"The Horizon for Peaceful Transition toward Democracy in Egypt: The Forthcoming Presidential Election - Challenges and Opportunities"

By: Dr. Ahmed Gaith
The Alliance of Egyptian Americans "AEA" is a US based non-profit, non- governmental organization dedicated to empowering Egyptian Americans to promote: true democracy, sustainable development, and social justice in Egypt. AEA is holding its annual conference: Friday-Sunday, Sept 17-19, 2010 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in the Nation’s Capitol.

All speeches and deliberations will focus on ways to open up the clogged political process and secure “free and fair” Presidential elections in Egypt. Participants will examine and identify ways to help empower Egyptians to: change Article 76 of the Egyptian Constitution; restore Egyptian voter confidence in the forth coming Egyptian Presidential election; examine the possibility of forming an independent election commission whereby all political parties are represented on equal footing in that Commission; and to insure “free and fair” election procedures. The activities' will be conducted mostly in interactive formats (town hall; round table; workshop).
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Several noted Egyptian public figures have confirmed their participation in the AEA Conference, including: Dr. Sayed El Badawi, the Head of the Wafd Party with a delegation of Wafd members; Dr. Ayman Nour, former Presidential candidate; Dr. Usama El-Ghazali Harb, the Head of the Democratic Front Party; Mohammad Anwar Sadat, the Head of the Reform and Development Party (under construction); George Ishaaq, Kefya Movement; Samir Eleish, the Head of “MY Vote is My Demand Organization; Mohammad Nousair, Egyptian-American Friendship Association; Margaret Azir, Vice President of the Democratic Front Party; Sarah Mohammad Kamal and Mostafa El-Naggar, Youth of the Egyptian Change Movement; Ibrahim Issa, Chief Editor of AlDastour; Khaled Yousif, reknown movie director; and others.

Mr. Gamal Mubarak and Dr. Moufied Shaab from the National Democratic Party have been invited to participate. Confirmation has not been received to date. Arrangements are pending for Dr. Mohamed El Baradie to speak to the Conference participants via video as his schedule does not permit personal attendance.

For program updates and further information, please visit our website at www.aeamisr.org or contact:
Mr. Mahmoud ElShazely, President, AEA, maelshazly51@hotmail.com
Dr. Ahmed Gaith, AEA Conference Planning Committee Secretary General, am_gaith@cox.net (703) 472-1294
Dr. Serif Nasr, VPresident, New Jersey Chapter, sheriff.nasr@siparadigm.com
Dr. Ibrahim Hussein, Vice President, Mid Atlantic Chapter, imihussein@gmail.com (301) 613-7337
Mr. Amin Mahmoud, AEA Executive, aeamisr@hotmail.com (202)276-4940
Ms. Hanan El Badry, elbadry@att.net

For media-related information, please contact:
English Media: Mokhtar Kamel mokhtarkamel@hotmail.com (703)-501-1398
Arabic Media: Sabry Elbaga, s.albaga@yahoo.com (323) 345-1586