Forum to address how media shape perceptions of the Middle East and the West
Kennesaw State hosts Atlanta’s first Egyptian−American dialogue
Georgia (Apr 1, 2009) — Forum to address how media shape perceptions of the Middle East and the West
Sabbaye McGriff
Abstract
Director of University Relations
Frances Weyand Harrison
770−423−6203
fharris4@kennesaw.edu
Contact/Writer: Sabbaye McGriff‚ 678−797−2550 or smcgrif1@kennesaw.edu
MEDIA ADVISORY
Forum to address how media shape perceptions of the Middle East and the West
Kennesaw State hosts Atlanta’s first Egyptian−American dialogue
KENNESAW‚ Ga. (April 1‚ 2009) — Two journalists working in Egypt and America will tackle sensitive issues of the
media−fueled stereotypes and negative perceptions Middle Easterners and Americans
hold about each other during a public forum at Kennesaw State University on Sunday‚
April 5.
What:
The forum — a joint project of Kennesaw State’s Center for Conflict Management‚ the
Washington‚ D.C.−based Hands Along the Nile Development Services (HANDS)‚ and Egypt’s
Forum for Intercultural Dialogue — is part of an ongoing series of American− Egyptian
dialogues held in the U.S. and Egypt since 2004. Kennesaw State is hosting the first
gathering of university professors‚ journalists and civil activists who participate
in the periodic dialogues in metro Atlanta.
Hosting the dialogue reflects Kennesaw State’s university−wide global learning goals
and it expanding relationships with Egypt. Last spring KSU signed an agreement with
the Egyptian University Sports Federation (EUSF) to advance athletic opportunities
for persons with disabilities in Egypt and partnerships with two Egyptian universities
to promote faculty and student exchanges. Linda Johnson‚ director of the university’s
Center for Conflict Management and a HANDS board member‚ took 22 students on two study−abroad
trips to Egypt last year.
Who:
Featured journalists participating in the forum:
Amina Shafik‚ a columnist with Egypt’s Al Ahram newspaper‚ who served as the Egyptian Press Syndicate’s
first female secretary−general and is active in the country’s National Council on
Women.
Mona Eltahawy‚ a New York City−based syndicated columnist and journalist of Egyptian
descent‚ is an international public speaker on Arab and Muslim issues. Eltahawy was
the first Egyptian to report for a Western news agency in Israel. Her columns have
appeared in the International Herald Tribune‚ The Washington Post‚ the pan−Arab Asharq
al Awsat newspaper and Qatar’s Al−Arab. Eltahawy appears frequently as a guest analyst
on cable and network television and radio programs on ABC‚ PBS‚ CNN‚ MSNBC‚ VOA‚ Fox‚
NPR and the BBC.
When and Where:
Sunday‚ April 5‚ 7 – 9 p.m. in the Atrium of the Social Sciences Building (#22) at
Kennesaw State University‚ 1000 Chastain Rd.‚ Kennesaw‚ Ga. 30144. The public is
invited. For more information on the American−Egyptian dialogues‚ visit www.handsalongthenile.org
Kennesaw State University is the third−largest university in Georgia‚ offering more than 65 graduate and undergraduate degrees‚ including new doctorates in education and business. A member of the 35−unit University System of Georgia‚ Kennesaw State is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing student population of more than 21‚000 from 142 countries.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 38,000 students. With 13 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
