Institute presents discussion on religion and democracy in the Middle East

April 23, 2007

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Experts with wide-ranging insights on Religion and Democracy in the Middle East spoke at a roundtable discussion on the subject presented April 20 by the Institute for the Arts and Humanities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Almost 100 people attended the event, held in Hyde Hall. A reception followed the event.

Participating in the roundtable were:

• Rye Barcott, a 2001 UNC-Chapel Hill graduate, marine veteran of the war in Iraq, and founder of the nonprofit Carolina for Kibera, which helps alleviate poverty in Nairobi, Kenya, in Eastern Africa. In 2006 Barcott was named one of ABC World News' "Persons of the Year" for his extraordinary public service. Barcott received a dual degree from UNC in Peace, War, and Defense and International Studies. He is now a joint-degree student at the Kennedy School and Harvard Business School.
  
  
• Charles Kurzman, a professor of sociology at UNC-Chapel Hill, was an advisory board member on the Social Science Research Council of the United States Agency for International Development Democracy and Governance Evaluation Design Project. Kurzman has also served as an executive board member of the Center for Iranian Research and Analysis. His recent research is in the area of Islamic studies. He has authored several books and many articles. Among his most prominent publications are: The Unthinkable Revolution in Iran and Democracy Denied, 1905-1915: Intellectuals and Constitutionalism in the Developing World.
  
  
• Andrew Reynolds, a professor of political science at UNC whose research and teaching focuses on democratization, constitutional design and electoral politics. Reynolds has worked for many organizations, including the United Nations and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). Reynolds also recently served as a consultant on issues of electoral and constitutional design in Kabul, reporting on election preparations in Afghanistan and in Rangoon, Burma.

The Institute for the Arts and Humanities, part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's College of Arts and Sciences, offers programs and activities that support UNC faculty at every stage of their careers. The Institute funds individual and collaborative research projects, showcases faculty work, develops faculty leaders and teachers, and facilitates the formation of collaborative, interdisciplinary communities that promote intellectual exchange. For more information, contact the Institute at (919) 962-0249 or visit www.iah.unc.edu.