Fifteen years ago the USSR broke up into fifteen new states. A few like the new Baltic States have made swift progress toward Europe and joined both the EU and NATO. Meanwhile, the other former Soviet Republics remain unsure of their relationships to each other and the larger global community. In recent years, traditional mechanisms of integration have withered while new ones have emerged. Some organizations, like the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are perceived as increasingly dysfunctional. At the same time, new organizations, like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), have gained political and economic weight. Numerous international organizations, financial institutions, and businesses are also actively engaged in the post-Soviet space. Their security and economic interests often overlap and compete as the number of stakeholders grows and the political and economic environment becomes more complex.

Professionals in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Affairs (PREEA), a Georgetown University-based organization, invites you to take part in the PREEA Fall Conference, which will address the role of multilateral institutions in the changing Eurasian environment. Renowned experts will discuss the interests of multilateral organizations and their role in Eurasian affairs. Two panels will focus on the role of multilateral organizations in the resolution of frozen conflicts in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova, and in mitigating business risks and opening new avenues for partnership and cooperation in Eurasia.  Future prosperity of the region depends on how peacefully these conflicts are resolved.

We look forward to your participation in the PREEA Fall Conference, at the Georgetown University Copley Formal Lounge on Monday, November 13, 2006 1-5 pm. Reception will follow. To register, please send your name and affiliation to rsvp@preea.org by November 10, 2006. Please note that space may be limited.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

1:00-1:20 pm

Robert Gallucci, Dean of the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

PANEL I: Security: Role of Multilateral Organizations in Frozen Conflicts

1:30-3:00 pm

Moderator: Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

Speakers:

• Ronald McNamara, International Policy Director for the Commission, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.S. Helsinki Commission
• Cory Welt, Deputy Director and Fellow,
  Russia and Eurasia Program, (CSIS) Center for Strategic & International
  Studies
• Celeste Wallander, Professor of International Relations, Georgetown University
• Stephen Blank, Professor at the Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College

COFFEE BREAK

3:00-3:30 pm

PANEL II: Economic Interests in Competitive Multilateral Environment

3:30-5:30 pm

Moderator: Clifford Gaddy, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

Speakers:

• Lisa Kaestner, Senior Economist, Strategy and Coordination Unit, Central and Eastern Europe Department, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• Johannes Linn, Wolfensohn Center Executive Director, The Brookings Institution
• Jackie Coolidge, Lead Investment Policy Officer, Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS), The World Bank Group
• Randi Levinas, Director of Policy and Programs, US-Russia Business Council

FINAL REMARKS

5:30-5:40 pm

RECEPTION

5:40 to 8:00 pm