CALL FOR PANELISTS: Marginalized Identities and Change in SWANA Region 

The South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) caucus invites scholars and activists for a special discussion panel on how marginalized identities, such as expats, women, religious minorities, racial minorities, and LGBTQ+ communities, balance the social struggles for recognition within their communities and the broader national/regional/global context. We invite scholars and activists whose focus is one of the countries within the SWANA region, such as Iran, Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, etc, to submit abstracts addressing one or more of the following questions for their specific country:

• Given the socio-political constraints, how do marginalized groups communicate and mobilize within the region?
• How do activists within marginalized communities strike a balance between advocating for change within their groups and fighting for broader rights and recognition within the mainstream in the region?
• In what ways can media professionals contribute to more accurate and nuanced representations of diversity within the region?
• What are the effects of alternative media on shaping youth attitudes and beliefs in relation to diversity and inclusion in the region?
• How do the region's alternative and independent media outlets contribute to pluralism and diversity in news coverage?
• How can communication strategies be developed to more effectively address sexual health and rights within culturally sensitive contexts in the region?

If you are interested in participating in the panel, please email your abstracts of minimum 250 words to Dr. Mehri Yavari, myavari@wooster.edu, by Thursday, March 29, 5:00 p.m.