Political Science Department hosts event focused on South Yemen

The Fresno State Political Science Department will host a lunch and panel discussion about local and international topics tied to South Yemen history and current events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Smittcamp Alumni House (2345 E San Ramon Ave.).

Academic experts and community leaders will also discuss the local South Yemeni community. The event is being organized by the American Center for South Yemen Studies and the South Yemen community of California.

The public is invited to RSVP for the event by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, and event check-in starts at 9 a.m. Feb. 6.

The first panel will focus on the history and culture of the South Yemen community in

the Central Valley and will include discussions on the origins, growth and economic role over the past decades. Raina Madhrem Shaibi (South Yemen Community of California) will speak on the arrival and trajectory of the local Yemeni community, and Dr. Flagg Miller (UC Davis professor) will present his research on the cultural aspects of South Yemen society.

The second panel focuses on current conditions in South Yemen, including economics, politics and security. This panel will explore the primary grievances of the people of South Yemen demanding self-determination, the influence and involvement of neighboring countries and the long and complicated path to peace in Yemen. Speakers include Khaled al-Yamani (former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Yemen), Dr. Michael Rubin, (senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute), Ala Muhsin (research fellow, South24 CNS) and Fernando Carvajal (executive director, American Center for South Yemen Studies).

A keynote address will be given by Khaled al-Yamani, who served in prior roles as foreign minister of Yemen from 2018-19 and permanent representative to the United Nations from 2015-16. He served as the chief negotiator of Yemen’s Permanent Mission to the U.N. from 2009-10 during its chairmanship of the Group of Seventy-Seven developing countries and China. He also negotiated the outcome document of the Millennium Development Goals review conference in 2010.

The event is co-sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor Society at Fresno State. Lunch will be provided by Firestone Burger, a local Yemeni restaurant.

For more information, contact Dr. Lisa Bryant at lbryant@csufresno.edu.

(Note: This event is not aimed at promoting any particular political agenda or political position but is focused on a constructive learning experience about the South Yemen community, the ongoing civil conflict in the region, and the varied interests represented there.)