Following the January elections, many in the Iraqi and international communities had high hopes for the constitution-making process. 

It presented an opportunity to bring Sunni Arabs back to the political table; an opportunity for Iraqi communities to express their ambitions and desires; and an opportunity to consolidate, permanently, the democratic revolution that Iraq is undergoing in the midst of violence.  It also presented an opportunity for the UN to re-engage in Iraq.  After intense negotiations that forced a week's delay, the permanent constitution is due to be completed on August 22, 2005.

• What does the constitution-making process tell us about the chances for stability and democracy in Iraq? 
• What are the next steps in the process?
• Will any constitution be a real social compact, or an elite bargain?
• What are the prospects for a constitution to be implemented?
• Can Kurdish and Shia regionalism be reconciled with Iraqi nationalism and national interests?  Can Iraqi women, secularist and members of Iraq's many ethnic and religious minorities find a place in the new Iraq?
• How have Iraqi politics been changed through the process?  What new leaders have emerged? 
• How well has the international community supported the process?
• What does the process tell us about emerging Iraqi identities?
• How important is a constitution anyway?

Speakers

• Rend Francke, The Iraq Foundation
• Neil Kritz, U.S. Institute of Peace
• Jonathan Morrow, Participating by phone from Baghdad, U.S. Institute of Peace
• Paul Williams, American University
• Daniel Serwer, Vice President and Director, Peace and Stability Operations
  U.S. Institute of Peace, Moderator

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