Talking to Arab Youth

Who are the youth activists of Egypt and Tunisia? What are their ideas, and what types of action are they taking? As key protagonists of revolution in 2011, what capacity do they now have to sustain their political and civic engagement over the long term? This study maps the discourse and activism of youth in postrevolutionary Egypt and Tunisia. It offers insight into where the transitions are heading and provides suggestions for how stakeholders might best engage with youth actors in the region.

A new IPI book maps the civic and political activism of youth in postrevolutionary Egypt and Tunisia. Who are the youth activists of Egypt and Tunisia? What are their ideas, and what types of action are they taking? As key protagonists of revolution in 2011, what capacity do they now have to sustain their political and civic engagement over the long term? The book examines the competing narratives of the revolutions and the challenges of advancing the discourse of dignity and social justice in the face of heightened polarization and political turmoil. Through a variety of interview-based case studies, the monograph charts the participation of youth in political parties and civil society organizations, and provides concrete examples of the obstacles they encounter as they seek to engage with the political system and their fellow citizens in Egypt and Tunisia today. The author concludes with suggestions on how national and international stakeholders can engage with youth actors in the region to improve the chances for a consolidated transition to democracy.

NUR LAIQ is a senior policy analyst in the Middle East program at the International Peace Institute, where she conceived and designed the Arab Youth Project and co-edited a book on the Middle East peace process negotiations (Oxford University Press, forthcoming 2014). She previously worked with Labour Party members of parliament in London on foreign policy and on the European Commission’s Middle East desk in Brussels. She has also worked with refugees through the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Damascus and New Delhi. Nur has a master’s degree in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from Oxford University. She has studied Arabic and conducted research in Damascus and Amman, and learned Persian in Tehran.