
Series: Prospects and Challenges for Transition to Democracy in Iran
The Hamid and Christina Moghadam Program in Iranian Studies at Stanford University is convening a series of events in response to the on-going fight for freedom by the people of Iran. Most recently, the Woman, Life, Freedom uprisings that began with the death of Mahsa Amini in September, 2022, have highlighted the plight of the Iranian people and their brave struggle for equality, dignity, and representation. This series of events will bring together scholars, experts, and key figures to discuss and assess the prospects for Iran's transition from the Islamic Republic regime to a secular democracy.
Part I: "Dialogues on Iran's Transition to a Secular Democracy" Conference
The Iranian Studies Program is partnering with Gozar.org and KAI in a two-day conference that will partially cover several of the topics related to the broader series of events.
Held on March 25-26, 2023, this conference convenes Iranian academics, experts, activists, cultural figures and entrepreneurs with diverse political and societal beliefs to explore such a vision and identify challenges and pathways to support and inform the Iranian society in the process of transition to democracy.
The conference is a culmination of months-long inclusive stakeholder engagement in workshops and surveys, including 100+ academics, entrepreneurs, civil society activists (women's movement, labor movement, and religious, ethnic, and gender minorities). More details about the conference here.
The following panels were organized by the Iranian Studies Program:
Challenges of Transition in Comparative Perspective
Speakers: Larry Diamond, Michael McFaul, Abbas Milani
Language: English
Key Challenges and Pathways for Transition
Speakers: Details forthcoming
Moderator: Abbas Milani
Language: Persian
Pacted Transitions and Applications to Iran
Speakers: Hicham Alaoui, Abbas Milani
Language: English
Human Rights Data Collection for Judicial Processes
Speakers: Allein Weiner, Bailey Ulbricht, Abbas Milani
Language: English
Due to space limitations, this event is at capacity. Conference is primarily in Persian, more details and panel recordings from the conference will be made available as soon as possible.
Part II: Challenges and Prospects for Dynamic Entrepreneurship in Iran’s Transition to Democracy
Speakers: Faraj Aalaei, Siavash Alamouti, Fay Arjomandi, Afsaneh Beschloss, Hamid Moghadam, and Shane Tejarati.
Moderator: Abbas Milani
Language: English
This event will take place on April 21, 2023 and will be live-streamed via Zoom. Details forthcoming.
Part III: Women and Democratic Transition
Details forthcoming
Part IV: A Democratic Constitution: Ethnic and Religious Minorities
Details forthcoming
Additional conferences and events will be added throughout the year.
This series is additionally supported by the following:

