Abstract

There is general consensus among scholars that the family is central to politics, economics, social organization and the arts in the Arab world. It follows that any effort aimed at peacemaking, reconstruction, democratization and nation-building requires an understanding of the Arab family. Yet relatively little scientifically sound empirical research has been carried out on the subject. The Arab Families Working Group (AFWG) is a group of scholars, policymakers, and planners working together to conduct empirical research on the culture, organization and dynamics of Arab families as they intersect with critical social, economic, political and artistic issues and processes. AFWG is organized as a Core Group of 40 members, each of whom works within one of three research project groups: Arab Families and Public Discourse; Arab Families in Search of Well Being; and Arab Families and Diasporas, Emigration, Immigration and War. The Core Group is meeting in Cairo over 3 days in the Spring of 2002 to develop the theoretical and methodological framework to bring together the work of the three research project groups. This grant will cover costs associated with the workshop and production of reports, as well as the participation of Core Group members from Palestine, Lebanon and the United States. Expected outcomes include a report of the meeting detailing progress towards the development of the three research projects and the overarching framework of the AFWG initiative; and a plan of action for the development of a collaborative research proposal to be submitted to donors for funding.

Recipient Institution(s)