Workshop

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

3 - 4 June 2013
Cairo

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

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
Angus Blair President, Signet Institute, Egypt
Mensur Akgün Director, Professor of International Relations GPoT – Global Political Trends Center

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?
Hossam Eldin Ali Board Chairman, Egyptian Policy Centre, Egypt
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
circle graphic