Two years after the eruption of the Arab uprisings, protestors continue to fill the streets of major Arab cities. While the initial objective of the Arab uprisings was to pressure their long time rulers to step down, Arab citizens also demanded their rights to dignity, social justice and to participate in the making of their futures. However, the means through which to achieve those demands remains unclear. The difficulties of seeking consensus, expanding participation and negotiating democracy with its messy, non-linear path threatens many fragile gains accrued during the protests. In surveying the region, one quickly notices the absence of coherent, well-thought approaches to political transformation and a dearth of leadership and knowledge to see through a budding transition. These limitations are not confined to political actors but also encompass civil society organizations and emerging social networks. Despite a surge of innovative initiatives in civil action, ongoing events indicate that citizens, opposition groups and incumbents politicians need further support in acquiring knowledge and experience in state building, participatory governance and statecraft. At the same time, as the chasm between different political actors continues to widen, a common vision on how to achieve a smooth transition and maintain social cohesion seems out of reach.
Arab citizens and the new civil and political elites are not inventing the wheels of transition politics from authoritarianism. Though major differences exist between regions, the world abounds with rich and useful experiences of transition that could inspire young Arabs seeking real change and a chance to rethink modes of civic engagement, effect genuine participation and enshrine consensus as the major principle of policymaking. The role that different civil society groups or civic activists can play in addressing these challenges is paramount.
Against this background, the Social Participatory Development Section (SPDS) in the Social Development Division at UN-ESCWA has launched an electronic discussion that seeks the informed opinions and knowledge of Arab activists, experts and interested individuals, men and women from across the region, on what opportunities exist to effect true change in the region. The goal is to engage with them in thinking through the various challenges that Arab countries are facing, the role of civil society organizations and activists in addressing these challenges and prospects for the future. More specifically, through this seminar we hope to collectively think through ways to transform some of the more innovative experiences in civil action that are emerging in the region into a concrete platform for participatory action and consider the lessons that may be learnt from the experiences of others in transition.
Under the guidance of a moderator (Mr. Jameel Mouawad), the following questions will be used to engage participants in the e-seminar with key issues related to the background above and consider the challenges and the opportunities they see for effective change in the region. A final report of the e-forum is available below.
After the Arab uprisings:
Demands
1) What kind of participatory policymaking mechanisms are citizens demanding today and for what aims? Are they meant to allow them to express their views, manage their conflicts, and achieve consensus or to also engage them in policy making processes?
2) How can these mechanisms contribute to conflict prevention and reduce current tensions between states and citizens? What are the requirements for disseminating and mainstreaming such mechanisms?
Context
3) What are the potential challenges and obstacles to devising and institutionalizing new mechanisms for political participation in Arab countries? What kind of support is needed to promote participation and foster consensus building in communities in transition?
4) What is the impact of increasing socio-political conflicts stemming from transition related instability on the needed frameworks and mechanisms for effective participation?
Approaches
5) What new approaches to participation and civic engagement are emerging in countries of the region? To what extent are the participatory methods adopted by various citizen groups, namely women and youth, different from past experiences and how do they affect protracted conflicts in Arab societies?
6) What existing examples and experiences (from Arab countries and international contexts) can be drawn upon to foster participation and support consensus building in Arab countries?
Vision
7) What vision can we put forward for devising new innovative participatory and consensus building mechanisms on issues of public concern?
League of Arab States, Cairo, Egypt
