The mass movements of 2011 saw the crumbling of “politics as usual” and the emergence of a new youth political generation, marked by new discourses of justice, equality, and citizenship, alternative practices of political participation and civic engagement, and distinct ideas and understandings of how meaningful change can and should occur. Despite setbacks, this political generation has not disappeared; rather, it has manifested itself in myriad instances of collective action, all of which continue to strive for radical change and transformed relationships between citizens and vis-à-vis the State. We firmly believe that this youth must be supported and equipped with a variety of tools and opportunities to shape the collective conscience and see their agendas transformed into measurable and sustained changes.
Through our research and action programs, ARI work to empower youth activists through strengthening their modes of engagement and creating opportunities for direct political participation, so that their vision will have a greater ability to achieve change. Likewise, by building knowledge on good and contextually-meaningful pathways for youth in politics, we contribute to better designed policies and programming that contribute to effective political participation by youth.
The program Youth as Political Actors includes four streams of work:
- Research into youth political and civic engagement in the post-2011 and a reconceptualization of what constitutes “youth politics.” This includes research into how youth are currently entering the formal political sphere, including the vectors of participation and the impact of inclusion, and how they are trying to carve out political participation for themselves outside of the traditional political sector, including the variety of forms of social movements, mobilization, and activism.
- Research into youth political socialization and democratic learning. This includes evaluating their values, behaviors, grievances, priorities, and visions for the reconstruction of their polities and societies, and working alongside youth and key stakeholders to ensure that these are addressed in political processes.
- Research into international and national policy frameworks that seek to incorporate youth in decision-making through top-down vectors, and the opportunities and challenges these pose. This includes UNSCR 2250 “Youth, Peace, and Security” paradigm as well as youth quota schemes and other constituted bodies. The research critically assesses the effectiveness of these frameworks in order to provide recommendations for more meaningful youth inclusion that avoids cooptation and youth-washing.
- Engaged scholarship and mentorship of emerging scholars to accompany them into the policy space. This includes deploying a variety of Action-Research methodologies designed for the purpose of achieving social and political change, providing avenues for youth to contribute to policy discussions and the public debate, and assisting youth in advocating for their own policy priorities.
Publications

From Tangential Livelihood Programming to Integrated Social Protection: Conceiving a Long-Term Approach to Youth Economic and Social Policy in Iraq

Why Morocco’s Youth Employment Policies Continue to Fail

Youth and the Future of Libya

Perceptions and Trajectories of Youth in Baghdad, Al-Basra, and Mosul after the 2014 Conflict with ISIS

Iraqi Youth in Flux: Survey of their Perceptions and Trajectories after the 2014 Conflict with ISIS

Youth participation in Tunisia’s elections: Some possible solutions

Iraqi youth in contexts of conflict: Fragmentation, divergent strategies, and the impossibility of inclusion

Youth perceptions of politics in the post-2011 Tunisia: Giving the floor to millennials and Gen Z

Youth political participation in post-2011 Tunisia: Exploring the impact of the youth quota system through the prism of local municipal councillors

Youth perceptions of gender equality in Tunisia

National ambition, divergent vision: Consensus and fracture among Iraqi youth activists of the Tishreen Movement

Libya: Youth transition to adulthood amid the conflict

Libyan youth in limbo: Coming of age in conflict

Tunisia: Youth take a stand for/against the president’s decisions and watch in limbo

From inside and outside: Palestinian youth reshaping old electoral systems

Youth, peace, and security in Iraq: Creating new spaces for youth activist voices and engagement

Youth, peace, and security in Iraq: Operationalizing youth peacebuilding priorities in practice

Assessing What Meaningful Syrian Youth Inclusion in Peacebuilding Looks Like in Practice: Policy Dialogue Report

Libyan Civil Society and Youth Programming: Promoting Economic, Political, and Social Integration - Policy Dialogue Report

Lebanon’s Student Movement: A New Political Player?

Has Tunisia’s Democracy Failed to Convince its Youth? The Slow-Going of Democratic Socialization

Youth Employment and Livelihood in Syria: Assessing the Impact of Conflict and Preparing for Recovery

Tunisian Youth and Political Life: From Stagnation to Revival?
Videos
Events
Projects

Arab Youth as Political Actors
Arab Youth as Political Actors

Promoting Youth Participation in Democratic Consolidation in Tunisia
Promoting Youth Participation in Democratic Consolidation in Tunisia
