The Role of Civil Society in a New Egypt

The recent historic events unfolding in Egypt have brought new life to political discourse in the country. Moving forward, Egypt’s civil society must create an inclusive and coherent dialogue in order to chart a course for the country’s immediate relief needs as well as long-term socio-economic and political development.

On March 24, Global Economy and Development at Brookings, the International Youth Foundation and Nahdet El Mahrousa, an Egyptian youth-led nongovernmental organization, hosted a discussion on the way forward for Egypt and the role of civil society in supporting the country’s development as it enters this critical new phase. Panelists included Hisham Fahmy of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt; Awais Sufi of the International Youth Foundation; Jackie Kameel of Nahdet El Mahrousa; Amira Maaty of the National Endowment for Democracy; and Shadi Hamid, director of research of the Brookings Doha Center. Brookings Senior Fellow John Page, a former World Bank chief economist for the Middle East and North Africa, moderated the panel discussion.