“Democracy is neither black nor red. Democracy is gray, it chooses banality over excellence, shrewdness over nobility, empty promise over true competence… it is eternal imperfection, a mixture of sinfulness, saintliness and monkey business. This is why the seekers of a moral state and of a perfectly just society do not like democracy. Yet only democracy—having the capacity to question itself—also has the capacity to correct its own mistakes.”

Adam Michnik

“Countries need not to wait to be fit for democracy, but rather become fit through democracy”

Amartya Sen

ANND Program in the Area of Democracy and Reforms

Position Statement

The Arab region is at a turning point which presents significant challenges as well as opportunities for the political, economic, social, and cultural future of various countries within the region. Reform is unquestionably necessary, and it cannot be achieved without an active role for civil society organizations as a partner and stakeholder in the change process. ANND’s involvement with democracy issues stems from the belief that there is a strong interlink between achieving sustainable development, strengthening democratic processes, and empowering the role of civil society, which aligns with the United Nations’ vision for linking peace and security, human rights, and development.

Role of civil society organizations in advocacy

ANND strongly believes in the importance of building a healthy and efficient tripartite relationship among civil society organizations, parliaments, and governments, which could lead to a constructive collaboration and potential partnership . This process is vital for developing a strong and coherent understanding of the democratization challenges that are facing the Arab region and initiating effective and efficient means and models to deal with these challenges. Accordingly, ANND invests its efforts towards raising awareness and enhancing capacities of various civil society organizations in its quest of increasing their role beyond service provision into advocacy and lobbying for policy change. ANND also strongly supports the empowerment and improvement of the role of civil society organizations in the monitoring process of democracy building.

Comprehensive approach to reform

ANND perceives that the reform process should be a comprehensive one; political reforms cannot be separated from a process of socio-economic reforms and the latter cannot be separated from a healthy democratic process. In this line of thought, ANND sees an added value in contributing to mainstreaming the monitoring of social and economic national policies through programs of civil society organizations.

Moreover, there is an intrinsic role of culture in the Arab region in influencing various structures, ranging from personal interaction to governance institutions. This leads ANND to look at culture as a significant factor in the reform process and support a democratization process where the Arab citizen enjoys freedom of belief, thought, and expression. Traditions and diversity have to be respected but people can in no way be hampered to develop their capacities and be left in the rigidity of the past. Accordingly, there exists no contradiction between the particularity of the region and the application of principles of democracy based on citizenship and active participation.

ANND recognizes the significance of openness and dialogue between all social and political forces in the reform process and accordingly highlights the necessity of entering into a dialogue with progressive Islamic movements in the region. This engagement should be on the basis of democracy and human rights, and should ensure rights, responsibilities, and equality that would prevent conflicts and divisions in Arab societies. Indeed, the role and impact of Islamic movements in Arab societies has been increasing over time; in order to ensure a healthy and durable democratic reform, progressive Islamic who share a pro-democracy agenda ought to be given a space and voice within the change process. Excluding their participation would be unrealistic and undemocratic by itself, and therefore contradicts one of our core ideas.

ANND partnerships for democracy work

Based on these beliefs, ANND seeks engagement and partnership with initiatives, processes, and organizations that share the same principles in their understanding and work on democratic changes and reforms. Accordingly, ANND is engaged in the process of the International Civil Society Forum on Democracies. The ICSFD process is supported by the United Nations and is becoming increasingly sustainable. ANND aligns its work with this process given the common belief in a tripartite process, spreading democratic values, and empowering civil society organizations.