Political transitions as a result of popular uprisings in different Arab countries have brought to the fore a number of short term challenges that will have a decisive impact on the long term prospects of these countries and the region. These include the lack of consensus on key priorities between those who participated in the uprisings, the exclusion of the youth and women who formed the backbone of the uprisings from transitional bodies and other political decision making processes, and from effective participation during the transitional period, as well as emerging struggles between different political powers including remnants of older regimes. Questions of national and religious identities have also emerged and have been linked by political opportunists to the continuation of former regimes while political Islam in both moderate and ultra conservative forms has taken center stage.

Given this complex political scene, it is difficult to propose a unified vision for societies undergoing this transition, particularly in countries where toppling the head of the regime has not necessarily meant a radical change in existing political structures especially since the first phase of transitions and the results of elections highlighted the weakness of liberal and civic minded parties and their inability to achieve meaningful results.

Against this background, the Social Participatory Development Section (SPDS) in the Social Development Division at UN-ESCWA has launched an electronic discussion around the challenges to participation in the transition to democracy.  The aim of this e-forum is to provide an opportunity to citizens, men and women from across the region, to discuss and debate a number of questions related to the theme and perhaps generate a sustained dialogue on the challenges facing the region today. Inputs from the discussion will be feed into the planned section publication on Citizenship and the Transition to Democracy and its related publications including bulletins and policy briefs.

The e-forum will be facilitated by an expert appointed by SPDS to moderate the discussions based on the following questions:

(1)  It is widely recognized that there were no agreements or negotiated consensus between those took part in the uprisings on the desired alternative political regime. However there was evident consensus over the aspired characteristics of their future namely justice, freedom and participation.
Do you believe that these aspirations which constituted the backbone of the uprisings will be realized, or do you think there will be stagnation or even a regression on these issues in the short-term?

(2)   Arab youth played a pivotal role in the uprisings that gripped the region. They were instrumental in breaking the barrier of fear and unleashing the possibility for realizing the dreams of this youth for a decent life, productive employment and participation in public life. However, the outcomes of these uprisings so far continue to lag behind these aspirations.
In your view, what are the fundamental challenges that need to be addressed and that can support Arab youth in achieving these aspirations?

(3)  Initiatives and discussions of the immediate period following the toppling of various regimes have focused almost exclusively on political elections. In the process, power struggles have overshadowed all other decision making processes including the need to initiate consensus-based public policies that reflect the interests and expectations of all social actors, especially marginalized ones.
Do you think that elections guarantee a smooth transition to democracy and how can they be linked to socio-economic and political priorities during democratic transitions?   

(4) Women were at the forefront of Arab uprisings and had a significant impact on their dynamics and outcomes. However, their role in the transitional councils and other decision making instruments declined considerably.
In your opinion, what are the reasons for the decline of women’s role in decision-making bodies? What are the immediate steps that need to be taken to address this challenge? 

(5) Sharp differences prevail between the military and Islamists on the one hand and between various social constituencies over the concept of civic governance and the separation of religion and state.
Do you think public demand for a civic state, rule of Law, citizenship and peaceful transfer of power might recede as a result of the power struggle between the military and the Islamists? If so what needs to be done to pre-empt this?

(6)  The dramatic success of the Muslim Brotherhood at the ballot box has been one of the main outcomes of the elections held in the aftermath of the Arab uprisings while other more “secular” or less religious groupings who effectively participated and even led the uprisings did not do as well. 
In your opinion, why was the share of Muslim Brotherhood at the ballot box greater than their role in initiating the uprisings, and how might this positively or negatively influence the peaceful transition to a democratic political system grounded in concepts of citizenship?

(7) In many transition countries, the toppling of leader was not followed by an effective ousting of the regime and a radical change in power.
In your opinion, what are the key steps necessary to guarantee an effective transition and to initiate a new social contract that ensures equality, freedom,  and social justice for all citizens?

(8) Some feel that the transition process is being undermined by remnants of former regimes with vested power interest and which opens the door for the return of autocracy in new forms.
In your opinion, how should the remnants of past regimes be dealt with so as to guarantee the peaceful and irreversible transition to democracy?

(9) Most transition countries in the region are marked by considerable disagreements around the sequencing of priorities during this period including the writing of the constitution, the role of military in politics, and national reconciliation.
In your opinion, what are the most urgent issues around which efforts should be focused and that would allow the consolidation of a peaceful transition to democracy?

(10) Arab uprisings were fueled and gave rise to youth movements liberated from the confined “reform” agendas of existing political parties and rebellious against the oppressiveness of existing regimes. However the role of these “new actors” is regressing in parallel with the rise of political, and especially Islamist, parties.        
Do you think youth movements can regain their effectiveness and dynamics? What conditions are needed to ensure success?

(11) Arab uprisings embodied popular demand for radical cultural, social, economic and political change. However most efforts and discussion in the immediate transitional period have focused on political reforms and freedoms at the expense of existing socio-economic development models anchored in consumerism, rentierism, external debt and dependency.      
In your opinion, what socio-economic reforms are needed to achieve social justice, a key demand of Arab protestors? 

(12) Arab uprisings have shattered the barriers of fear and established a sound basis for an Arab “public opinion” ready to fight for its rights. However, and as evidenced by the electoral victory of ultra conservative forces, many analysts believe that the revolutionary spirit has yet to affect conservative cultural norms shrouded in religious edicts.   
In your opinion, what are the conditions necessary for an cultural uprising in the Arab region?  

(13)  “The people want the liberation of Palestine” slogan was encapsulated in many demonstrations demanding that reformed or newly written constitutions impose legal sanctions on normalization with Israel.      
In your opinion, what is the inherent relationship between Arab uprisings and the Palestinian question?

(14) Popular protests that have broken out in different European countries as Greece and Spain have referred to uprisings in Arab countries. These are expected to escalate as a result of political pressure and the repercussions of the financial crisis. 
Do you believe that the Arab uprisings will expand to other countries of the World?