FIU Middle East Society presents lecture on “Divesting from Iran: The Efforts of the State of Florida”

WHAT: In his first days in office, President Barack Obama has made US-Iranian relations a priority. How the new administration moves forward on this pivotal issue will be the subject of much discussion over the next four years. The Middle East Society (MES) of the School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University will present a lecture titled “Divesting from Iran: The Efforts of the State of Florida” by Florida State Senator Ted Deutch. The event is co-sponsored by FIU’s Judaic Studies Program and the Florida Security Council.

WHO: Deutch is a Democratic member of the Florida State Senate representing Boca Raton. First elected to the Senate in 2006, Deutch authored legislation mandating that Florida divest its pension funds from companies investing in Iran and Sudan, and has helped other state and local governments exercise their economic leverage to pressure rogue nations. For more information about Ted Deutch go to: www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s30

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.        

WHERE: FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus, Wolfe University Center (WUC) 155. The event is free and open to the public.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Shlomi Dinar, director of the Middle East Society, at 305-919-4839.

Media Contact: Sara Friden at 305-348-2232

-FIU- 

About MES:
MES is a component of the School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University. Headquartered in the Biscayne Bay Campus, MES is in the midst of its third year of operation. By bringing different speakers to campus, MES’ ultimate goal is to help secure FIU’s place as a center of debate and learning on matters concerning the Middle East. In addition, through its outreach to the local community, MES hopes to become a funding source for student scholarships and auxiliary programming. MES prides itself on presenting a balanced view of a variety of issues related to the region including ancient and modern history, current events, U.S. and international policies toward the Middle East, art, culture, and religion. MES hosts approximately six lectures throughout the academic year. Our speakers have included published scholars, featured pundits, and award-winning reporters.

About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.