#ArabSpring four years on: revisiting societal dynamics

#ArabSpring four years on: revisiting societal dynamics
International seminar
th
Madrid, March 16 2015
Since demonstrations first took Tunisia by storm in December 2010, the Arab world region has never
been the same. When the uprisings first began, enthusiasm was contagious as dictators fell and the
voices of the people, silenced for decades, erupted onto the political stage. The term “Arab Spring” was
coined and embraced by media and observers alike. The romantic reminiscence of Prague 1968 was
there, but also its dramatic evolution.
Four years after, the picture is different altogether and the Arab Spring spirit has often been reduced to
a lengthy winter of discontent. Some countries, like Syria, Libya and Yemen have become embroiled in
disastrous civil wars. In Egypt, a transition to democratic governance has been halted by deep political
divisions, military intervention, a failing economy, and dysfunctional state institutions. Although Tunisia
seems to have escaped the polarization conundrum and should be on the path to a better future, it is
still in a fragile socioeconomic situation.
Despite the sense of hopelessness all around, people in many countries continue to push for meaningful
change and better opportunities for themselves and their fellow citizens. In many countries rocked by
the Arab uprisings, but also in neighboring nations, much work still needs to be done to realize the
revolutionary goals of bread, freedom, and social justice. In this context, the story of “civic
entrepreneurism” needs to be told, given its role as an Arab Spring spearhead. A surge in grassroots
movements, initiatives, and even startups has been the oxygen of revolutions in the MENA region and,
though largely unappreciated, is a phenomenon to be reckoned with.
As activists, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and filmmakers contributed to the reconstruction of their
political, economic, social, and cultural fabric, they reflected a growing interest in collaborating with
others on matters of common concern. The development of pluralistic systems where all political forces
can play, without one monopolizing power, is a difficult task in countries with a high deficit in
democratic experience. But one has to start somewhere. The exercise of creating a new culture of
debate and consensus may come in the shape of self-expression and risk-taking, a rejection of
traditional social hierarchies and government hegemony; releasing hidden potentials by breaking the
fear barriers.
This seminar, organized by Casa Árabe and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, comes at a crucial time for reflection
and evaluation of the telluric movements which have shaken the MENA region. These developments
are shaping people’s behaviors and expectations as much as the results of elections or the ups-anddowns of national economies.
PROGRAM
09:30 FOREWORD
Welcome by the organizers
Michael Ehrke, Madrid director, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
Eduardo López Busquets, director-general, Casa Árabe
OPENING STATEMENT
Civic entrepreneurship and the future of the Arab Spring. Maryam Jamshidi, lawyer and political
scientist, Muftah.org
10:00-11:30 SESSION 1: POLITICAL DIMENSION
New ways of participation and contestation. Ziad Boussen, member, Jeunes Démocrates
Indépendants)
Religious movements and politics. Nader Hashemi, director, Center for Middle East Studies,
University of Denver
The fourth and definite power: media. Fatima El-Issawi, researcher, Middle East Centre,
London School of Economics
Moderator: Karim Hauser, head of Governance, Casa Árabe
12:00-13:30 SESSION 2: ECONOMIC DIMENSION
The entrepreneurs of the revolution. Samer Karam, founding manager, Startup Megaphone
Creating jobs amidst the crisis. Youssef Fennira, project manager, AHK Tunisia
The fragmented economies of state and society. Adil Sadoq, microfinance trainer, Mennonite
Economic Development Associates (MEDA)
Moderator: Olivia Orozco, co-ordinator of Training and Economics, Casa Árabe
15:00-16:30 SESSION 3: SOCIAL DIMENSION
The significance of discontent: Arab faces and perceptions of injustice. Maha Yahya, associate
fellow, Carnegie-Middle East Center
Activism and human rights. Mohammed al Maskati , consultant, The Bahrain Youth Society for
Human Rights
Mental health in conflict-ridden countries. Sally Toma, psychologist and activist, Kazeboon
Moderator: Leila Nachawati, blogger and academic, Universidad Carlos III
17:00-18:30 SESSION 4: CULTURAL DIMENSION
Creating spaces of freedom. Malu Halasa , editor of Syria Speaks
Walls speak: street art. Anahi Alviso, researcher, Centre Français d’Archéologie et de Sciences
Sociales de Sanaa (CEFAS)
Citizen theatre and collective memory. Jaouad Essounani, director, Dabateatr
Moderator: Nuria Medina (Casa Árabe)
18:30 CONCLUSION