ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2021 - Advancing More Responsible Arms Trade Policy
DATE: Tuesday, January 12, 2021
TIME: 2:30 - 5:00 PM EST
LOCATION: Virtual
Over the past four years, the Trump administration's insistence on sending weapons to rights-abusing governments in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia while sidestepping Congressional concerns and oversight has shown a bright spotlight on the global arms trade. In response, members of Congress have sought to assert their authority over U.S. arms exports, passing historic resolutions of disapproval, introducing legislative measures to reform the Arms Export Control Act, and engaging more publicly on the issue than at any time in recent memory.
With a new administration taking office, the 2021 Forum on the Arms Trade annual conference, “Advancing More Responsible Arms Trade Policy,” looks to inform early discussions of how lawmakers and a Biden White House can reshape the U.S. role in the global arms trade. This virtual event on Tuesday, January 12, will feature leading Congressional and civil society voices in virtual conversation with audience participants. RSVP now to join our in-depth discussion of new opportunities to develop a responsible U.S. arms transfer policy.
This event is co-sponsored by the Arms Control Association, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Security Assistance Monitor at the Center for International Policy, and the Stimson Center.
TIME: 2:30 - 5:00 PM EST
LOCATION: Virtual
Over the past four years, the Trump administration's insistence on sending weapons to rights-abusing governments in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia while sidestepping Congressional concerns and oversight has shown a bright spotlight on the global arms trade. In response, members of Congress have sought to assert their authority over U.S. arms exports, passing historic resolutions of disapproval, introducing legislative measures to reform the Arms Export Control Act, and engaging more publicly on the issue than at any time in recent memory.
With a new administration taking office, the 2021 Forum on the Arms Trade annual conference, “Advancing More Responsible Arms Trade Policy,” looks to inform early discussions of how lawmakers and a Biden White House can reshape the U.S. role in the global arms trade. This virtual event on Tuesday, January 12, will feature leading Congressional and civil society voices in virtual conversation with audience participants. RSVP now to join our in-depth discussion of new opportunities to develop a responsible U.S. arms transfer policy.
This event is co-sponsored by the Arms Control Association, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Security Assistance Monitor at the Center for International Policy, and the Stimson Center.
2:30-3:20 Advice for the Next Administration
3:20-4:00 Reporting on the Impact of the Arms Trade: Lessons for Policymakers
4:00-5:00 What Congress Can Do To Make Human Rights A Priority in Arms Trade Decisions
- Brittany Benowitz, Chief Counsel, American Bar Association (ABA) Center for Human Rights
- Sarah Holewinksi, Washington Director, Human Rights Watch
- Rose Jackson, Director, Policy Initiative, Digital Forensic Research Lab, Atlantic Council
- Moderated by Rachel Stohl, Vice President, Stimson Center
3:20-4:00 Reporting on the Impact of the Arms Trade: Lessons for Policymakers
- Radhya al-Mutawakel, Chairperson and Co-founder, Mwatana for Human Rights
- Íñigo Arredondo Vera, Head of the investigation team, El Universal
- Moderated by Sarah Leah Whitson, Executive Director, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)
4:00-5:00 What Congress Can Do To Make Human Rights A Priority in Arms Trade Decisions
- Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)
- Representative Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)
- Moderated by Dan Mahanty, Director, US Program, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)