• A Charles Sturt University webinar will examine the dynamic relationship between policy and discourse models in the two decades since ‘9/11’

Charles Sturt University will present an analytic webinar discussion about two competing models of public discourse and policies since 9/11 and the efforts to induce new Islam-West relationships.

The webinar ‘Conflict and Cohesion - Islam-West Relations in the Last Two Decades’ is on Tuesday 23 November from 12pm to 1pm.

Senior Lecturer Dr Derya Iner in the Charles Sturt Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation said the webinar will feature leading international scholar Professor John Esposito and will be facilitated by veteran ABC radio presenter Mr John Cleary.

Professor Esposito is Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University and Director of The Bridge Initiative, also at Georgetown.

“The world has changed dramatically in the two decades since 9/11, during which two models  conflict or cohesion ─ competed in public discourse and policies,” Dr Iner said.

“The symbiotic relationship between the two and the efforts to induce new Islam-West relationships will be discussed in the webinar and will reflect on whether one or the other has prevailed.

“Professor Esposito will also consider whether non-Orientalist Islamic studies in the West are an endeavour to break the vicious cycle and open a new page on the Islam-West relationship.”

Participants must register for the online event by Sunday 21 November.

The event will also include the launch by Professor Esposito of the new Charles Sturt Graduate Certificate of Islam, Culture and Society.

Dr Iner said this course is designed for non-Muslim students to develop cultural awareness about Islam and Muslims, especially in the Australian context.

“This is currently the only course offered in Australian universities to provide professional information about how to interact with Muslim clients, customers and co-workers,” Dr Iner said.

An information session about the Graduate Certificate of Islam, Culture and Society will be held in December.