The Program on Arab Reform and Democracy at the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law at Stanford University examines the different social and political dynamics within Arab countries and the evolution of their political systems, focusing on the prospects, conditions, and possible pathways for political reform in the region.
This multidisciplinary program brings together both scholars and practitioners–from the policy making, civil society, NGO (non-government organization), media, and political communities–as well as other actors of diverse backgrounds from the Arab world, to consider how democratization and more responsive and accountable governance might be achieved, as a general challenge for the region and within specific Arab countries.
The program aims to be a hub for intellectual capital about issues related to good governance and political reform in the Arab world, producing sound, rigorous, and thoughtful academic research grounded in hands-on work in the Arab world and allowing diverse opinions and voices to be heard.
It benefits from the rich input of the academic community at Stanford, from faculty to researchers to graduate students, as well as our partners in the Arab world and Europe.
Day One – April 26, 2012:
9:00-10:30 Welcome and Opening Panel – International & Domestic Frameworks for Development
Chair: Larry Diamond, Stanford University
Adel Abdellatif, UNDP
George Kossaifi, Dar Al-Tanmiyah
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-12:30 Session 1: Political Economy of Reform
Chair: Hicham Ben Abdallah, Stanford University
– Mongi Boughzala, University of Tunis El-Manar
– Abdulwahab Alkebsi, Center for International Private Enterprise
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3:00 Session 2: Oil-Dependent Economies and Social and Political Development
Chair: Terry Karl, Stanford University (TBC)
– Hedi Larbi, World Bank
– Ibrahim Saif, Carnegie Middle East Center
3:00-3:30 Break
3:30-5:00 Session 3: Youth, ICTs, and Development Opportunities
Chair: Sean Yom, Temple University
– Loubna Skalli-Hanna, American University
– Hatoon Ajwad Al-Fassi, King Saud University
Day Two – April 27, 2012:
9:00-10:30 Session 1: Civil Society Development
Chair: Lina Khatib, Stanford University
– Laryssa Chomiak, Centre d’Etudes Maghrebines a Tunis (CEMAT)
– Rihab Elhaj, New Libya Foundation
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-12:30 Session 2: Democratic Transition and the Political Development of Women
Chair: Katie Zoglin, Human Rights Lawyer
– Valentine Moghadam, Northeastern University
– Amaney Jamal, Princeton University
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3:00 Session 3: Minority Rights as a Key Component of Development
Chair: Joel Beinin, Stanford University
– Mona Makram-Ebeid, American University in Cairo
– Nadim Shehadi, Chatham House
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15-4:30 Session 4: Towards Integrated Development in the Arab World
Chair: Larry Diamond, Stanford University
– Closing roundtable discussion: Scenarios for integrated development
4:30-5:30pm Reception
