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Dr. Munsif Wannas
University of
Tunis
Social Development in the Arab World
Dr. Wannas stressed that the focus
of social development priorities within the context of the Arab
and Islamic World was people-centred and that Islamic culture particularly
stresses the respect and dignity of all human beings.
Dr. Wannas drew attention to the rapid
changes which are affecting the world due to the forces of globalisation,
privatisation and liberalisation of economies, which impact all
societies, including the Arab world.
Such changes, he noted, have led to the
emergence of numerous new social, economic and political challenges
that must be adequately recognised and addressed. It is these challenges
of economic reform and restructuring that face Arab societies and
these require the active participation of all stakeholders including
Civil Society.
Dr. Wannas noted that amongst the
many urgent social issues facing the Arab world today are poverty,
unemployment, poor health, illiteracy and the challenges to the
individual and to society brought about by urbanisation. Also of
particular importance in the struggle for social integration is
discrimination against women. These obstacles have an impact on
the entire society and require urgent action by government and non-governmental
actors alike. Dr. Wannas drew attention to the fact that 60% of
the population in the Arab world is made up of children and youth,
who require specific programmes to address their needs.
These social development problems,
which are found in varying degrees of severity throughout the Arab
world, require national governments to establish unified social
policies and to set priorities with clear policies to support a
comprehensive and sustainable development process. It was important
that the development of future policies and practical social services
are based on the democratic participation of all sectors of the
community.
To achieve such an objective, Dr.
Wannas added that there is a need for democratisation in the development
of policies for social services and their implementation at a local
level. It was important that governments strive to meet agreed targets
and adopt specific legislation and mechanisms to combat poverty.
In order to decrease unemployment, imaginative job creation schemes
should be established with the co-operation of the private sector.
Dr. Wannas drew attention to the need to recognise the importance
of the informal sector and the need to enhance financial resources
available for income generating activities and for microcredit.
Dr. Wannas also stressed the need to provide legislation to deter
discrimination against women. It was also important to ensure that
vulnerable groups receive equitable access to social services.
In order to implement these strategies
and programmes, and to better implement the targets agreed by our
governments in the Copenhagen Summit, collaborative and transparent
mechanisms are required. In particular, co-ordination and partnership
between the public, private and voluntary sectors, especially in
the field of implementation of services, of monitoring and evaluation,
will be essential. It may also be necessary to apply additional
resources to enhance skills and training to enable a wider participation
of sectors of society in this process.
Dr. Munsif
Wannas is presently Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Human
Sciences, Department of Sociology, University of Tunis. Dr. Wannas
has worked as an advisor to the Arab League and the Arab Organisation
for Education, Sciences and Culture.
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