A Sub-Project of the CCDP’s Civil Society and Peacebuilding Project
Project coordinator: Dr. Thania Paffenholz
Contact person: Dr. Imène Ajala
Project advisors: Prof. Riccardo Bocco (Graduate Institute); Dr. Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou (Graduate Institute/Geneva Centre for Security Policy); Prof. Benoit Challand (New York University); Prof. Marie-Joëlle Zahar (Université de Montréal); Lyna Comaty (Graduate Institute); Dr. Stephanie Dornschneider (University of Oxford); Prof. Elisabeth Prügl (Graduate Institute) for gender aspects and networking.
Background
The recent wave of popular uprisings taking place in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) brought together several societal actors who have since pushed for a significant socioeconomic and political transformation of their countries. Amongst these actors, civil society movements (including women and youth organizations) have been particularly present and active. To a large extent and in varying forms, they have arguably been in the driving seat of these changes, whether in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, or elsewhere in the region.
Such a development is not unique to the MENA region. A similar key role for civil society was previously observed on an equally large regional scale during transitions from authoritarian to democratic rule in Latin America in the 1980s as well as in Eastern Europe in the 1990s. In other parts of the world, such movements have also substantially contributed to the ending of wars and, concomitantly, various authoritarian regimes.
Yet, research and experience demonstrate that civil society often loses its decisive role in the phase after the immediate transition. While civil society generally proves to be united by a common goal during the 'revolution' phase, the challenges of 'building a new order’ are manifold. In particular, there is a high risk that civil society will lose its influence over the transition process. Former elites may challenge or impede the set up of new institutional frameworks and their functioning, power struggles within and among groups can persist and lead to fragmentation, and civil groups may lose their leaders as these become politicians. Additionally, loose and consensual civil society movements can end up being transformed into non-governmental organizations with limited goals and increasing dependence on external donor funding. Overall, civil society often becomes a service provider for vulnerable groups in need instead of exerting a real influence and playing a role of counter power through different political roles inside and outside the official governance structures. Being aware of the pitfalls and challenges facing civil society during the uneasy and often lengthy transition periods is therefore essential.
Objective
The objective of this project is to strengthen the role and sustainable participation of civil society groups in the Middle East and North Africa during the consolidation phase of the current transitions. While the project makes a clear distinction between each country’s dynamics of upheaval, it aims to generate comparative international and regional insights on challenges and possible response strategies for civil society by providing:
- A space for dialogue and reflection for civil society movements;
- Comparative learning from transition processes both within and outside the MENA region;
- A space for exchange between various civil society groups, politicians, regional and international experts, and donors.
This shall enable different groups and organizations to:
- Share and assess their experiences in the context of the Arab Spring and earlier transition attempts in the region, including an assessment of which actors were involved throughout the process and how their participation has changed over time.
- Learn and benefit from existing research, expertise, and lessons learnt from past transitions in other MENA countries and other regions.
- Provide international actors with guidance on how to support civil society groups in the consolidation of the current transitions.
Main Issues Addressed
- The role of civil society in different countries of the MENA region during the Arab Spring.
- From civil to political society: the transformation of civil society movements into political parties. What is the political impact of the transition on those who participated in the revolutions? Are the leading activists who spearheaded the revolutions still involved? What roles are they now playing in political parties? Which new parties have emerged and what are their constituencies, policies and approaches?
- From socio-political movements to organized civil society: the building of an organized civil society after mass movements. Has there been a fragmentation of the movements along particular lines, including sectarian and gender lines? What is the role of the donor community and what impact does it have on how civil society is developing in terms of the nature and scope of work?
- The changing nature of the relationship between civil society and the state in the MENA region. An assessment of how the participation of civil society has changed the nature of state governance structures, policy and programmes, and brought about legal reform so as to be more inclusive and responsive to civil rights.
- International policies and aid to the MENA region. An examination of the nature, role, and influence of mainly European, US, and Arab policies and aid.
Project Format and Outputs
The project’s outputs will be posted on the CCDP website. They will be varied, including the organization of core regional workshops and various consultations in Europe and the MENA region, the dissemination of issue briefs providing guidance to civil society, politicians and international actors and donors, as well as academic publications.
A FIRST WORKSHOP was held in April in Amman (Jordan). The consultation brought together more than 70 participants from Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon and Jordan which included civil society activists, international and regional researchers as well as diplomats and donor representatives. As a result, a conference report and an issue brief (in English and Arabic) have been published, discussing the main findings of the event. For a detailed description of the workshop, please click here.
A SECOND WORKSHOP was held in Cairo (Egypt). The consultation was the first forum of its kind to tackle the current challenges faced by civil societies in Egypt and Tunisia from a comparative perspective. An issue brief (in English and in Arabic) presents the main findings of the event. For more information about the workshop, please click here.
