رویدادهای آغاز قرن بیستم در جهان است. این انقلاب اثری گسترده و ژرف بسوی پیشرفت اجتماعی بر جامعه و دولت ایران گذاشت و طنین آن بعنوان نخستین تحول دموکراتیک بزرگ در خاورمیانه و در خاک اصلی آسیا٬ در سراسر کشورهای منطقه پژواک یافت. زنده یاد علی اکبر دهخدا باور داشت که مشروطه موجب ایجاد "عصر طلایی" در ایران خواهد شد و از "کودکان عصر طلایی" خواست که در سحرگاه این عصر به یاد آزادیخواهان جانباخته ي این انقلاب باشند:
یاد آر ز شمع مرده یاد آر!""
و شاید بتوان گفت که سپیده دم "عصر طلایی" برای ایران و جهان همانا روزگار امروزی ست که جهانیان بیش از هر زمان در تاریخ بشریت به اهمیت استقرار دموکراسی و مشارکت مردم در اداره زندگانی خود در عرصه های شخصی٬ اجتماعی و سیاسی پی برده اند و در باره آن تأمّل٬ تعمّق٬ گفتگو و کوشش می نمایند. از این روست که بررسی میراث مشروطیّت و موضوع های مدرنیته٬ آزادی ٬ دموکراسی و استقلال در ایران و خاورمیانه و آسیای میانه از جمله مباحثی هستند که پژوهشگران و دانشمندان محترم سخنران این کنفرانس با مهمانان گرامی در میان خواهند گزارد. جای آن دارد که از یکایک سخنرانان محترمی که اوقات گرامی خود را -- و بسیاری از راههای دور -- صرف تشریف فرمایی به این کنفرانس می نمایند٬ مراتب کمال سپاسگزاری را به جای آوریم.
همچنین موجب خوشوقتی ماست که همزمان با برگزاری این کنفرانس٬ اعلام تأسیس بنیاد دانشگاهی ي ِ دکتر محمّد مصدّق در دانشگاه نورت ایسترن را به آگاهی شما برسانیم. این بنیاد که بنابر آگاهی ما نخستین نمونه دانشگاهی آن در سراسر جهان محسوب می شود٬ از سال تحصیلی آینده به حداقل یک دانشجو در "نورت ایسترن" به نام دکتر مصدّق٬ بورس دانشگاهی اهدا خواهد کرد.
اطلاعات مربوط به این بنیاد در نامه پیوست تقدیم می گردد.
ما امیدواریم که شما با شرکت در این کنفرانس تاریخی که به منزله جشن سده انقلاب بزرگ مشروطیّت ایران است به آن رونق بخشید. انقلابی که از نظر دکتر فریدون آدمیت٬ مورخ برجسته ي مشروطیّت٬ ارمغان روشنفکران همسو با روح زمانه جهان آن روز به منظور پیشرفت اجتماعی و سیاسی و زندگانی بهتر برای مردم ایران بود و از نظر دکتر هوشنگ کشاورز صدر٬ انقلابی بود که برای نخستین بار در تاریخ ایران با مدوّن ساختن حقوق مردم در قانون اساسی مشروطه٬ تاریکی آسمان برخورداری مردم از حقوق اجتماعی و سیاسی را به روشنایی گرایاند.
به امید دیدار شما در روزهای کنفرانس.
با تقدیم شایسته ترین احترامات٬
کمیته برگزاری کنفرانس مشروطیّت در دانشگاه نورت ایسترن ایلینوی
Democracy in Iran, Middle East and Central Asia:
Past Traditions and Future Prospects
(An International Conference of The 11th Annual Asian-American Heritage Program in Commemoration of the Centennial of The 1906 Iranian Constitutional Revolution)
Co-Sponsored by: NEIU International Programs, NEIU Graduate College, Northeastern Programming Board, NEIU Honors Program, and Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh Leadership Fund at NEIU Foundation
(All Events, except otherwise indicated, are in Alumni Hall)
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
9:00am - 10:50am Iranian Constitutional Revolution: Legacy and Impact
Chair: Yasmin A. Ranney, Assistant Dean, Academic Development, Northeastern Illinois University
Janet Afary, Purdue University, “Legacy of Iranian Constitutional Revolution”
Daryoush Ashouri, Writer and Linguist (France) “Abortive Birth of a Nation”
Fakhreddin Azimi, University of Connecticut, “Constitutionalism and Governance: An Overview”
Ali Gheissari, University of San Diego, Iranian Constitutional Revolution: Democracy or State-Building?”
11:00am - 12:50pm Prospects and Challenges of Human Rights in Iran, Middle East and Central Asia
Chair: David Rustchman, Northeastern Illinois University
Curt Goering, Senior Deputy Executive Director, Amnesty International, New York, "The Arc of Justice: Current Human Rights Struggles in the Middle East and Central Asia"
Mansour Bonakdarian (Discussant), Hofstra University, Chair of the International Society for Iranian Studies Committee for Academic and intellectual Freedom
1:25pm - 3:30pm Islam and Democracy in Iran, Middle East and Central Asia: Future Prospects
Chair: T.Y. Okosun, Justice Studies, Northeastern Illinois University
Gunes Murat Tezcur, Loyola University, "Is Islam really relevant for understanding democratization (or its lack thereof)?”
Norma Moruzzi, University of Illinois at Chicago, Citizenship and Participation: Iranian Women’s Public Presence”
Nader Hashemi, Northwestern University, "The Torturous Path to Liberal Democracy: Relevant Notes on the Tension between Islam and Democracy during Iran's 20th Century."
Russell Zanca, Northeastern Illinois University (Discussant)
4:15pm – 5:30pm Iranian Constitutional Revolution: The Role of Women and the Emergence of Modern Self
Chair: Shahrzad Mahootian, Linguistics Department, Northeastern Illinois University
Minoo Varzegar, Rutgers University, “The Role of Women in Iranian Constitutional Revolution”
Houra Yavari, Columbia University, "Is Public Life Publishable: Autobiography and Persian Self"
7:00pm – 9:00pm A Keynote Address
Introducer: Mohemad Talha Anarwala, NPB
Session Chair: Vali Siadat, Daley College, Chicago
Stephen Kinzer, Author and Senior New York Times Correspondent
“The American Way of Intervention: Is Iran Next?”
Followed by a book signing by Mr. Kinzer for his new book: Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq
* * *
Thursday, April 6, 2006
9:25am – 12:05pm The Prospects of Democracy and Viable Peaceful US Policies in Iran, Middle East and Central Asia
Chair: Professor David Leaman, Northeastern Illinois University
Stephen Kinzer, Author and Senior New York Times Correspondent, “Constitutional Rule in Iran: Is it Gone Forever?”
Anora Mahumudova, BBC World Central Asia Service Correspondent in the US and at the United Nations, "US's changing policy in the different 'Stans' in the post-Soviet environment"
Steve LeVine, Wall Street Journal Correspondent (based in Caucasus/Central Asia 1992-2003), “US Policy in Central Asia”
Danny Postel, Author, Journalist and Senior Editor of Open Democracy, “Reading Legitimation Crisis in Tehran: Liberalism, Internationalism, and the Upheaval in Iran Today”
12:15pm – 2:00pm International and Regional Significance of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution
Chair: Vicki Roman-Lagunas, Associate Provost, Academic Affairs, Northeastern Illinois University
Touraj Atabaki, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, “The Movement for Constitutionalism in Iran and its Trans-Caspian Dependencies”
Cyrus Bina, University of Minnesota at Morris, “The Heart and Soul of the Middle East: The Making of the Constitutional Revolution."
Mansour Bonakdarian, Hofstra University, “The international reception and impact of the Iranian revolution”
2:00pm – 3:15pm Children of the Sun (A Documentary Film about Ancient Iran), in presence of the filmmaker, Mansooreh Saboori, IranDokht Productions, Boston, Massachusetts
Introduction and Chair: Simin Hemmati-Rasmussen, Northeastern Illinois University
Room TBA
2:50pm – 4:40pm Traditions and Prospects of Democracy in Central Asia
Chair: Charles Steinwedel, Northeastern Illinois University
Steve LeVine, Wall Street Journal Correspondent (based in Caucasus/Central Asia 1992-2003), “Prospects for Democracy in Central Asia”
Anora Mahumudova, BBC World Central Asia Service Correspondent in the US and at the United Nations, "Are Central Asians ready for 'western style' democracy?"
Touraj Atabaki, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands (Discussant)
Russell Zanca, Associate Professor, Anthropology, Northeastern Illinois University (Discussant)
4:15pm – 5:30pm Reflections of Iran and Human Rights in Iran in Ario Mashayekhi’s works (Room TBA)
Chair: Azar Khounani, Founder and Executive Director of Kids Academy, Illinois
Ario Mashayekhi, Chicago Based Artist
7:00pm “Remember the Dead Candle, Remember!” A Special Candle Lighting and Poetry Reading Ceremony for Peace on the occasion of the Centennial of the 1906 Iranian ConstitutionalRevolution.
Ceremony Leader: Dan Creely, HPERA, Northeastern Illinois University
Poetry Reading by Nahid Shafiei, Persian Literature Educator, Chicago
Songs will be performed by Gerald Chaney accompanied by Ms. Jane Kenas Heller on piano
7:20pm Keynote Speech and Presentation, Reza Deghati
Welcome and Opening Remarks: Salme Harju Steinberg, President, Northeastern Illinois University
Chair: Maziar Keshavarz, Founder and President of Keshavarz & Associates, West Palm Beach, Florida
“Great Game and Democracy: A Slide Show on Central Asia, Caspian Sea and Afghanistan” Presented by Reza Deghati, Renowned National Geographic Photojournalist and the 2005 Recipient of Legion of Honor from the President of the France, the highest civilian honor in France, and Founder of AINA (Paris, France/Kabul, Afghanistan). This program includes a presentation of a DVD about the Concept and Realization of AINA titled: “A Human Adventure in Afghanistan,” Pictures and Narration by Reza.
This program will be followed by a Poster Signing Ceremony by Mr. Deghati.
10:00pm Peace Fire Ceremony for the Centennial of Iranian Constitutional Revolution
Dan Creely, Northeastern Illinois University
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Friday, April 7*, 2006
*Sessions are in Persian, except noted otherwise.
9:00am – 3:15pm Children of the Sun (A Documentary Film about Ancient Iran), This film in English will be shown in presence of the filmmaker, Mansooreh Saboori, IranDokht Productions, Boston, Massachusetts
Introduction and Chair: Simin Hemmati-Rasmussen, Associate Professor, Northeastern Illinois University
10:00am – 12:00noon Two Perspectives on Iranian Constitutional Revolution
Chair: Hamid Akbari, Northeastern Illinois University
Daryoush Ashouri, Writer and Linguist (France), Abortive Birth of a Nation
Hamid Shokat, Writer and Researcher (Germany), Constitutional Revolution: Factors Impacting Passage from Despotism to Freedom
1:00pm – 2:50pm Literary Legacy of Constitutional Revolution
Chair: Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa, Columbia College, Chicago
Houra Yavari, Columbia University, Persian Novel and Modernity
Saeed Yousef Ghahramani, University of Chicago, The Offerings and Aspect of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution for the Poets: From Changing the Addressee to a Dilemma of the Addressee
3:00pm, Reflections of Iran and Human Rights in Iran in Ario Mashayekhi’s works
Chair: Azar Khounani, Founder and Executive Director of Kids Academy, Illinois
Ario Mashayekhi, Chicago Based Artist
7:00pm – 8:00pm (Recital Hall)
Introduction: Azar Khounani, Founder and Executive Director of Kids Academy, Illinois
Dr. Mehdi Forough, Founder of College of Dramatic Arts, “Haj Mirza Yahya Dowlatabadi and His Poetry”
8:30pm – 9:45pm (Recital Hall, In English) A Special Violin Recital of Classical Music performed by Mr. Cyrus Forough (Violin) and Tatyana Stepanova (Piano) in Memory of Mr. Forough’s Grand Father (Haj Mirja Yahya Dowlatabadi, a prominent Constitutionalist of 1906 Revolution Era and among the main founders of the modern school systems in Iran) and his Mother, Mrs. Fakhri Forough Dowlatabadi (One of the Iranian women pioneers in playing and teaching Western Classical Music).
Professor Cyrus is a full time faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and is on the faculty at Roosevelt University's College of Performing Arts in Chicago.
Welcome and Opening Remarks: Murrell J. H. Duster, Dean, Academic Development, Northeastern Illinois University
Remarks about Mrs. Fakhri Forough: Azar Khounani, Founder and Executive Director of Kids Academy, Illinois
Remarks about Haj Mirza Yahya Dowlatabadi, Janet Afary, Purdue University
Recital Program:
Sonata for Piano and violin in G major K 301 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Allegro con Spirito (1756-1791) AllegroSonata for Piano and Violin in C minor Op. 30 No. 2 Ludwig van Beethoven Allegro con brio (1770-1826)Three Arias Dr. Mehdi Forough Aresou (Longing) (1911) Al-Ninn Atu Li, Liah Caravan Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Camille Saint Saens (1835-1921)
Saturday, April 8*, 2006
* All programs in Persian, except the National Geographic Film showing at 5:30pm
10:00am – 12:00noon, International and Regional Significance of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution
Chair: Dr. Janet Afary, Purdue University
Touraj Atabaki, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, “The Movement for Constitutionalism in Iran and its Trans-Caspian Dependencies”
Cyrus Bina, University of Minnesota at Morris, “The Heart and Soul of the Middle East: The Making of the Constitutional Revolution"
Fariba Zarinebaf, Northwestern University, “Constitutionalism and Modernity in Iran and Ottoman Empire”
1:00pm – 3:30pm, Legacy of Iranian Constitutional Revolution
Chair: Daryoush Ashouri, Writer and Linguist, France
Houshang Keshavarz Sadr, Writer and Researcher, France, “Lessons from the First Constitutional Parliament”
Janet Afary, Purdue University, “Legacy of the Constitutional Revolution”
Fakhreddin Azimi, University of Connecticut, “Remarks on the Problems of Constitutionalism in Iran”
Ali Gheissari, University of San Diego, “Iranian Constitutional Revolution: Democracy or State Building?”
3:45pm – 5:00pm, Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh, the Prominent Figure Among the Constitutional Freedom Fighters
Chair: Behrouz Azarnoush, Iran House of Greater Chicago
Speaker: Dr. Saeid Fatemi, Personal Translator of Dr. Mossadegh at Hague Tribunal
5:30pm, Reza Deghati will speak (in Persian) after the showing of his Film ("True Originals" Reza Shooting back) A national Geographic television Documentary on Reza's work, ideas, retracing all the period from the start of work through Iran revolution, and 25 years of coverage of the world's most important events, to the funding of AINA, and the creation of an independent media in Afghanistan.
For more information, please check the conference website at:
http://www.neiu.edu/~acdevelo/1906DemocracyConference/ or call The Office of Academic Development at (773) 442-5441 or (773) 442-6126