Connecting Arab youth to democratize service delivery in crisis
Youth from across the Arab region gathered together in Beirut and Tunis in February and October 2023 to compare the ways in which different countries in the region responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, and make policy and programmatic recommendations to democratize governance and service delivery in times of crisis. The gatherings were part of the regional project ‘Pandemic Lessons for Democratic Good Practices in Crisis in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia’, implemented by the Arab Alternatives Forum for Social Studies which aimed to empower Arab youth to advocate for inclusive practices.
The interactive events brought together a diverse and gender-balanced cohort of aspiring young researchers and professionals from civil society organizations from all countries covered by the project. Participants examined case studies produced by the project to understand how both centralized and de-centralized governance structures dealt with the pandemic crisis and shared their own experiences from their countries. The workshops resulted in the creation of a regional network with the purpose of advancing democracy by promoting relevant practices during times of crisis in the Arab region. The network advocates for civil and political rights as well as the rule of law to spread awareness and foster a democratic culture. Its primary focus revolves around crafting responsive strategies and policy alternatives, centered on addressing the COVID-19 health crisis, with lessons expanding the scope on to other regional challenges.
The project’s knowledge dissemination strategy extends beyond the establishment of the network and aims to have a broader impact across diverse groups, with the hope of creating a ripple effect throughout the region. One significant avenue involves coordinating advocacy efforts, reaching out to stakeholders ranging from small civil society organizations to decision-makers. Another key trajectory is the dissemination of valuable insights and expertise through localized and inter-organizational training sessions held by the network members.
In essence, these events have not merely imparted knowledge and skills; they have catalyzed the formation of a dynamic and interconnected community to share knowledge, experiences, and help promote inclusive approaches to their respective fields.
