Former congressman to discuss US-Iran foreign relations

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will host former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery, D-Kan., to give a talk on his recent trip to Iran, hope for successful nuclear talks and a crucial people-to-people aspect of U.S.-Iran relations. Called the Abrahamic dialogue, it encourages interfaith dialogue and reconciliation between the two countries.

“Improved Prospects for U.S-Iran Relations” will take place at 3 p.m. Monday, March 30, at the Dole Institute. This event is free and open to the public.

“As current tension over a U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement continues,” said Dole Institute Director Bill Lacy, “we are fortunate that Mr. Slattery’s recent visit to Iran and his work with other organizations can inform us on new perspectives for peacekeeping in this region of the world.”

Slattery, a six-term U.S. congressman, has been meeting with Iranians for more than a decade outside Iran as a participant in an Abrahamic dialogue that brings Iranian Shiite Muslims together with American Christians and Jews. He became the first former or current American legislator to visit inside the Islamic Republic of Iran when he attended a conference late last year in Tehran on countering violent extremism through Abrahamic dialogue. The conference was coordinated by the Peace Research Institute of Oslo, Norway, and the Catholic University of America.

Slattery travels regularly to the Middle East to encourage interfaith dialogue and reconciliation. He has also served as an international election monitor in countries like Iraq, Ukraine and Nicaragua.

During his 12-year tenure in Congress, Slattery was a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. This committee has broad jurisdiction over health care, energy, telecommunications and environmental issues.  He also served on the House Budget, Financial Services and Veterans' Affairs committees. 

Currently at Wiley Rein LLP, Slattery advises clients who have matters pending before Congress, federal agencies and regulatory bodies. He has experience in energy, railroads, health care, insurance, international trade and telecommunications.

The Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting public service, civic engagement and politics.  It is located on KU’s west campus and, includes the Robert J. Dole Archive & Special Collections. The Institute offers free public programming with world-renowned guest speakers on a variety of topics that intersect politics, as well as interactive opportunities for students of all ages.