MACHIAS — Retired Ambassador Christopher Van Hollen, vice president of the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C., will present the opening address at a conference on the Middle East and the Islamic World at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Performing Arts Center at the University of Maine at Machias.

The public is invited and admission is fee. Other activities and speakers are planned Friday, March 30.

The conference is sponsored by the Middle East Institute and UMM’s Pluralism Task Force, Professional Development Center, and the International Club. It was organized by these groups in light of the continuing instability of the Middle East, the renewal within the Islamic world, and greater interdependence of the global economy and new trade opportunities.

Van Hollen’s address Thursday evening will focus on the Bush administration and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As vice president of the Middle East Institute, Van Hollen represents the oldest organization in the United States designed to foster better American understanding of the region from Morocco through Pakistan. He is a specialist in U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. policy toward the Persian Gulf region.

Registration for the daylong conference Friday begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center. There is a $5 registration fee which includes lunch.

Materials for classroom use will be available for educators. The workshop is designed to provide timely and appropriate information with classroom-ready resources recognizing that Maine educators, students, business people and the general public be better informed about the region, sources of conflict, and potential for peace.

“Islam, politics, history, culture, art, language, and social customs are all factors needing better understanding by our youth and adults,” said Jim Sowerwine, assistant professor of history and international relations at UMM.