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Begin New Search Topic Empowerment Political Geography Middle East

1. Empowering Local Authorities to Lead Economic Development in Yemen

Author:
Ali Al-Lakmah and Rafat Al-Akhali
Publication Date:
02-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Sana'a Center For Strategic Studies
Abstract:
This policy brief outlines a set of recommendations aimed at empowering local authorities in Yemen to effectively provide services and lead local economic development. The aim is to analyze and draw lessons from three ongoing tracks that seek to empower local authorities in Yemen, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with these efforts. The analysis concludes that building consensus between the central government and local authorities is of paramount importance for the successful empowerment of local authorities. It is imperative to address political concerns and achieve a minimum level of political consensus in order for these efforts to move forward. Furthermore, it is crucial to overcome challenges related to financing, enhance transparency and accountability, and build local capacity. The Development Champions Forum therefore recommends the importance of establishing clear and precise guiding principles for the distribution of powers and authorities between the center and local authorities. It also emphasizes leveraging the potential of the private sector to drive economic growth, create job opportunities, provide services, and invest in local communities. Lastly, it encourages partnerships between international organizations, donors, and local authorities towards empowering local authorities in providing services and local economic development.
Topic:
Governance, Accountability, Transparency, Economic Development, Private Sector, Empowerment, and Consensus
Political Geography:
Middle East and Yemen

2. Towards Sustainability and Empowerment: Reforming America’s Syrian Refugee Policy

Author:
Sahar Aziz, Joanna Gardner, Tamara Anaie, and Omar Rana
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR), Rutgers University School of Law
Abstract:
The number of refugees and displaced people worldwide has reached unprecedented levels. Of the world’s 68.5 million refugees and displaced people, by far the largest number are Syrian. The nearly 13 million Syrian refugees and internally-displaced persons account for sixty percent of Syria’s pre-war population. While media coverage has focused on Syrian refugees seeking asylum in third countries, such as Europe and the United States, eighty percent of the seven million externally displaced Syrians have sought refuge in the countries neighboring Syria: Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt and Lebanon resulting in an enormous strain on government services and the local economies. As an influential player in Middle East politics, the United States has a national interest in sustaining the capacity of international systems to respond to protracted refugee crises. Toward Empowerment and Sustainability: Reforming America’s Syrian Refugee Policies examines Jordan as a case study for informing U.S. Syrian refugee policy. Jordan’s experience exemplifies the myriad challenges facing neighboring countries that warrant a rethinking of America’s approach to the Syrian refugee crisis. Four recommendations for government policy makers would contribute toward more sustainable and effective U.S. refugee policies: Increase U.S. aid to fund programs that empower refugees to be economically independent in their host countries rather than indefinitely dependent on international aid. Refugees unable to survive off of limited international and domestic subsidies are forced to take their sons out of school to work, borrow money from friends and family, and marry off their daughters at a young age. Use development aid to strengthen both state institutions and the private sector. A promising model is the Jordan Compact, an agreement between the Jordanian government and several European and international non-state actors launched in 2016. Fund humanitarian projects with need-based eligibility criteria not limited solely to Syrian refugees. Increase the number of Syrian refugees admitted into the United States. Less than 100 Syrian refugees were admitted in fiscal year 2018 as compared to 12,000 in 2017.
Topic:
Reform, Refugees, Asylum, Sustainability, and Empowerment
Political Geography:
Middle East and Syria

3. Balancing the Books: Including women and protecting refugees is essential to realizing small business growth in Jordan

Author:
Oxfam Publishing
Publication Date:
12-2017
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
It is essential that opportunities for job growth are supported both for refugees in Jordan and the vulnerable communities hosting them. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) can be a key driver of job growth. Promoting MSMEs could also help to address gender inequality and protection issues for refugees in Jordan. This joint agency paper was written by the LEADERS Consortium of NGOs, which aims to contribute to the economic self-reliance, resilience and stability of Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in Jordan. It presents research conducted among women and men small business owners in central and northern Jordan on the challenges they face. It makes recommendations on how the Government of Jordan, businesses, the financial sector and NGOs can support women, refugees and Jordanian host communities to start and grow small businesses.
Topic:
Gender Issues, Refugee Issues, Inequality, Economic Growth, and Empowerment
Political Geography:
Middle East, Syria, and Jordan

4. Social Accountability in Lebanon: Promoting Dialogue in Humanitarian and Development WASH Programmes

Author:
Oxfam Publishing
Publication Date:
03-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
Oxfam’s work in Lebanon, both on humanitarian WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and more long-term water development programmes, uses social accountability mechanisms to assess community needs, empower citizens and promote dialogue among affected stakeholders. This strategy has helped to unlock some tensions in an effort to provide basic rights and services to vulnerable people. However the situation in many settings remains fragile, and further efforts are needed to promote dialogue and to anchor consultation processes to the water sector dynamics in Lebanon.
Topic:
Infrastructure, Accountability, Humanitarian Crisis, and Empowerment
Political Geography:
Middle East and Lebanon

5. Trash Talk: Turning Waste into Work in Jordan’s Za’atari Refugee Camp

Author:
Soman Moodley
Publication Date:
08-2016
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
Syrian refugees have the capacity to provide key support for service delivery and the expertise to contribute to the expansion of new productive economic sectors. This paper highlights an innovative approach to solid waste management and income generation, and aims to promote further dialogue on the role that Syrians can play in the Jordanian economy.
Topic:
Gender Issues, Refugee Crisis, Displacement, Humanitarian Crisis, Community, and Empowerment
Political Geography:
Middle East, Syria, and Jordan

6. Feasibility Study for a Broader Middle East and North Africa Gender Institute

Author:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Publication Date:
10-2009
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
This report explores the feasibility of creating an institute to work on issues related to gender empowerment in the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA). The mandate of the implementers and authors of this study comes from the Democracy Assistance Dialogue (DAD). DAD was established at the G-8 Sea Island Summit in June of 2004, when G-8 leaders decided to form a joint platform with the leaders of the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA). This joint platform, called the Forum for the Future, is an international effort to endorse voices of reform in the region. The Forum permits partners and other supportive countries and organizations to engage in political, economic and social reform on a regular basis. An outgrowth of the Forum, the Democracy Assistance Dialogue was designed to foster productive dialogue between civil society and governments of BMENA. Integrating the participation of non-governmental actors, political leaders, media representatives and civil society experts, DAD hopes to develop specific reform initiatives on issues related to political reform, democracy and human rights. On a broader level, the DAD’s ultimate aim is to enhance and initiate democracy programs in the region, thereby strengthening the functional capacity of democratic institutions.1
Topic:
Civil Society, Gender Issues, Women, Empowerment, and Feasibility
Political Geography:
Middle East and North Africa