Arrangement

This two-day seminar is for Turkish and Norwegian Scholars to come together to discuss the democratization processes in the wake of the Arab Spring. The role of Turkey, processes of change in the geopolitics of the Middle East and Syria and the Arab Spring are also on the agenda on the first day of this seminar. The topics for the second day are student and faculty exchanges between Norway and Turkey and lessons to be learned from mediation in Cyprus, Balkans and the Oslo Process.

Attendance at this seminar is by invitation only.

Thursday May 23rd
Venue: Hotel Bristol

10:00 – 10:15 Welcome address
                     Daniel Heradstveit

10:15 – 11:00 Introductory discussions
                    G. Matthew Bonham (moderator)

Before we start the plenum sessions each team composed of one from Turkey and one from Norway should spend some time discussing the topic they are asked to introduce between themselves. This in order to identify problem areas that they both agree on would be fruitful and of interest for further discussions in plenum.

Session 1
11:00–12:00 Democratization processes in the wake of the Arab Spring
                  Esra Çuhadar & Bernt Hagtvet

Session 2
12:00 – 13:00 The role of Turkey
                     Meliha Altunışık & Frank Aarebrot

13:00–14:00 Lunch

Session 3
14:00– 15:00 Processes of change in the geopolitics of the Middle East
                    Mustafa Aydin & Per Erik Solli

Session 4
15:00–16:00 Syria and the Arab Spring
                   Mensur Akgün & Jan Egeland

16:00–17:00 Concluding discussion: What is there to be gained by closer cooperation between Norway and Turkey
                   Siri Neset

19:30 Dinner

Friday May 24th
 
Venue: NUPI

Session 1
10:00–11:00 Student and faculty exchanges between Norway and Turkey
                   Terje Hagen University of Oslo

Session 2 
  
11:00 – 12:00 Lessons to be learned from mediation in Cyprus, Balkans and the Oslo Process
                    Sylvia Tiryaki & Thorvald Stoltenberg

12:00–12:30 Concluding remarks
                   G. Matthew Bonham

13:00– 15:00 Lunch at Frognerseteren