Project description

“Arab Youth: From engagement to inclusion?”

The research project “Arab Youth: From Engagement to Inclusion?” deals with the emergence of youth initiatives and youth organizations in the course of the “Arab spring”, their relation to the state and their possible support by external actors. Through field researches the project aims to document and analyze current developments in political mobilization and participation of the younger population in Egypt and Morocco. The Arab youth and young adults were the main constituents and organizers of the mass protests last year. In addition, the project will focus on the role and influence of external actors in both countries as well as their perception among the target groups in Egypt and Morocco. By focusing on these actors, the project addresses a key question concerning the societal and political future of the Arab world.

The project is funded by Volkswagen Foundation and conducted under the joint supervision of Prof. Dr. Oliver Schlumberger, University of Tübingen, Prof. Dr. Saloua Zerhouni, Université Mohammed V in Rabat and Dr. Nadine Sika, American University in Cairo. Prof. Dr. Mustapha K. Sayyid, probably Egypt’s most renowned political scientist and lead author of UNDP’s Arab Human Development Report 2009, will assist the team as a backstopping instance. The Institute of Political Science will employ Kressen Thyen, M.A. as a research associate who will prepare a PhD-dissertation within the framework of the project. The University of Tübingen takes the administrative responsibility for the project. Overall funding amounts to approximately 200 000 € for a duration of two years. First results will be presented in public panel discussions in Tübingen and Berlin in spring 2014.

Brief project description

Arab Youth - From engagement to inclusion?

The research project “Arab Youth: From Engagement to Inclusion?” deals with the emergence of youth initiatives and youth organizations in the course of the “Arab Spring”, their relation to the state and their possible support by external actors. Through field researches the project aims to document and analyze current developments in political mobilization and participation of the younger population in Egypt and Morocco. The Arab youth and young adults were the main constituents and organizers of the mass protests last year. In addition, the project will focus on the role and influence of external actors in both countries as well as their perception among the target groups in Egypt and Morocco. By focusing on these actors, the project addresses a key question concerning the societal and political future of the Arab world.

The project is funded by Volkswagen Foundation and conducted under the joint supervision of Prof. Dr. Oliver Schlumberger, University of Tübingen, Prof. Dr. Saloua Zerhouni, Université Mohammed V in Rabat and Dr. Nadine Sika, American University in Cairo. Prof. Dr. Mustapha K. Sayyid, probably Egypt’s most renowned political scientist and lead author of UNDP’s Arab Human Development Report 2009, will assist the team as a backstopping instance. The Institute of Political Science will employ Kressen Thyen, M.A. as a research associate who will prepare a PhD-dissertation within the framework of the project. The University of Tübingen takes the administrative responsibility for the project. Overall funding amounts to approximately 200 000 € for a duration of two years. First results will be presented in public panel discussions in Tübingen and Berlin in spring 2014.