News

The Gulf Studies Center at the American University of Kuwait recently sponsored a lecture by Dr. Elsadig Abunafeesa, Senior Political Advisor to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) and long-time advisor to the UN on conflict prevention and resolution in Cambodia, South Africa, Afghanistan, Iraq and Ghana.
 
Approximately 60 students, faculty, staff and guests gathered at the American Corner in the AUK library to listen to Dr. Abunafeesa speak about the challenges of peace-building, democracy and national reconciliation in war-torn Iraq.

Abunafeesa began the lecture by examining some of the recent historical events that have contributed to Iraq's current instability, focusing on the post-Cold War and September 11th rise of American unilateralism that led to the 2003 invasion. He commented that the United States continues to dominate Iraq's political arena, ultimately constraining the role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq.

Until now, the United Nations has not been able to effectively carry out its mandate, backed by Security Council Resolution 1546, of aiding Iraq's peace-building and reconstruction efforts. The organization's activities have been limited to helping with electoral commissions and distributing vaccinations to 5 million children.

The United States is the "greatest" country in the world in terms of resources, he noted, and therefore is most able to make a positive change in Iraq. He urged U.S. policymakers, particularly the incoming Democratic leadership, to consider two very important issues when deliberating a change in Iraq policy. First, there must be a timetable for troop withdrawal. Second, there must be amendments to the Iraqi constitution, which he called "very divisive" in its current form for not ensuring equal distribution of oil revenues among the country's regions. Abunafeesa warned that without these measures, Iraq will split into sectarian parts.

He lauded current Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's 34-point program introduced in May of this year, which includes plans for accelerating the training of Iraqi forces to speed up the departure of foreign troops and for fostering national reconciliation. Currently Baghdad suffers from "invisible borders" separating Sunnis from Shi'a, a situation that requires many Iraqis to carry two identification cards as a form of protection, each bearing a typically Shi'a or Sunni name.

To those who argue that there is "no imposition of democracy in Iraq," Abunafeesa highlighted several factors indicating otherwise, namely that the constitution was drafted by the United States; the recent parliamentary elections did not take place in an environment conducive to elections; the UN was not asked to supervise or monitor the elections; and preparations for the elections were not done in the proper way. He underscored his argument by affirming, "Democracy is a home-grown issue. It cannot be imposed."
 

Dr. Abunafeesa gives a lecture at AUK

"Majors Fair" took place once again on AUK's campus yesterday, November 28. It was a perfect day to be outside. Food and drinks were provided by our new "Wildcats Diner" and prizes were to be won. A winning raffle ticket could reward a student anything from dinner coupons to airline tickets. Prizes were graciously provided by the following companies: Edo Restaurant, Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Marina Hotel, IKEA, Kuwait Scientific Center, JW Marriott Hotel, Lufthansa Airlines, Najd Travels, National Offset Company, Teshkeel Comics, and National Bank of Kuwait. AUK would like to thank all those companies for contributing to the success of the event.

All academic departments were represented by their faculty. Their individual tables provided brochures, leaflets, major declaration forms, and displayed videos and various publications. Faculty members of each department were available throughout the duration of the Fair to answer students' questions and offer insight about their respective fields.

It's important to note as well, that seven AUK students have formed a local chapter of a coalition called STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) which spans over 600 universities, colleges, and high schools. Those seven students gave a presentation in the Multipurpose Room during Majors Fair in an ambitious attempt to raise awareness of the situation in Darfur and to move other students to help out by donating to the cause. Best of luck to them in this noble cause!
 

The American University of Kuwait will be closed

from Sunday, October 22 until October 25,

2006 for the Eid Holidays.

AUK had a brief but compelling talk from a very charismatic Dr. Sarah Brewer, Associate Director of the Women and Politics Institute at American University in Washington DC, and author of numerous notable publications such as Gendering American Politics: Perspectives from the Literature, Women Campaign Consultants: A New Actor in the Campaign Process, and Women in Politics: Outsiders or Insiders?

Approximately 50 students, faculty and staff members gathered at the American Corner at the library to listen to Dr. Brewer speak about the challenges of Women's Political Participation.

Brewer noted that much of what stands in the way of women's political participation are societal barriers. Women are generally not ambitious enough, this is partly due to them being part of societies that don't look favorably upon strong, ambitious women, and having historically not been socialized into politics.

A poll in the United States showed that only 40% of women have ever thought about running for office, while nearly all men said to have thought about it at some point in their lives.

Access problems have been eradicated, both in the US and now in Kuwait, but there still exist many structural barriers that keep women from entering the political sphere, she said. There are business and social networks that govern politics which are traditionally dominated by male society, and those are the most difficult barriers to deconstruct.

Brewer said it was very important to mention the work of one organization which was built on the idea of empowering women nation-wide to enter politics. Emily's List, founded by Ellen Malcolm in the mid-1980s, sought to raise funds and sponsor women all over the US who were running for public office. The methods of Emily's List were revolutionary at the time because they did not limit funding to any particular district.

She went on to describe the ability barrier in women. A self-inflicted problem, the ability barrier stems from a woman's own self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Studies showed, she said, that men despite how unqualified they are, always feel like they can do the job. Women, on the other hand, no matter how qualified, tend to feel like they don't know and can't do enough. Women need a lot more encouragement than men to run for office, and are quickly discouraged by not winning, and often don't try again.

Brewer commended Kuwaiti women for their recent enfranchisement and urged them to make use of their rights and to not shy away from entering the political arena. She congratulated Jawaher Ali-Redha, President of AUK's student body, for having won the title and encouraged her to stay politically active, noting that people who start practicing politics at the university level are more likely to succeed in making a political career for themselves later in life.
 

Ramadan Mubarak!

Dominique Lynette Gergen from the small town of Dalhart, Texas, is a member of the Dartmouth class of 2007. At Dartmouth, she is pursuing a major in English Literature and a minor in Spanish Language and Literature. Dominique is a teaching assistant at the Claflin Jewelry Studio and participates in the America Reads program as a tutor to young children. She has completed training as an Eating Disorder Peer Advisor (EDPA) and a Sexual Abuse Peer Advisor (SAPA), and played rugby during her freshman year at Dartmouth. Her other interests include Kayaking, wood-working, dance and travel. Dominique is delighted to be travelling to the American University of Kuwait to serve as an intern in Fall 2006.
 

Rose Mutiso, Dartmouth class of 2008, plans to major in Engineering Sciences with a double minor in Mathematics and Women and Gender Studies. She was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. At Dartmouth, Rose is actively involved with the Tucker Foundation where she chairs a local community service program. She has also served as a Tucker Foundation Fellow in Tanzania, among other service projects. Rose also works for the Dartmouth College Writing Program as a Writing Assistant, and as an Undergraduate Advisor for the Office of Residential Life. In Kuwait, Rose looks forward to pursuing her interests in Women and Gender Studies and to exploring the relationship between culture/religion and the Western model of economic and social progress. Rose is passionate about people, nature, life, social justice, equality, sustainability and Africa. She enjoys singing, thinking and smiling.