Workshop

Democracies in the Making. Egypt at the Centre of Arab Transitions

3 - 4 June 2013
Cairo
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    • Are the Arab transitions failing? Will the countries of the region be able to consolidate inclusive democratic systems? Is the European Union doing enough to support democratic reforms and civil society? What is the role that think-tanks can play in countries in transition? Can they provide transforming ideas and become an informed and independent voice in policy debates?

    The objective of this workshop, organised by the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, the IEMed and EuroMeSCo, was to analyse the current phase of the democratic transitions in the region dominated by a high level of polarisation. In particular, the actors and the factors at play were analysed, with a particular focus on Egypt and its significance for the rest of democratic transitions in the Arab world.

    Agenda

    day one

    Welcome remarks and opening session

    Senén Florensa Executive President IEMed – The European Institute of the Mediterranean
    James Moran Head of Delegation of the European Union in Egypt
    Diaa Rashwan Director, Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, Egypt
    Fidel Sendagorta Ambassador of Spain to the Republic of Egypt
    Amr Moussa Former Secretary General of the Arab League and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt

    session one

    The Egyptian path towards democracy: progress and setbacks
    chair Gamal Soltan Former Director, Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, Egypt
    Mohamed El Agati Executive Director, Arab Forum for Alternatives, Egypt
    Ibrahim Awad Professor, American University of Cairo, Egypt
    Ibrahim El Houdaiby Senior Researcher, House of Wisdom, Egypt

    day two

    Roundtable discussion

    A transformed region: the Arab Spring and geopolitical shifts in the southern Mediterranean
    chair Amr Elshobaki Senior Expert ACPSS – Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies
    Angus Blair President, Signet Institute, Egypt
    Mensur Akgün Director, Professor of International Relations GPoT – Global Political Trends Center
    Omar Shaban Director Pal-Think for Strategic Studies

    Roundtable discussion

    How does the EU support democratic reforms?
    Hanaa Ebeid Senior Researcher, Editor-in-Chief of Democracy Review ACPSS – Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies
    Andreu Bassols Director General, IEMed, Spain
    Timo Behr Researcher, Finnish Institute for International Affairs, Finland

    Roundtable discussion

    The role of civil society: how can think tanks and research institutes uphold progress towards democracy?
    chair Pol Morillas Director CIDOB – Barcelona Centre for International Affairs
    Ziad A. Akl Senior Researcher ACPSS – Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies
    Hossam Eldin Ali Board Chairman, Egyptian Policy Centre, Egypt
    Omar Shaban Director Pal-Think for Strategic Studies
    Nadine Sherif International Advocacy Officer, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Cairo, Egypt

    Conclusions

    Alberto Virella Director of Cooperation with Africa and Asia, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Spain
    Andreu Bassols Director General, IEMed, Spain
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