Middle East Dialogue

View the 2023 program and videos
View programs and videos from past years

The Middle East Dialogue (MED) is moving the in-person portion of the event to the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies at Villanova University, where PSO’s Digest of Middle East Studies journal is hosted. The event has established an international reputation as a focal point for new research, and a forum for the exchange of opinions and different views. The event is for policymakers, scholars, business and social leaders, to discuss current issues. Its purpose is to promote multidisciplinary conversation about topics that include, but are not limited to:  

Other topic suggestions will be most welcome. The general theme of the conference does not preclude other topics from being in the program. Our goal is to promote multidisciplinary conversation and networking across the social and political spectrum. You may visit our Digest of Middle East Dialogue journal for an idea of the variety of topics covered. You may also check out the links to programs and videos from previous years.

Submissions:

The call for proposals is now open for the 2024 Middle East Dialogue. To submit a proposal for consideration for next year, please send a 1-2 pages abstract to PSO Executive Director, Daniel Gutierrez, at  dgutierrezs@ipsonet.org. The abstract should be a summary of your intended topic that gives the reader a concise idea of what you intend to speak about. The deadline for submissions will be March 15, 2024. Proposals can be in the form of individual presentations, panels, round tables. Other suggestions on topics and format will be most welcome.

The Forum is co-chaired by Prof. Catherine Warrick from the Villanova University and the Editor-in-Chief of Digest of Middle East Studies (DOMES), Prof. Paul Rich, President of the Policy Studies Organization, and Prof. Laura Culbertson from American Public University System.

Registration Information: 

Thanks to the kindness of sponsors the registration fee is complimentary but registration is important so we can plan for logistics accordingly.

PSO AND THE MIDDLE EAST

The Policy Studies Organization vigorously supports Middle East research and teaching by a growing library of books from its Westphalia Press, by its well known journal, Digest of Middle East Studies, and by an annual conference in Washington which has produced an extensive collection of videos from past conferences.    

As for what is covered, our view is that the terms Near East, Arab world, Muslim and Islamic topics, and Middle East often cover similar topics. Both the Executive Director and President of PSO have visited the region. The president, Dr. Rich, was involved in the development of universities in Saudi Arabia and head of supervisory affairs in the Ministry of Education and Culture in Qatar — and has written or edited a number of books on the area. Some of these have been published or republished by Westphalia Press.   

The PSO has been very fortunate in cooperating with the Next Century Foundation, a British-based think tank, and counting among among its many activities the generation of reports on developments in the Middle East. They have contributed outstanding speakers for the annual conference.   

Our journal greatly prospered and benefited in its coverage through many years from the editorship of Dr. Mohammed Aman, Dean of the library school of the University of Wisconsin, Egyptian by birth and mentor to generations of Muslim students coming to America. Several of his books are published by Westphalia Press.   

We currently partner in the journal and other ways with Dr. Catherine Warrick at Villanova University, where Professor Warwick is Director of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies. She welcomes manuscripts on a wide variety of subjects.   The PSO is always interested in projects, including publishing and proposals which are media oriented, but is open to any ideas that stretch the boundaries of Middle East scholarship. Those needing information and those with interesting suggestions are encouraged to contact the Executive Director, Daniel Gutierrez, at any time. Presentations at the future annual conferences can take advantage of its hybrid nature, meeting in Washington every year in March and online. 

The PSO  is glad to meet you if you come to Washington, whether it be for a conference or editorial meeting or other purposes. We have student interns who have volunteered to assist visitors, and we welcome a chance to suggest activities.  Simply contact Daniel Gutierrez at dgutierrezs@ipsonet.org

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