This dialogue is one of the dialogue series launched by ESCWA in the aftermath of the so-called "Arab Spring" to shed light on emerging civil society challenges and the mechanisms available to promote civic engagement and participation in decision-making processes in the countries that witnessed the popular upheavals. The dialogues also aim to enhance experience sharing, support networking and coordination and uphold efforts for national dialogues and consensus-building.

The 2017 dialogue will gather activists and experts from selected member countries which have accompanied or influenced social movements in the region in addition to representatives from civil society organizations, research centers and regional organizations operating in Lebanon.