The highlight of the conference year is the three-day Camden Conference, which takes place the third weekend in February at the Opera House in historic downtown Camden. For the first time this year, the World Affairs Council of Maine and the Camden Conference are offering a live presentation of the Camden Conference at the Hannaford Auditorium in Portland. For more information or to register to attend the Conference in Portland, visit the World Affairs Council of Maine's website or call (207) 780-4551.

The 21st Annual Camden Conference, Religion as a Force in World Affairs, was held February 22-24, 2008.

The Conference explored the role of religion as a potent influence upon the formation and the implementation of foreign policy—especially the shaping of foreign policy in the United States—as a crucial factor in ongoing conflicts and crisis settings; as a central component in the deepening clash between self-identities in various movements and communities; and as potential stimulus for mediation, peace-making, and constructive social action.

The schedule of speakers and their topics is listed below:

Friday, February 22:

• Keynote Speech, Religion, World Politics, and United States Foreign Policy, Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, Kennedy School, Harvard University.
  

Saturday, February 23:

Morning Session: Religion and U.S. Foreign Policy

• A Look Back at Religious Influences on American Foreign Relations, Andrew Preston, Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge University, England.
• The Role of Fundamentalists in Recent U.S. Foreign Policy, Scott Appleby, Professor of History and Director of the Kroc Center, Notre Dame University.
• The Influence of Religion in American Diplomacy and Development Policies, Andrew Natsios, Professor at Georgetown University, former head of A.I.D., President's Special Envoy to Sudan.

Afternoon Session: Religion and the Middle East

• Religious Identities in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Philip C. Wilcox Jr., President, Foundation for Middle East Peace.
• The Clash Between Sunni and Shia Muslims Across the Middle East, Rend al-Rahim Francke, President, Iraq Foundation, currently at U.S. Institute of Peace
• The Struggle Between Modern Governance and Resurgent Islam, Ellen Laipson, President, Henry L. Stimson Center.

Sunday, February 24

Global Issues

• Religious and Ethical Challenges in Seeking Global Social Justice, Katherine Marshall, Professor at Georgetown University, formerly with the World Bank.
• Faith-Based Diplomacy: Bridging the Religious Divide, Douglas M. Johnston, President, International Institute for Religion and Diplomacy
• Closing Panel with All Speakers