Arab Reform Initiative - English

31/12/2020

Egypt after the Coronavirus: Back to Square One

And the paper you most read this year is 👇👇

#Egypt after the #Coronavirus: Back to Square One

Egypt’s recent #security and macro-economic #stabilization has been built on weak foundations and Covid-19 has further exposed this #fragility. Egypt is now back to a situation broadly similar to that before the 2011 #revolution: stable on the surface, but with deep structural problems and simmering #social grievances, and little #buffers to mitigate them. This paper argues for a major shift in the ways the country is currently governed in favour of greater openness in #politics and #markets, and for the international community to seriously engage Egypt on the need to #reform economically and politically.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/egypt-after-the-coronavirus-back-to-square-one/

Egypt’s recent security and macro-economic stabilization has been built on weak foundations and Covid-19 has further exposed this fragility. Egypt is now back to a situation broadly similar to that before the 2011 revolution: stable on the surface, but with deep structural problems and simmering s...

30/12/2020

Decentralization in Morocco: Promising Legal Reforms with Uncertain Impact

This year, you've also read 👇👇

#Decentralization in #Morocco: Promising #Legal #Reforms with Uncertain Impact

In 2011 Morocco introduced legal and #constitution-al changes to encourage local #democracy and ensure more #autonomy for the local authorities as part of the country’s decentralization process. Important uncertainties remain, however, as to their real implementation on the ground. This paper argues that for effective decentralization to take place, #local authorities need significant administrative #freedom-s, and decentralization reforms need to be more closely linked to more efficient #fiscal arrangements for municipalities as they develop their own resources.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/decentralization-in-morocco-promising-legal-reforms-with-uncertain-impact/

In 2011 Morocco introduced legal and constitutional changes to encourage local democracy and ensure more autonomy for the local authorities as part of the country’s decentralization process. Important uncertainties remain, however, as to their real implementation on the ground. This paper argues t...

29/12/2020

Sudan: Managing COVID-19 Pandemic During a Time of Transition

As we near the end of 2020, have a look at one of our most read publications from this year! 👇👇

S#udan: Managing #COVID19 Pandemic During a Time of #Transition

Sudan’s current transitional government has inherited a fragile #health system that suffered years of #neglect and underinvestment. The spread of COVID-19 poses important #challenges to the country’s health and #political structures. This Q&A looks at how Sudan’s #government and #nongovernment actors are faring against the spread of the #pandemic and the impact of the lockdown on the political transition in the country.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/sudan-managing-covid-19-pandemic-during-a-time-of-transition/

Sudan’s current transitional government has inherited a fragile health system that suffered years of neglect and underinvestment. The spread of COVID-19 poses important challenges to the country’s health and political structures. This Q&A loo...

17/12/2020

With our partners WeStart Organization and Humetna Association جمعية حومتنا, we are excited to announce our new project "Promoting #Youth Participation in Democratic #Consolidation in #Tunisia," made possible by Porticus Foundation.

Through a series of focus group discussions and interviews with Gen Y and Gen Z Tunisians in six cities, we'll be researching the factors that mediate Tunisian youth’s support to and #participation in #democracy, and investigating the different processes of democratic #socialization between two generations of post-2011 Tunisian youth. We will work #together to convert Tunisian youth's priorities into concrete #policy options and #advocacy actions.

Tunisia’s transition to democracy remains the critical case in the Arab region, and its success in this process is of vital importance domestically and internationally. We want #youth, as the key actors who instigated this process and the heirs to its outcome, to be #empowered as political actors to realize their own #ambitions.

15/12/2020

Sudan: Have the Juba and Addis Ababa Agreements Untangled the Dichotomy between Religion and the State?

In #Sudan, have the #Juba and #AddisAbaba agreements untangled the #dichotomy between #religion and the #state? 👇🏻👇🏻

The place of religion in Sudan’s state has divided the country since its #independence. In September, the transitional government agreed to separate religion and state, in an attempt to end the decades-long #contention. Against the backdrop of past #constitution-al failures to adequately recognize and address Sudan’s #diversity, this paper examines the implications of the recent Juba and Addis Ababa agreements in the country’s efforts to build a #civil #democratic state and the #challenges ahead.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/sudan-have-the-juba-and-addis-ababa-agreements-untangled-the-dichotomy-between-religion-and-the-state/

The place of religion in Sudan’s state has divided the country since its independence. In September, the transitional government agreed to separate religion and state, in an attempt to end the decades-long contention. Against the backdrop of past constitutional failures to adequately recognize and...

10/12/2020

The Rugged Road: The Emergence, Evolution and Challenges of Human Rights Action in Arab Countries

Today is #HumanRightsDay2020! Check out the work we published last year on the #emergence, #evolution, and #challenges of #humanrights action in #Arab countries 👇🏻

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/the-rugged-road-the-emergence-evolution-and-challenges-of-human-rights-action-in-arab-countries/

Editor: Khaled Mansour

09/12/2020

The Pavements Don't Speak: Silencing Street Theatre in Egypt

Check out our new Bawader on #StreetArt in Egypt!

Although #StreetTheatre succeeded in establishing itself as an artistic genre in #Egypt in the 2000s, the rising restrictions on #FreedomOfExpression and #assembly have forced street performers to silence in recent years. Through a series of interviews with #artists, this paper addresses the factors that enabled the rise of street theatre, the process of #politicization of some of its pioneers, as well as the causes that led to its fall.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/the-pavements-dont-speak-silencing-street-theatre-in-egypt/

Although street theatre succeeded in establishing itself as an artistic genre in Egypt in the 2000s, the rising restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly have forced street performers to silence in recent years. Through a series of interviews with artists, this paper addresses the factors t...

04/12/2020

Mobilizing against Anti-black Racism in MENA: A Reader

Read our new reader on anti- #racism in #MENA, full of important literary and academic works 👇👇

Despite the recent growth of interest in anti-racism in MENA, scholarly and literary works on the plight of black people in the #Arab region or the part they play in the region’s social #dynamics remain sparse. The Arab #Reform Initiative is putting together a series of papers to highlight #activism and #mobilization against anti-black racism in MENA. As part of this effort, we are also compiling this reading list to draw attention to key academic and literary works that have tackled anti-black racism in the region. If you would like to suggest additional reading material, send a link with a description to ari-communications(at)arab-reform.net.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/mobilizing-against-anti-black-racism-in-mena-a-reader/

Despite the recent growth of interest in anti-racism in MENA, scholarly and literary works on the plight of black people in the Arab region or the part they play in the region’s social dynamics remain sparse. The Arab Reform Initiative is putting together a

25/11/2020

Tunisie : La COVID-19 accroît la vulnérabilité des femmes rurales

Les ouvrières agricultrices en #Tunisie souffrent souvent et systématiquement de l'exploitation. Lisez notre nouvel article ici pour en savoir plus 👇

Les femmes #tunisie-nnes des zones rurales jouent un rôle vital dans le maintien de la #sécurité alimentaire durant la pandémie de #coronavirus, mais continuent de souffrir d’exploitation et d’exclusion. Alors que leurs conditions de travail sont déjà connues pour être désastreuses, la crise de #santé publique a aggravé leur #insécurité économique et sociale. Ce document étudie le traitement spoliateur systémique des ouvrières agricoles, l’incapacité de l’ #État à protéger, jusqu’à présent, ce groupe social et la manière dont les #ONG locales contribuent à améliorer leurs vies.

https://www.arab-reform.net/fr/publication/tunisie-la-covid-19-accroit-la-vulnerabilite-des-femmes-rurales/

Les femmes tunisiennes des zones rurales jouent un rôle vital dans le maintien de la sécurité alimentaire durant la pandémie de coronavirus, mais continuent de souffrir d’exploitation et d’exclusion. Alors que leurs conditions de travail sont déjà connues pour être désastreuses, la c...

25/11/2020

Tunisia: COVID-19 Increases Vulnerability of Rural Women

Female agriculture workers in #Tunisia are frequently and systematically exploited. Read our new paper to find out more 👇

#Tunisia-n #women in rural areas have played a vital role in maintaining food security during the #coronavirus pandemic but continue to suffer exploitation and exclusion. While their working conditions are already known for being dire, the public #health #crisis has compounded their economic and social #insecurity. This paper discusses the systemic exploitative treatment of female agricultural workers, the state’s inability so far to #protect them, and how local #NGOs are helping to improve their lives.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/tunisia-covid-19-increases-vulnerability-of-rural-women/

Tunisian women in rural areas have played a vital role in maintaining food security during the coronavirus pandemic but continue to suffer exploitation and exclusion. While their working conditions are already known for being dire, the public health crisis has compounded their economic and socia...

25/11/2020

Nizar Saghieh – No Society Disappears Through Bankruptcy: Its Vitality Alone Can Ensure Accountability

#Lebanon recently celebrated its National #Independence Day. But what about the independence of the #judiciary? 👇👇

This interview with lawyer and Executive Director of @LegalAgenda Nizar Saghieh addresses the most important dimensions of #accountability following the economic and financial #crisis that Lebanon is suffering. It expands the notions of #justice, lack of #trust in the judiciary, and widespread #corruption, while attempting to create hope by emphasizing the vitality of a #CivilSociety brought once more to the fore by the “17 October Uprising.” Rather than a mere uprising against power, this is now known as the #revolution that revived and rebuilt society.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/nizar-saghieh-no-society-disappears-through-bankruptcy-its-vitality-alone-can-ensure-accountability/

This interview with lawyer and

18/11/2020

Assistant de recherche

Rejoignez notre équipe en #Tunisie!

ARI recrute un assistant de recherche pour accompagner le travail entrepris en Tunisie et sur toute l’Afrique du Nord.

Pour plus de détails: https://www.arab-reform.net/fr/job/assistant-de-recherche/

Poste: Assistant de recherche (Consultance d’un an renouvelable ) Lieu: Tunis, Tunisie Profil recherché ARI recrute un assistant de recherche pour accompagner le travail entrepris en Tunisie et sur…

17/11/2020

Solutions for the “Vanishing Drug” Conundrum in Lebanon: A Change in the Subsidy System Coupled with a Digital Prescribing Platform

Lebanon is facing a debilitating medicine crisis alongside many other problems. Read our new paper here 👇

The shortage of foreign #currency caused by the multiple crises in #Lebanon threatens the availability of #pharmaceutical products, with patients experiencing shortages of many #drugs despite an importation subsidy system for pharmaceuticals financed by the #CentralBank’s foreign reserves. This paper describes Lebanon’s pharmaceutical supply chain and the Central Bank’s subsidy system and proposes recommendations to ensure the continuous availability of #medication on #pharmacy shelves.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/solutions-for-the-vanishing-drug-conundrum-in-lebanon-a-change-in-the-subsidy-system-coupled-with-a-digital-prescribing-platform/

The shortage of foreign currency caused by the multiple crises in Lebanon threatens the availability of pharmaceutical products, with patients experiencing shortages of many drugs despite an importation subsidy system for pharmaceuticals financed by the Central Bank’s foreign reserves. This paper ...

17/11/2020

Mobilization and Political Uncertainty: What Future for Syrian Civil Society in the Diaspora?

In this webinar, the fourth in our series "The New Arab Diasporas,” Eleni Diker and Nora Jasmin Ragab will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Syrian civil society actors in six host countries (Lebanon, Turkey, Germany, France, Denmark, and the UK). The webinar will explore how changing realities inside Syria, in host countries, and internationally impact transnational mobilization and how a vibrant, politically, and socially engaged civil society led by Syrians has emerged and continues to develop. The discussion will also consider future scenarios, joint strategies, and plans for action for Syrian civil society.

13/11/2020

A Syrian Perspective on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon: What Lessons to Be Learnt?

The #SpecialTribunalforLebanon was closely followed by Syrians as well. Read our new article to find out why 👇

Along with the Lebanese, many Syrians were also closely watching the verdict of the Special Tribunal for #Lebanon. This is due in part to suspicions that the Syrian #regime may have been involved in #Hariri’s #assassination but also because of the growing interest of many Syrians in #international options for #justice for the grave #violations committed in Syria since 2011. This paper examines the lessons that Syrians can learn from the STL’s experience in their goal to hold those #responsible for war crimes and #CrimesAgainstHumanity accountable.

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/a-syrian-perspective-on-the-special-tribunal-for-lebanon-what-lessons-to-be-learnt/

Along with the Lebanese, many Syrians were also closely watching the verdict of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This is due in part to suspicions that the Syrian regime may have been involved in Hariri’s assassination but also because of the growing interest of many Syrians in internationa...

10/11/2020

COVID-19 and the Intensification of the GCC Workforce Nationalization Policies

Read our new paper by Huda Alsahi on the Gulf and the impact of its policies on migrant workers 👇

https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/covid-19-and-the-intensification-of-the-gcc-workforce-nationalization-policies/

#Gulf Cooperation Council (#GCC) governments have intensified their efforts to #nationalize their #workforce in response to the #COVID19 crisis and the resulting #economic contraction. These policies will have a wide-ranging negative impact on #migrants and will affect GCC labour markets more broadly. This paper examines how to strike a #balance between the implementation of workforce nationalization #policies and reducing #harm for migrants given the lack of #SocialProtection mechanisms.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) governments have intensified their efforts to nationalize their workforce in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting economic contraction. These policies will have a wide-ranging negative impact on migrants and will affect GCC labour markets more broadly. Thi...

05/11/2020

The “In-Betweenness” of the Libyan Diaspora: Everyday Nationalism, Resistance, and Active Engagement

In this webinar, the third in our series “The New Arab Diasporas,” Alice Alunni and Houda Mzioudet will discuss the different patterns of mobilization and the liminality of the Libyan diaspora and how these are affected by spatial location, temporality, and the pressures of globalization. How have mobilization and everyday nationalism affected the sense of belonging to the Libyan nation? What factors explain the difference in mobilization between diasporic Libyans in North America and Western Europe vs. the exiled community in Tunisia? And what has been the social and political impact of mobilization on the conflict?