On Thursday, June 15, the Detroit Council for World Affairs of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies will welcome Scott Carpenter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Near East Affairs. Carpenter will speak on “Transformational Diplomacy in Action: the Middle East Partnership Initiative” at 1:30 p.m., in the Spencer M. Partrich Law School Auditorium at Wayne State University.

Since 9/11, democracy promotion in the Middle East has become a high and quite controversial priority in American foreign policy. Scott Carpenter brings unique expertise and first-hand experience of these efforts. His presentation will provide a better understanding of the complexities of democratization in Iraq as well as the political and economic infrastructure of the region.

“Given the huge challenges to peace in the region, and the currently prevailing notions of ‘democratic peace theory’ in academic and policy circles, Americans and Detroiters will be very interested in what he has to say and in projects currently underway designed to foster democratic reform,” said Professor Fred Pearson of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. “Simply to maintain the status quo would sharply increase the likelihood of chaos and violence in the region in the coming years, with dramatic effects on global energy security as well as on a whole range of other American interests.”

Detroit’s connections to the Middle East are extensive and varied, and many groups have an interest in the democratization process. This informative discussion will give an up-close insight into current thinking in Washington and abroad.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State J. Scott Carpenter, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, joined the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State on August 23, 2004, and is responsible for overseeing the Middle East Partnership Initiative.

Prior to this assignment, Mr. Carpenter was appointed by Administrator L. Paul Bremer to be director of the Governance Group for the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), where he began his tour of duty in Baghdad on May 9, 2003. Mr. Carpenter helped guide the political transition and initiate an array of democracy initiatives during the CPA’s existence. From May 2003 to July 2004, he served as a key advisor to the administrator, facilitating the formation of the Iraqi Governing Council, the formation of the first post-Saddam Hussein cabinet, the drafting and signing of the Transitional Administrative Law — Iraq’s interim constitution — and the establishment of Iraq’s interim government. He presided over the design and implementation of the largest democratization effort in one country since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

He also worked on the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) desk at the International Trade Agency (ITA), where his focus was on implementation issues related to financial services. He has also worked with the International Republican Institute (IRI), a non-profit organization based in Washington that promotes democratic development worldwide.

This presentation is free an open to the public. Reservations are required and may be confirmed by calling (313) 577-8270.

The Detroit Council for World Affairs promotes understanding of international issues and Detroit’s role in a changing world by providing a non-partisan, nation-wide forum for discussion, analysis and debate. DCWA seeks to enrich education, spur long-term economic development and provide new ideas and cultural perspectives for Detroiters.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.