THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
Additional expert speakers added to two-day conference about
the future of liberal democracy
LONDON, AUGUST 6th, 2015 - The International New York Times (INYT) announced that His Highness the Aga Khan as well as former head of the British Secret Intelligence Service, Sir Richard Dearlove KCMG, OBE have been added to the roster of leading figures speaking at the third Athens Democracy Forumon September 13-15th.
His Highness the Aga Khan will deliver a keynote address at the Stoa of Attalos. Sir Richard will participate in a panel debate about Islamist extremism and the threat it poses to Western democracies. Both will appear at the conference on Tuesday, September 15th.
Conference host and chair, New York Times Editorial Board Member, Serge Schmemann, also welcomes new speakers who include:
- Kishore Mahbubani, Dean and Professor, National University of Singapore
- Benny Tai, Associate Professor of Law, University of Hong Kong
- Giorgos Kaminis, Mayor, City of Athens
- Anna Diamantopoulou, Former Minister of Education and Former European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
- Ed Husain, Author, Former Islamic Activist, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (New York)
- Alan Rousso, Managing Director, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, President, International, The New York Times Company said:
"Democracy is based on the free and open involvement of individuals and organisations so we've strived to make sure our Forum represents that exact principle. It's exciting to see even more high-calibre experts coming on board to engage in lively, informed debate about the challenges facing liberal democracies today."
Coinciding with the UN International Day of Democracy in September 15th, topics under discussion will include:
- The rise of regimes in states which reject the universality of liberal democracy;
- The growing concentration of wealth and income inequality;
- The rise of Islamist extremism;
- New technologies: the opportunities they present and dangers they pose.
The UN International Day of Democracy will also see the world première of singer-songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright's "Prima Donna" opera. Performed in the ancient Herodes Atticus Theatre in honour of renowned American-born Greek soprano Maria Callas, the show will feature visual effects from photographer Cindy Sherman.
The International New York TimesAthens Democracy Forum will take place at the Megaron, The Athens Concert Hall and the Stoa of Attalos of the Ancient Agora. It has been convened in cooperation with the United Nations Democracy Fund, the City of Athens, and Kathimerini.
Keep up to date with further speaker announcements at athensdemocracyforum.com and by following @NYTconf on Twitter.
-Ends-
Note to Editors:
Media accreditation for the Athens Democracy Forum is currently open. Accreditation requests must be submitted to press@athensdemocracyforum.com by Friday, September 4th. Please note that there will be no on-site accreditation. All accreditation requests are subject to final confirmation by the International New York Times.
The current speaker line-up, with more still to be announced, is:
- High Highness the Aga Khan
- Sir Richard Dearlove KCMG, OBE, Former Head of British Secret Intelligence Service
- Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize winning economist and New York Times Op-Ed columnist
- Paula J. Dobriansky, Former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs (USA)
- Valerie Plame, Writer, Member of the Global Zero Leadership Board and Former CIA Operative
- Kishore Mahbubani, Dean and Professor, National University of Singapore
- Eric X. Li, Venture Capitalist and Political Scientist
- Benny Tai, Associate Professor of Law, University of Hong Kong
- Alan Rousso, Managing Director, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- Giorgos Kaminis, Mayor, City of Athens
- Anna Diamantopoulou, Former Minister of Education and Former European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
- Ed Husain, Author, Former Islamic Activist, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (New York)
- Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, International New York Times President
- Roger Cohen, New York Times Op-Ed columnist
- Steven Erlanger, New York Times - London Bureau Chief
- Alison Smale, New York Times - Berlin Bureau Chief
- Liz Alderman, International New York Times Chief European Business Correspondent
- Patrick Chappatte, International New York Times Cartoonist.
About the Athens Democracy Forum
Two years ago the International New York Times established the 'Athens Democracy Forum' under the auspices of the United Nations Democracy Fund. Through the UN Secretary-General's endorsement it has become the principal global event of the International Day of Democracy which takes place every September at the Stoa of Attalos of the Ancient Agora - the birthplace of democracy - and other venues around Athens.
The New York Times Company
The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) is a global media organization dedicated to enhancing society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news and information. The company includes The New York Times, International New York Times, NYTimes.com, INYT.com and related properties. It is known globally for excellence in its journalism, and innovation in its print and digital storytelling and its business model.@NYTimesComm.
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