During the second day of the “Arabs of the Future” conference, organized by the Arab Council in Istanbul, Turkey, the conference’s workshops continued.
Workshop Three: Networking Between Forces of Change: A New Integrative Vision
In a connected world where goods, individuals, and ideas move freely across nations via advanced communication tools and amidst a massive data and networking revolution, many international, regional, and social systems are witnessing a genuine revolution in thought, perceptions, policies, and methodologies alike.
In the Arab region, the chaos and instability appear to be part of a major transformation within weakened existing systems. Much of the tension in the region can be attributed to increased risks resulting from the complexity of existing networks, driven by the communication revolution, globalization, and the inability or unwillingness of Arab systems to adapt to these transformations. Decision-makers in the region often seem oblivious to these shifts.
Therefore, understanding these networks, steering them effectively, and establishing projects capable of creating a regional system that ensures stability and security among states is crucial. This includes supporting social, economic, and financial networks with clear strategies for addressing regional challenges and envisioning the future of Arab states. Such efforts represent the starting point for crafting a new reality that operates horizontally across the region and involves all sectors and individuals.
Workshop Objective
The aim of this workshop is to manage a serious dialogue around a vision for a new integrative model in the region. This model relies on horizontal networking between active forces and networks in the Arab sphere as an alternative to the traditional model, which has failed miserably. The traditional model is represented by the Arab League, an organization of regimes with rigid, hierarchical structures and outdated operational methods.
We believe that transitioning from being “peoples of subjects” to “peoples of citizens” in the region must be accompanied by a shift from a League of Arab States (focused on regimes) to a Union of Free Arab Peoples.
Discussion Questions for the Workshop
To explore this new vision, we propose that participants consider the following questions:
- What are the existing networks across the region? What are their nature, orientations, and willingness to bring about genuine change?
- What networks are obstructing the wave of change sweeping through the region?
- What strategies could be employed to create active networks capable of developing a new narrative for the regional system?
- How can social networks, through technological means, nonviolent struggle, and economic actors, contribute to realizing the vision of “a nation of citizens” and a Union of Arab Peoples as an alternative to the existing League?
- How can we learn from successful integration experiences in other parts of the world?
