HIA Netherlands Hosts Debate on the European Impact of Arab Change

On April 28, HIA Netherlands and De Balie, a leading center for politics, culture and media in Amsterdam, will host a public event entitled "Arabic Change, European Shift: The impact of the Arabic revolution on European policy and the European community."

Many dictators in the Arab world and North Africa feel the pressure of the continuing protests; from Morocco to Bahrain people are discontent about oppression, corruption and unemployment. The consequences of these change are incalculable. The region will never look the same, but what do they mean for Europe? What does a "democratic" Arab world mean for European politics and policies? To what extent will Europe benefit from an emancipated Arab population? How are Arab and Muslim communities in Europe affected by the Arab democratic revolutions?

Led by playwright and radio host Pieter Hilhorst, a panel of experts – including Rouba Al Fattal (Canadian-Syrian scholar), Atef Hamdy (migration and extremism expert at the Clingendael Institute), Alexander Weissink (writer and journalist), Nadia Bouras (Researcher in Moroccan migration history at Leiden University), El Yamine Soum (French-Algerian sociologist) and Marietje Schaake (MEP D66, Netherlands) – will debate the effects of the Arab revolution on Europe.

Following the debate, Pieter Hilhorst will interview journalist Alexander Weissink and present Alexander Weissink’s latest book, Egypte: habibies, helden en huichelaars (De Bezige Bij 2011).

The debate and interview will be held in English and will take place on the April 28 at De Balie (Kleine Gartmanplantsoen 10 Amsterdam) at 20:00. Tickets are available through the De Balie website or HIA Senior Fellows may email assistant.nl@humanityinaction.org for tickets.