HONOLULU – Gov. Linda Lingle, at the invitation of Israeli President Shimon Peres, will participate in a historic conference that will examine how the global future is envisioned in different parts of the world, as nations strive to work together while still maintaining their independence and uniqueness.

The first annual by-invitation-only "Facing Tomorrow" conference of world leaders May 13-15, will look closely at the trends and developments — global, local and national — that are mapping the future of the world, and serve as an incubator for proactive responses to global challenges, according to a news release from Lingle's office.

The conference will examine what the future holds for the Middle East, with emphasis on the State of Israel. It will also focus on Jewish and Israeli contributions to humanity. Facing Tomorrow will be a focused exploration by major world leaders, past and present, as well as entrepreneurs, scholars, environmentalists, journalists, scientists, economists, religious leaders, artists, humanitarians and Nobel Laureates. The conference will be held at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem.

Over the three-day conference, the Lingle is expected to participate in 11 panel discussions, with wide-ranging topics including Presidents Discussing Tomorrow; Global Perspectives on Tomorrow; Sixty Years of Friendship – the U.S. and Israel; The Revolution of the Internet and New Media; Path-Breaking Leadership; The Future of the World Economy; Why is the New Middle East Not Here – Yet?; Foreign Policy – Strategic Dilemmas and Moral Considerations; The Jewish People In Need of An Experienced Publicist; and Robots, Gadgets and other Animals – Tomorrow's Technology in Daily Life.

Lingle is the only U.S. governor attending the conference. The visit to Israel will celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary and the close ties between the U.S. and Israel over the past six decades.

World leaders scheduled to participate include President George W. Bush; the presidents of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Latvia, Togo, Poland and Slovenia; and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Also scheduled to participate are former world leaders including former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev; former British Prime Minister and now United Kingdom Envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair; former Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel; former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid; and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Other worldwide participants include noted author and Nobel winner Elie Wiesel; New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman; Google founder Sergey Brin; Chairman and CEO of News Corporation Rupert Murdoch; and President of the International Peace Institute Terje Larsen.

The Israeli government will host Lingle and her senior advisor of communications Lenny Klompus. Ted Liu, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, will also attend the conference, with a key focus on the panel discussions relating to innovation, technology and the global economy. Liu will participate at his own personal expense, according to the news release.