On May 8, 2011, the Liaison Office of Freie Universität Berlin and the American University in Cairo jointly organized a scientific symposium on the topic "From Revolution to Transformation: Egypt 2011 / Germany 1989". Seven renowned scientists presented their research and their personal experience of the current transformation process in Egypt and the peaceful revolution in East Germany in 1989. Despite all the differences, between both events do have in common that they mark historic turning points for a whole region. The aim of this panel discussion was to concentrate on the challenges that Germany faced then and Egypt is facing now after the revolution. Among those challenges are the evolution of social movements into political organizations, the question of how to deal with the legacy of the old regime through mechanisms of truth and reconciliation, and the establishment of a new regime through constitutional changes and elections. The symposium with its over 100 participants engageed students, scholars, activists and decision-makers in a discussion of their own experiences and ideas.

Read also "Understanding the Egyptian Revolution".

Find the program of this event here (.pdf).