September 2005

The Huston School of Film & Digital Media, NUI Galway. 29th September-2nd October 2005 In 1996, it was voted the most popular Irish film of all time by Irish Times readers and continues to fascinate people. When it was released on video in 1985, it sold 200,000 copies in Britain alone within four years. The John Ford classic film The Quiet Man continues to fascinate and enthral audiences, making it a cult movie like others such as Gone with the Wind and Ryan's Daughter. However, some people regard it as idealistic, nostalgic and containing more than its fair share of paddywhackery. A modern viewing of The Quiet Man provides much food for thought and from the 29th September – 2 October a conference entitled "New perspectives on The Quiet Man" will be hosted by the Huston School of Film & Digital Media at NUI Galway. The event involves both the analysis of aspects of The Quiet Man as myth, commodity and fetish and the celebration of a film that has sustained such enthusiastic attention and popular appreciation for 50 years. Among the topics considered will be the complexity of the film's relation to Ireland and to John Ford s other films; its perceived place with regard to indigenous Irish cinema; and the phenomenon of its circulation and reception as a cult film over the years. As Rod Stoneman, Director of the Huston School of Film & Digital Media at NUI Galway has remarked: " The Quiet Man is a pivotal film in Irish culture, a film that has achieved cult status long ago and been much debated in recent years. John Ford s classic film offered an image of Ireland that has circulated internationally and still brings many tourists to these shores. It is especially appropriate to be staging the conference amid the locations of the film's original shooting in 1951." Among the contributors to the conference will be some leading international academics, including Professor Luke Gibbons (Keough Family Chair of Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame), Dr. Ruth Barton (University College, Dublin), Dr. Richard C. Allen (University of Sunderland, UK), and Dr. Michael Gillespie (Louise Edna Goeden Professor of English, Marquette University, Wisconsin, USA). Luke Gibbons, the author of a book on the film, will examine The Quiet Man with regard to John Ford's westerns. Ruth Barton argues that we need to read the character of Mary Kate in The Quiet Man against the background of Maureen O Hara as the star of a series of films previous to The Quiet Man that saw her wield a sword, ride horseback across the desert and make love to pirates of dubious reputation, in films such as The Spanish Main and Sinbad the Sailor, and not exclusively as a fantasised representation of Irish femininity. Richard C. Allen, in a paper entitled " 'I've come home, and home I'm gonna stay': The Quiet Man in Irish-American cinematic history," argues that while the film is fictional and stereotypical, it offers some powerful insights into the experience of exile and homecoming. Indeed, as a vehicle for exploring issues such as emigration and exile; landownership; the subordination of women; and the controlling influence of the Catholic Church, Allen argues that this tragic-comedy allows the audience to engage at a high level with the emotional turbulence of the exile's condition. Michael Gillespie will present the provocatively titled paper 'Is Californication a Mortal Sin?' in which he argues that The Quiet Man, despite its being made along conventional Hollywood lines, is an Irish film and as such provides insights into what features legitimately define that category. A full programme of conference papers and screenings is available from the Huston School. There will also be screenings of a special 35mm print of The Quiet Man brought in from an archive in Los Angeles, and related films and visits to the locations in Connemara where the film was made. The Quiet Man screening, to be held in the Town Hall on Saturday (October 1st) at 4pm, will also be preceded by a Q&A with the acclaimed Irish playwright and screenwriter, Hugh Leonard. The fee for this screening is €6/€4. The conference is one of an ongoing series of events at the Huston School including conferences on 'New Scottish Cinema' on November 4th - 5th and 'Women in the Picture 2' next January.

A valuable collection of personal letters and other material belonging to a close friend of Douglas Hyde, An Craobhín Aoibhinn, eminent Gaelic scholar and first President of Ireland, has been presented to NUI Galway. The collection has come from the family of Tom Morrisroe who was born and raised in Ratra, near Frenchpark, Co Roscommon, close to the home of Dr Douglas Hyde. A strong friendship developed between the two men, which lasted throughout their lives, maintained by regular correspondence. The Hyde papers presented include family photographs showing Tom Morrisroe fishing and socialising with the Hyde family, indicating a close social relationship. The Morrisroe-Hyde papers include an extensive collection of letters in Irish from Douglas Hyde, who had taught Irish to Morrisroe, as well as material relating to Hyde's visit to the US to fundraise for the revival of the Irish language. The papers will join Lamhscribhinní de hÍde, 120 manuscripts gathered by Dr Hyde during the course of his folklore studies and other related material already held in the archives of the James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway. Tom Morrisroe joined An Garda Síochána and served in Mayo and later was stationed in Galway as Garda Sergeant until his death in a car accident in 1954. His daughters, Evelyn Morrisroe Connolly and Sr Bernadine (Breege) Morrisroe, were born and spent their early childhood on what is now the NUI Galway campus at Morrisroe House, current home to the University's Department of Philosophy. Evelyn now lives in Westchester, New York and Sr Bernadine is based in the Convent of Mercy, Dunmore, Co Galway. Speaking at the presentation of the Hyde papers to NUI Galway, Evelyn Morrisroe-Connolly said: I am so happy that these precious documents, which have been in my family's possession for more than fifty years have finally found a suitable home in the James Hardiman Library, which is not a stone's throw from where my sister and I played as children. My father and his beloved friend, 'An Craobhín Aoibhinn', enjoyed a life-long friendship which is reflected in the many letters written to my father from both Hyde's home in Frenchpark and Áras an Uachtaráin. Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI Galway said: The presentation of the Morrisroe-Hyde papers renews the long-standing relationship of the Morrisroe family with NUI Galway. On behalf of the entire University community, I thank the Morrisroe family, and Evelyn Morrisroe Connolly in particular, for presenting these important Hyde papers to the James Hardiman Library. This donation will substantially enrich our Library's holdings relating to Douglas Hyde and the early years of the Irish language revival. Marie Reddan, Librarian, James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway said; We are delighted to receive this significant collection of historical correspondence which will complement existing material, including manuscripts the Library holds relating to Douglas Hyde. The Morrisroe-Hyde papers are an important primary resource for research into the social, cultural and political history of Ireland in the late nineteenth century.

Tá bailiúchán litreacha pearsanta agus ábhar eile le dlúthchara le Dubhghlas de hÍde, An Craobhín Aoibhinn, scoláire Gaeilge mór le rá agus céad Uachtarán na hÉireann, bronnta ar OÉ, Gaillimh. Ó theaghlach Tom Morrisroe, a rugadh agus a tógadh i Ratra, gar do Dhún Gar, Co. Ros Comáin, in aice le baile an Dr Dubhghlas de hÍde a tháinig an bailiúchán. Bhí dlúthchairdeas idir an bheirt ar feadh a saoil agus bhídís i dteagmháil lena chéile go rialta. I measc pháipéir de hÍde a bronnadh tá grianghraif de Tom Morrisroe agus é ag iascach agus ag sóisialú le teaghlach de hÍde, rud a léiríonn an dlúthchairdeas a bhí eatarthu. I measc pháipéirí Morrisroe-de hÍde tá bailiúchán nach beag litreacha Gaeilge ó Dhubhghlas de hÍde, a mhúin an Ghaeilge do Morrisroe, mar aon le hábhair eile a bhaineann le cuairt de hÍde ar Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá agus é i mbun feachtas bailithe airgid d athbheochan na Gaeilge. Beidh na páipéir mar chuid de bhailiúchán lámhscríbhinní agus ábhar eile le de hÍde atá i gcartlann Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin, OÉ, Gaillimh, cheana féin. Bhí Tom Morrisroe ina Gharda Síochána i Maigh Eo agus ina Sháirsint i nGaillimh go dtí gur cailleadh i dtimpiste cairr i 1954 é. Rugadh a iníonacha, Evelyn Morrisroe Connolly agus Sr Bernadine (Breege) Morrisroe, agus chaith siad cuid mhaith dá n-óige san áit a bhfuil campas OÉ, Gaillimh lonnaithe anois. Roinn Fealsúnachta na hOllscoile atá i dTeach Morrisroe anois. Ag labhairt di ag bronnadh pháipéir de hÍde ar OÉ, Gaillimh, is é a dúirt Evelyn Morrisroe-Connolly: Táim an-sásta go bhfuil baile oiriúnach bainte amach ag na cáipéisí luachmhara seo, atá sa teaghlach seo againne le breis is caoga bliain anois. Níl Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin ach coiscéim coiligh ón áit a mbíodh mo dheirfiúr agus mé féin ag súgradh le linn ár n-óige. Dlúthchairde ar feadh a saoil ba ea m'athair agus 'An Craobhín Aoibhinn' agus tá sé sin le sonrú sna litreacha a scríodh chuig m'athair le linn do de hÍde a bheith i nDún Gar agus in Áras an Uachtaráin. Dúirt an Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, Uachtarán OÉ, Gaillimh, an méid seo: Le bronnadh pháipéir Morrisroe-de hÍde tá athnuachan á déanamh ar an gcaidreamh fada atá ag teaghlach Morrisroe le hOÉ, Gaillimh. Thar ceann phobal na hOllscoile ar fad, glabhaim buíochas le teaghlach Morrisroe, agus le Evelyn Morrisroe Connolly go háirithe, as na páipéir thábhachtacha seo de chuid de hÍde a bhronnadh ar Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin. Cuirfidh an tabhartas seo go mór le saibhreas ábhair na Leabharlainne a bhaineann le Dubhghlas de hÍde agus leis na blianta tosaigh d'athbheochan na Gaeilge. Is é a dúirt Marie Reddan, an Leabharlannaí, Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin, OÉ, Gaillimh: Is mór an chúis áthais dúinne an bailiúchán tábhachtach seo de chomhfhreagras stairiúil a fháil agus cuirfidh sé go mór leis an ábhar atá againn cheana féin, lena n-áirítear lámhscríbhinní, a bhaineann le Dubhghlas de hÍde. Is foinse bhunaidh thábhachtach iad páipéir Morrisroe-de hÍde do thaighde ar stair shóisialta, chultúir agus pholaitiúil na hÉireann ag deireadh an naoú céad déag.

Academic programmes will be language-centred, knowledge-based History was made in Gaoth Dobhair today (Friday 16 September), when the €5m NUI Galway Gaoth Dobhair campus, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, was officially opened by Éamon Ó Cúiv, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, in the presence of Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI Galway. The ceremony also included the conferring of Diplomas on 75 students, who completed academic programmes at the Gaoth Dobhair campus and for the first time in Ireland, NUI Galway conferred Honorary Degrees outside the Galway campus. Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde, Mícheál Mac Giolla Easbuic and Máire Mhic Niallais, three remarkable Donegal individuals, were conferred with honorary MA degrees, in recognition of the exceptional contribution they have made to their communities. Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde, from Gaoth Dobhair, was honoured for his contribution to the creation of employment and the promotion of arts, culture and the Irish language in Gaeltacht areas. Mícheál Mac Giolla Easbuic, from Cill Chartha, for his contribution to community development and sports through the medium of Irish in Gaeltacht areas, throughout Co. Donegal and nationally. Máire Mhic Niallais, from Machaire Rabhartaigh, for her long-term interest in and exceptional contribution to the Irish language and community development in Gaeltacht areas. NUI Galway established an education centre in Gaoth Dobhair three years ago at the invitation of Coiste na Crannóige and Comharchumann Forbartha Gaoth Dobhair. Údarás na Gaeltachta invited the University to locate in a premises in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park. NUI Galway carried out extensive refurbishments on the 2,500 square meters of a building leased to it by Údarás na Gaeltachta. The refurbished centre has received generous support from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, making it a most modern education and technology facility. It is estimated that activities at this new campus will generate €2 million annually in the local community. A range of third level full-time and part-time programmes through the medium of Irish, are provided at the Gaoth Dobhair campus, including Diplomas in Television Skills, Applied Computing, a Child Care and Language Acquisition programme and programmes in Irish. Further programmes are being planned in Computing and Business Administration, Translation Studies and Business Technology. In the past year, 150 students completed programmes at the centre. NUI Galway also intends providing degree programmes in Gaoth Dobhair in the near future. Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI Galway and Reachtaire of an tAcadamh said: "This is a special day for Donegal when the Gaoth Dobhair University campus celebrates its official opening and we are particularly delighted to honour the commitment to their Gaeltacht communities of three extraordinary people. The conferring of academic qualifications today also recognises the importance of delivering third-level programmes to communities in their own locality. "The University's commitment to the Irish language is exemplified in our strategy of bringing the classroom and the research lab to the Gaeltacht and by supporting those communities to achieve language-centred, knowledge-based, economic self-reliance. "This campus in Gaoth Dobhair is designed to empower the local community to engage in, and benefit from skills and learning, that are key to the development of a knowledge-based economy. University programmes delivered here will focus on the creation of sustainable employment, providing graduates with the opportunity of remaining in their native place and further strengthen the linguistic and technological infrastructure of the area." Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs said: "The Government is totally committed to the enhancement of the status of the Irish language throughout the country as the first official language of the State. My Department and the Government have taken many initiatives in this regard. Amongst these is the enactment of the Official Languages Act, the establishment of the office of An Coimisinéir Teanga and achieving the recognition of Irish as an official and working language of the EU. All of these policies present us with tremendous challenges and opportunities. One of the challenges is to provide graduates who have a competence to work through Irish in a wide range of disciplines. "The development of 3rd level education through Irish is an important element of the work of my Department, the Department of Education and Science and Údarás na Gaeltachta. It is well recognised that centres of 3rd level education become magnets for growth in employment and the development of communities. For this reason, my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta have supported the development of Gaeltacht 3rd level centres in An Cheathrú Rua, Carna and now in Gaoth Dobhair, under the aegis of NUI Galway. "I would like to congratulate NUI Galway for the very proactive role they have played and for their commitment and pioneering work in 3rd level education through Irish, particularly in the Gaeltacht, based on a policy of bringing education to the people rather than people to education. My Department looks forward to working in the future with the Department of Education and Science and with NUI Galway and other 3rd level institutions to assist in further developing this sector, which can contribute much both to the achievement of our national aims and to the future development of the Gaeltacht." Ends

Beidh na cláir acadúla teanga-lárnach agus eolasbhunaithe D'oscail Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., an tAire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, campas €5m de chuid OÉ, Gaillimh i nGaoth Dobhair, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, go hoifigiúil inniu (16 Meán Fómhair), i láthair Uachtarán OÉ, Gaillimh, an Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh. Ina theannta sin, bronnadh Dioplóma ar 75 mac léinn a chríochnaigh cláir léinn ar champas Ghaoth Dobhair agus den chéad uair in Éirinn, bhronn OÉ, Gaillimh Céimeanna Oinigh taobh amuigh de champas na Gaillimhe. Fuair Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde, Mícheál Mac Giolla Easbuic agus Máire Mhic Niallais, céim oinigh MA. Triúr iad seo as Dún na nGall a bhfuil obair eisceachtúil déanta acu dá bpobail. Fuair Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde, as Gaoth Dobhair, céim oinigh as a bhfuil déanta aige le fostaíocht a chruthú agus ealaín, cultúr agus an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa Ghaeltacht. Fuair Mícheál Mac Giolla Easbuic, as Cill Chartha, céim oinigh as a bhfuil déanta aige ar son na forbartha pobail agus an spóirt trí mheán na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, ar fud Dhún na nGall agus ar fud na tíre. Fuair Máire Mhic Niallais, as Machaire Rabhartaigh, céim oinigh as an tsuim a léirigh sí sa Ghaeilge le fada agus as an obair éachtach atá déanta aici ar son na Gaeilge agus ar son phobal na Gaeltachta. Bhunaigh OÉ, Gaillimh ionad oideachais i nGaoth Dobhair trí bliana ó shin ar iarratas ó Choiste na Crannóige agus Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair. Thug Údarás na Gaeltachta spás don Ollscoil i bPáirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair. Rinne OÉ, Gaillimh athchóiriú ar an bhfoirgneamh 2,500 méadar cearnach atá ar léas acu ó Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá an-tacaíocht faighte ag an ionad ón Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, rud a fhágann gur ionad oideachais agus teicneolaíochta nua-aimseartha é. Meastar go gcruthóidh na gníomhaíochtaí ar an gcampas nua seo €2 mhilliún gach bliain don phobal áitiúil. Cuirtear réimse clár lánaimseartha agus páirtaimseartha tríú leibhéal ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge ar champas Ghaoth Dobhair, ar a n-áirítear Dioplóma i Scileanna Teilifíse, Ríomhaireacht Fheidhmeach, Clár Cúram Leanaí agus Sealbhú Teanga agus cláir sa Ghaeilge. Tá cláir eile á bpleanáil i Ríomhaireacht agus Riarachán Gnó, Staidéar an Aistriúcháin agus Teicneolaíocht an Ghnó. Le bliain anuas, chríochnaigh 150 mac léinn cláir oideachais san ionad. Tá rún ag OÉ, Gaillimh cláir chéime a sholáthar i nGaoth Dobhair go gairid. Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag an Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, Uachtarán OÉ, Gaillimh agus Reachtaire an Acadaimh: Lá speisialta é seo do Dhún na nGall agus oscailt oifigiúil champas Ollscoile Ghaoth Dobhair á cheiliúradh againn. Tá an-áthas orainn céimeanna oinigh a bheith á mbronnadh ar an triúr iontach seo as an obair eisceachtúil atá déanta acu ar son na Gaeltachta. Tugann bronnadh na gcáilíochtaí acadúla seo inniu aitheantas don tábhacht a bhaineann le cláir tríú leibhéal a chur ar fáil i gceantar na ndaoine féin. Tá dílseacht na hOllscoile don Ghaeilge le feiceáil inár straitéis trí a bheith ag tabhairt an seomra ranga agus an tsaotharlainn taighde chuig an nGaeltacht agus tacú leis na pobail neamhspleáchas eacnamaíoch trí chruthú fostaíochta atá eolasbhunaithe agus teanga-lárnach. Cuirfidh campas Ghaoth Dobhair ar chumas na bpobal áitiúil scileanna a fhoghlaim ar mhaithe le geilleagar eolasbhunaithe a fhorbairt. Díreoidh cláir ollscoile an Ionaid seo ar fhostaíocht inmharthana a chruthú, rud a thabharfaidh deis do chéimithe fanacht ina n-áit dúchais agus cur le hinfrastruchtúr teangeolaíoch agus teicneolaíoch an cheantair. Dúirt an tAire Gnóthaí Tuaithe, Pobail, agus Gaeltachta, Éamonn Ó Cuív, T.D., an méid seo a leanas: "Tá an rialtas seo tiomanta go huile agus go hiomlán do stádas na Gaeilge mar chéad teanga oifigiúil, a chur chun cinn ar fud na tíre. Is iomaí sin beart curtha i gcrích ag an Roinn agus ag an Rialtas lena mbainim, i dtaca leis an tiomantas sin. Orthu siúd tá, achtú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, bunú oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, agus stádas oifigiúil a bhaint amach don Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil agus mar theanga oibre san AE. Níl a fhios na dúshláin agus na deiseanna a eascraíonn as na beartais seo. Ar cheann de na dúshláin sin tá, céimithe a chur ar fáil i raon leathan disciplíní – céimithe a bheidh inniúil ar a gcuid oibre a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge. "Is gné thábhachtach de chuid obair na Roinne Gnóthaí Tuaithe, Pobail agus Gaeltachta, na Roinne Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, agus Údarás na Gaeltachta forbairt na hollscolaíochta Gaeilge ar an tríú leibhéal. Tá a fhios ag an saol Fódlach gur as institiúidí tríú leibhéal a eascraíonn fás na fostaíochta agus forbairt an phobail. Is ar an ábhar sin a thacaigh an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, agus Údarás na Gaeltachta, le forbairt na n-ionad tríú leibhéal Gaeltachta ar an gCeathrú Rua agus i gCarna. Is ar an ábhar céanna atáthar ag tacú anois le hionad seo Ghaoth Dobhair, faoi choimirce Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. "Is maith liom comhghairdeachas a dhéanamh le hOllscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, as an ról forghníomhach a d'imir sí, as an tiomantas atá léirithe aici, agus as an obair cheannródaíoch atá déanta aici i réimse na hollscolaíochta Gaeilge, go háirithe sa Ghaeltacht. Obair í seo atá bunaithe ar an tuiscint sin gur chóir an t-oideachas a thabhairt i láthair na ndaoine seachas na daoine a thabhairt i láthair an oideachais. Is fada leis an Roinn go dté sí ag saothrú arís leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, agus le hOllscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, agus le hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéal eile, le cúnamh a thabhairt le tuilleadh forbartha a dhéanamh ar an earnáil seo, earnáil a bhfuil sé d'acmhainn aici cur go mór le baint amach aidhmeanna náisiúnta na tíre agus le forbairt fhadtréimhseach na Gaeltachta." Críoch

Reframing Islam: Politics into Law, 10-11th September, Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway Some of the most influential writers and thinkers on Islam will travel to Galway this week to address and recapture the debate on the social, political and religious dimensions of Islam. They will be attending a conference on "Reframing Islam: Politics into Law," which will be hosted by the Irish Centre for Human Rights in the Arts Millennium Building at NUI Galway on Saturday and Sunday, the 10-11th September. Sunday is the fourth anniversary of 9/11. Speakers will include a leading Iranian activist, imprisoned in Tehran for criticising the regime and an acclaimed Islamic scholar recently refused entry to the US by Homeland Security. The conference aims to challenge and move beyond the stereotypes that currently grip the discourse on Islam—terrorism, enforced democracy building, Islamophobia, and militant regimes. Topics to be addressed include: challenges to the Muslim world post September 11th, the question of democracy in Islam, rights of non-Muslims in Islam, human rights and Islam, women within Islam, and specific regional challenges and attempts to create a civic Islam. The conference will explore what Islamic political thought is, and how it originated, developed and changed over the past 1400 years, and particularly since 2001. Dr Kathleen Cavanaugh, of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway and conference director said: It is a great privilege for the Irish Centre for Human Right to welcome the pre-eminent writers and thinkers in the Muslim world to NUI Galway, to debate critical issues facing Islam and current Western liberal perceptions of Islam. There is an urgency to begin to reframe the debates and the narratives that have enveloped the discourse on Islam, especially post September 11th—the twinning of Islam and violence, the arguments that there cannot be faith in democracy, the notion that there is a 'clash of civilizations.' This conference hopes to provide a space that goes beyond the idea of right thinking and wrong thinking and to lend some empirical and theoretical weight to the current debate on Islam. Dr Cavanaugh went on to say that change and reform within Islam, grassroots in origin, is underway and, as one commentator has noted is, "Islam's best kept secret." Change can be charted in countries such as Malaysia, Morocco and Turkey where civil society (informing political establishments) have endeavoured to address questions of democracy, gender equality and reinforcing and nourishing a vibrant civil society. Yet these changes and challenges are off the radar. This conference will attempt to refocus and reframe the debate on Islam, looking beyond the current 'face of Islam' to what is actually happening within Islam—which is both multifaceted and complex and often contradictory, i.e., moderate to extreme, reform to regressive, she said. Amongst those addressing the conference will be: Professor Tariq Ramadan, recently appointed (August 2005) by Tony Blair to a UK government taskforce attempting to root out Islamic extremism in Britain, is the grandson of Hassan al-Banna, founder, in 1928, of the Muslim brotherhood. Dr. Ramadan lectures at academic institutions and civic organizations around the world. He has authored and co-authored over 20 books and over 700 articles. Through his writings and lectures, he has contributed substantially to the debate on the issues of Muslims in the West and Islamic revival in the Muslim world. He is active both at the academic and grassroots levels, lecturing extensively throughout the world on ethics of citizenship, social justice, and dialogue between civilizations. Dr Tariq Ramadan taught Islamic Studies and Philosophy as a professor at Freiburg University in Switzerland for many years. Regarded as one of the most important voices in Islam, Dr Ramadan was not allowed enter the United States in 2004, to take up his post as Professor of Religion Conflict and Peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame. Dr Mohsen Kadivar is a cleric and activist in Iran. Kadivar was arrested for the first in 1978 and 20 years later, the unconstitutional Court of Iran found him guilty of campaigning against the Islamic Republic, because of the statements he had made in an interview where he argued that acts of terrorism are condemned in the eyes of the Shiite faith. He was sentenced to spend 18 months in Evin Prison, Tehran, and was released on July 17, 2000. He is still campaigning for the reform of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Dr. Muqtedar Khan is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, at the University of Delaware. Author of many books, including American Muslims: Bridging Faith and Freedom (Amana, 2002), Jihad for Jerusalem: Identity and Strategy in International Relations (Praeger, 2004), Dr Khan frequently comments on BBC, CNN, FOX and VOA TV, NPR and other radio and TV networks. His political commentaries appear regularly in newspapers in over 20 countries. Dr. Jillian Schwedler is Assistant Professor of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland and has conducted extensive field research in Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen. She has travelled to Lebanon, Turkey, Qatar, Syria, Israel/Palestine, and more than two-dozen countries outside the Middle East. She is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP), publishers of the quarterly journal Middle East Report. In 2002, she was elected Secretary of the Palestinian American Research Centre (PARC). Dr. Schwedler s current research interests include protests and policing, political Islam, social movements, democracy and democratisation, identity, political culture, and transnational public spheres. Additional speakers, their profiles and the conference agenda can be found on: www.reframingislam.org Ends

Professor William A. Schabas, NUI Galway, has been named an Officer of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honour. William Schabas holds the chair in human rights law in the Faculty of Law. He is also the director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway. The appointment was made by the Governor-General of Canada. Members of the Order of Canada are selected by a panel chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada. Appointment as an Officer in the Order of Canada recognises 'a lifetime of achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large'. The Governor-General of Canada is authorised to appoint a maximum of sixty-four persons each year as Officers in the Order of Canada. Professor Schabas, who is a Canadian citizen, will be inducted into the Order of Canada by the new Governor-General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, at a ceremony to be held in Ottawa later in the year. Congratulating Professor Schabas on the prestigious honour bestowed on him, Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI Galway said: We are delighted and proud that Professor Schabas has been awarded Canada's highest civilian honour. A legal scholar of international renown, Professor Schabas is an outstanding author, teacher and human rights advocate. As Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, Professor Schabas leads academic staff and students in the study and promotion of human rights and humanitarian law. William Schabas is distinguished for his expertise in the fields of international human rights law, international criminal law and international humanitarian law. His many books and articles, published in both English and French, have been translated into many languages, and are regularly cited by the world's leading courts and tribunals. Professor Schabas has often served in international human rights monitoring functions for such international non-governmental organisations as Amnesty International and the International Federation of Human Rights. He has participated in missions to such countries as Rwanda, Sudan, Burundi, Cambodia and the Russian Federation. William Schabas was one of three international members of the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which presented its final report in 2004. Ends