Israel at 100: Scenarios for the Future of Israel in 2048November 10-11, 2024
American University, Washington, DC
- November 10, Abramson Family Founders Room, School of International Service:
Opening evening keynote by David Passig - November 11, Constitution Hall:
All day sessions and lunchtime keynote by Eugene Kandel
Please see below for Speakers & Schedule details.
Conference Overview
As Israel approaches its 100th anniversary in 2048, we invite you to explore the future as modern futurists, utilizing contemporary foresight approaches.
The State of Israel grew out of a utopian vision. Theodor Herzl published his concept of a future Jewish state in 1896, and six years later he wrote his utopian novel Old New Land that described how the Jewish state would look twenty years later. Twenty-four years from now, in 2048, the state which Herzl conceived will celebrate its 100th anniversary. On November 10-11, 2024 we will convene scholars, economists, politicians, and activists at the country’s most difficult hour, to explore potential future scenarios for the Jewish state.
As we delve into various scenarios concerning Israel's future, we will address such topics as its religiosity, sustainability within its desert geography, Palestinian and other Arab relations, ongoing conflicts, the remarkable "startup nation" economy, and the intricate connections between Israel and diaspora Jewry.
Conference Co-Chairs
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Sponsors
Center for Israel Studies
Cosponsored by AU's Kogod School of Business and College of Arts & Sciences.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of Amy and Alan Meltzer and June and David Trone that made this conference possible. Additional support provided by the Ken and Mimi Heyman Israel Studies Programming Fund.
Confirmed Speakers
Schedule
November 10, 2024
- 7:00-8:30 p.m.
- Welcome
Erran Carmel (American University)
Michael Brenner (American University Meltzer Schwartzberg Center for Israel Studies) - Keynote: “Israel at 100: An Unconventional Demographic Scenario”
David Passig (Bar-Ilan University, Israel, author of The Fifth Fiasco)
Moderator: Erran Carmel (American University)
November 11, 2024
- 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
- Registration
- 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
- Panel 1: “Geopolitical Futures: Navigating a Changing World”
Eyal Hulata (Foundation for Defense of Democracies)
David Schenker (Washington Institute for Near East Policy)
Shira Efron (Israel Policy Forum)
Moderator: Amy Zalman (founder, Prescient-Activate the Future) - 10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
- Mini Break
- 10:30 a.m. - Noon
- Panel 2: “Shifting Sands: Israel’s Regional Landscape in 2048”
Yoel Guzansky (Institute for National Security Studies)
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (Atlantic Council)
Nimrod Goren (Middle East Institute)
Amy Zalman (Prescient)
Moderator: Dan Arbell (American University) - Noon - 1:00 p.m.
- Lunch
- 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Introduction
David Marchick (Dean, Kogod School of Business) - Keynote: “Avoiding the Collapse: How Israel shifted to a Federalist Model by 2048 and Saved Itself”
Eugene Kandel (Hebrew University), former Head of the National Economic Council and Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Israel (2009-2015), co-founder of Israel’s Strategic Futures Institute (ISFI) - 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
- Panel 3: “Vision & Fictions”
Neta Lipman (Tel Aviv University)
Yishai Sarid (author, The Third Temple)
Tsvi Bisk (Center for Strategic Futurist Thinking, Israel)
Moderator: Michael Brenner (American University Meltzer Schwartzberg Center for Israel Studies) - 3:15 - 3:45 p.m.
- Coffee Break
- 3:45 - 5:00 p.m.
- Panel 4: Will The Tribes Rule?: A Jewish and a Palestinian Future
Anwar Mhajne (Stonehill College)
David Passig (Bar-Ilan University)
Closing and Audience Scenarios Poll: Erran Carmel (American University)