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Mai El Gabry - My Blog
Mai El Gabry - My Blog


Democracy
Related to country: Egypt

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Democracy is not in external funding. USA's attempt at democratizing Egypt is done through NGO's funding; however the government's relation with domestic human rights NGOs is controversial and tense. The stereotypical image of western-based pro-democracy activists joined with domestic NGOs in opposition to Middle Eastern authoritarianism may be much more complicated. Indeed, according to critics, external US pressures for democratization should not be taken at face value. These critics ask: What kind of democracy is promoted by US public agencies (USAID in particular) and associated NGOs, how is it promoted, and for what purposes.

Democracy-promotion strategies generally involve diversion of US foreign aid from states to NGOs, and draw intellectual support from liberal academics’ insistence on the importance of downsizing the state and strengthening civil society as a means to democratization.

That is why I advise that democracy should be a mentality not just by means of funding. By my attendance of the MEPI Leadership for Democracy Fellowship, I would be one of many, later on, who will change the democracy scene in Egypt. I intend to lead a local NGO towards the path of true democracy.

The first United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Arab Human Development Report (AHDR) (2002), prepared by Arab scholars and experts, identified the three most important development challenges facing the Arab world as deficits in knowledge, freedom, and women's empowerment. In the conclusions of the AHDR-echoed in the declarations of many Arab reformers and regional networks- the way forward in Arab countries is seen as lying through "promoting good governance" and "reforming the state institutions, and activating the voice of the people". Emphasis was placed on: firstly comprehensive political representation in effective legislatures that are based on free, honest, efficient and regular elections. Secondly, legal and administrative procedures which guarantee citizen's rights and are compatible with fundamental human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association for all. Thirdly, women's participation in political, economic and other social institutions. By focusing on electoral systems and processes, women's' participation and political parties.

The second AHDR (2003) has since focused on one of three challenges identified in 2002- the building of a knowledge society. It acknowledges that since 2002 there has been some progress in the advancement of women and in some aspects of popular participation, "yet these bright spots, accompanied briefly by drawing awareness of the need for reform, were partly eclipsed by new setbacks in the area of freedom of opinion, expression and association". The need for extensive dialogue and consensus building around agendas for political reform is more important than ever.

Regarding the electoral process, the findings of the project seem to suggest that government and national stakeholders promote greater independence and professionalism in election administration, systematic authorization for domestic election observation, the establishment of mechanisms for the resolution of electoral disputes, equal access to the media for political parties and some regulation of campaign financing.
Therefore, I believe I can influence the political scene in Egypt by empowering women through NGOs, by giving them the knowledge through best practices dissemination and equipping them with the knowledge needed to participate in elections and educating them about their political rights. I believe in the power of civil society that reaches out to people. I will disseminate knowledge through being a leader in the organization that I am going to be appointed in. Democratization should be done by implementing good governance through lessons learned. MEPI Leaders for Democracy fellowship is the best tool for me to acquire knowledge about the issue of democracy so that later on I can implement the lessons learned in my country, to aid it in advancing towards real democracy.

November 13, 2008 | 2:54 AM Comments  0 comments

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