Tag Archives: femise

FEMISE MED BRIEF no8 : Women in the MENA labour market. Can collaborative economy be of help?

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The FEMISE Policy Brief series MED BRIEF aspires to provide Forward Thinking for the EuroMediterranean region. The briefs contain succinct, policy-oriented analysis of relevant EuroMed issues, presenting the views of FEMISE researchers and collaborators to policy-makers.

The eighth issue of MED BRIEF “Boosting female labour market participation rates in the MENA region : Can collaborative economy be of help? ”is available by clicking here.

Dr. Katarzyna Sidło, CASE (Center for Social and Economic Research), FEMISE

This policy brief evaluates the potential of collaborative economy for increasing labour force participation of women in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Specifically, it examines the ways in which the collaborative economy can enable joining labour market to those women who wish to do it, but for various practical (lack of jobs, difficult commutes), societal (restrictions on outside-of-the-house activities), or family (caring responsibilities) reasons had been unable to do so.

 

Also available in Arabic here.

The list of FEMISE MED BRIEFS is available here.

The policy brief has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union within the context of the FEMISE program. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.

Workshop on “Climate Change in the Mediterranean and Economic Attractiveness of local Territories”

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UPDATE: View the summary of the event below:

The Mediterranean is one of our planets’ “hotspots” and the consequences of climate change will always be felt stronger than elsewhere. There are necessities for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and issues to be dealt with regarding water, desertification and adaptation needs of riparian countries. In addition to the necessary impetus at the state level, the measures that will respond to realities must also be declined at the level of territories to multiply means of action.

The workshop, organized by Institut de la Méditerranée and the Departmental Council of the Bouches du Rhône, in partnership with FEMISE and ENERGIES2050, addresses the actors for whom these issues have a resonance, the political actors of the territory as well as non-state actors (private operators, civil society organizations, universities …). While considering the recent and current economic situation, this workshop highlights the development opportunities to be seized. It illustrates the momentum created by local actors and makes a positive contribution to debates on climate issues in the Mediterranean in the light of current realities and challenges.

This workshop will also be an opportunity to present the ENERGIES2050 – Mediterranean Institute – FEMISE report on:

 “The challenges of climate change in the Mediterranean (2018)” (available here in french)

 

– The Concept Note of the Workshop is available here (in french).

– The program of the day is available here.

IM and FEMISE are participating with funding under the EU-FEMISE project “Support to Economic Research, Studies and Dialogues of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership”. The opinions expressed in this conference are the sole responsibility of the authors.

Med Change Makers e01 : JULIE HARB, Climate Change and the Lebanese Economy

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FEMISE is happy to announce the launch of its new series of interviews called « Med Change Makers ».

« Med Change Makers » are text and video-based interviews that allow dynamic FEMISE researchers to illustrate how their research addresses a policy-relevant question and contributes to the policy-making process in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

 

 

Climate Change and the Lebanese Economy

Interview with JULIE HARB, Université St Joseph (Liban), Institut de la Méditerranée et FEMISE

Julie Harb (Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Institut de la Méditerranée, FEMISE)

The latest edition of the ENERGIES2050 / Institut de la Méditerranée / FEMISE report “The challenges of climate change in the Mediterranean” (available in May) provides insight into the specific place of the Mediterranean basin in the new International Climate Agenda.

Julie Harb (Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Policy Researcher at Institut de la Méditerranée / FEMISE) is one of the young researchers who contributed to the report. Julie Harb stresses the need for more public efforts for environmental protection and the need for a change in attitudes towards climate change.

1) With the Paris Agreement, countries committed themselves through NDCs (nationally determined contributions). All countries in the southern Mediterranean, with the exception of Lebanon, have ratified the Paris Agreement. How can this be explained?

Unfortunately, in its political agenda, Lebanon does not give a high priority to the issue of climate change and to the protection of the environment although the country begins to feel the effects of climate change. Other issues, such as the parliamentary elections, are perceived as more important. For example, ratifying the Paris Agreement would impose on Lebanon the application of the provisions of the treaty, which would influence public policies and protection mechanisms. As the authorities do not see this as a priority, the agreement is perceived as a “burden” in terms of legislation but also in terms of spending. Similarly, at the executive level, there are some initiatives such as the creation of a National Environmental Council that includes 7 ministries and 7 non-public entities that are expected to prepare plans and policies, to support, to integrate and to monitor all the policies of the ministry and all conventions and treaties. A National Coordination Unit on Climate Change (UCCC) has been set up to coordinate a total of 40 representatives who deal directly or indirectly with climate change.

2) What forces and efforts are underway for the protection of the environment and to limit the impact of climate change in Lebanon? What sectoral examples to put forward?

It should be noted that the State has made some efforts in the past in the protection of the environment through certain legislations: this is the case for example with the law no. 444/2002 which presents the only major legislation dealing directly with climate change in Lebanon or the law 341/2001 on the reduction of air pollution by transport which indirectly mentions the protection of the environment.

On the sectoral level, a renewable energy project was set up to supply 20 MW of solar energy and should have been finalized in 2016. However, to date, this photovoltaic farm supplies only 1 MW. The Ministry of Energy and Water has issued several laws concerning this sector but unfortunately no implementation decree has been added to the text.

3) What are the main weaknesses to combat the effects of climate change in Lebanon?

Despite a large number of decisions, laws and initiatives, there are still problems with the slowness of the process that will address this issue. The presence of multitudes of organisms responsible for the protection of the environment could be the cause of this slowness. The lack of coordination increases the weight of bureaucracy and leads to fragmentation of the issue. Nevertheless, I personally find that the essence of the problem lies in the lack of willingness of officials and authorities to address this issue.

4) Do NGOs and civil society contribute to change attitudes?

In recent years, NGOs and civil society have played a very important role in raising the awareness of the Lebanese people on the issue of environmental protection while creating a culture of sustainable development, but also by changing mentalities, encouraging recycling from schools and educational institutions. However, despite the great work done by these organizations at the level of the society, the latter can not sufficiently influence public policies and political decisions. More advocacy work would be needed.

5) What do you think are the priority actions to address and how?

The resolution of the waste issue, which started in 2015 and has not been able to be resolved effectively to date, should be put in first place in the environmental protection agenda by the authorities. As a Lebanese citizen, I find that this resolution requires a precise long-term plan prepared upstream, which is not the case today. A second priority would be that of cleaning the sea: indeed, in the face of the waste crisis, the state has decided to create waste zones next to the sea, which means that during storms, this waste has been dispersed in the sea, affecting the marine ecosystem and the quality of life of the populations.

In addition, Lebanese NGOs that lack support should establish more partnerships with international organizations acting on climate change that could adapt their solutions locally and increase the resilience of the Lebanese economy.

 

Interviewed by Constantin Tsakas

 

 

FEMISE MED BRIEF no7 : The Effects of Syrian Refugees on the Labor Markets of Host Countries

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The FEMISE Policy Brief series MED BRIEF aspires to provide Forward Thinking for the EuroMediterranean region. The briefs contain succinct, policy-oriented analysis of relevant EuroMed issues, presenting the views of FEMISE researchers and collaborators to policy-makers. 

The seventh issue of MED BRIEF “The Effects of Syrian Refugees on the Labor Markets of Host Middle Eastern and European Countries” is available by clicking here.

Dr. Roby Nathanson, MACRO Center, Israel

Since 2011, over 5.3 million refugees made their way from Syria to hosting Middle Eastern end European countries. Middle Eastern countries that absorbed the majority of refugees are Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. In Europe, Germany and Sweden absorbed the largest number of Syrian refugees. This large number of refugees brought the question of their impact on wage growth and unemployment rates to the center of political discourse. This Brief examines this impact.

Dr. Khalid Sekkat, Univ. de Bruxelles, Belgium

It has been found that except for Jordan, the refugees had no impact on the growth in wages and in none of the examined countries the refugees had any impact on unemployment rates. Therefore, it is recommended, among other things, to remove refugee-specific barriers, especially in sectors that experience shortage of workers. It is also recommended to provide training for refugees to match their skills and to use this ‘feared competition’ to upgrade the skills of the national employees. It will also be important to raise public awareness on the contributions of these refugees to the national markets.

 

 

The list of FEMISE MED BRIEFS is available here.

The policy brief has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union within the context of the FEMISE program. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.

In memory of Pr. Ahmed Driouchi

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It is with deepest regret that FEMISE has to announce to its members and colleagues the departure of one its active and founding members: Prof. Ahmed Driouchi, passed away on the 2nd of May 2018.

Prof. Driouchi was the Professor of Economics, Advisor to the President & Dean of The Institute of Economic Analysis & Prospective Studies (IEAPS) at Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco

Since 1995 he joined Al-Akhawan University and became the founder and Dean of the School of Business Administration. Then in 2005 he became the Dean of the Institute Of Economic Analysis & Prospective Studies (IEAPS) at the University.

Prof. Driouchi held a PhD in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, USA since 1988, as well as a “Doctorate –ès- Sciences” in Economics from the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Morocco in 1987.

He is the author of hundreds of publications, including articles in refereed journals, chapters in books and books. He was a leading MENA economist on the issues of innovation and the knowledge base economy and their role in development of the MENA region. His work focused on education, youth, health, and poverty. His geographical area of research covers the Arab, MENA and the Mediterranean economies, with their relation to Europe.

He has written many books about Labour and Health Economics, ICT for Health, education and Socieconomic policies, migration, ..etc. He contributed to the FEMISE research with many research studies and was an active participants in almost all its conferences.

Prof. Driouchi had a genuine belief and optimism about the future of the Mediterranean region and was always enthusiastic, professional and persuasive in delivering his views.

Femise lost a valuable member and a dear friend.  Our thoughts are with his family and close ones.

You can send your condolences to contact@femsie.org. They will be published on the website and sent to his family and colleagues.

The FEMISE Staff and Members

Call for papers : GDRI 838 – International Development Economics (IDE)

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Recent decades have witnessed renewed interest in development economics. The International Development Economics (IDE) network brings together European researchers and institutions among the most influential on the theme. The GDRI benefits from partial funding from the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). Network activities cover all aspects of development economics, both macro and micro. We invite all the researchers who are interested to join us by submitting a research proposal.

Two keynote speakers are programmed for this event.

Rabah Arezki, Chief economist at The World Bank for Middle East and Northern African Countries (MENA) will provide a conference on the theme: A new economy for Middle East and North Africa countries;

Frédéric Docquier, Professor of Economics at the University of Louvain, member of IRES, on a subject to be defined, but in relation with international migrations.

The GDRI-IDE Symposium will be held at the Center for Studies and Research on International Development (CERDI).

Clermont-Ferrand, 15 and 16 November 2018.

Proposals will be examined by the GDRI’s scientific committee. Interested researchers should submit a two-page abstract by 15 June 2018, and a full paper by 15 September 2018 on the conference website: https://gdriide2018.sciencesconf.org

Contact: gdri-ide.cerdi@udamail.fr

Complexification of production as a vector of economic transition and the role of short-term policies

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FEMISE is pleased to announce the publication of its research project FEM42-07, “The complexification of productive systems as a vector of economic transition in the MENA and the role of short-term policies”, coordinated by Pr. Nicolas Peridy (LEAD , University of Toulon).

Our work shows that the economic complexity of a country can be affected by the performance of its neighbors and then influenced by its own geographical position. However, this process may mask regional phenomena of divergence that must be related to the roles played by national and / or regional public policies, as well as the economic, structural and demographic dynamics (GDP / capita, education, innovation, natural resources, urbanization, …).

The main recommendations are :

  • Support the development of new and highly sophisticated products beginning with providing incentives to produce these new products, and targeting activities that have training effects. In particular, Tunisia and the UAE should develop complex products such as machinery, chemical and electrical industrial clusters
  • Quickly implement training adapted to technological changes
  1. Develop part-time training courses in technical, technological, industrial and service sectors in innovative and high value-added sectors
  2. Develop continuing education in these same sectors
  3. Open corporate training in the acquisition of specific skills in these areas (including WTO training on the role of international trade as a vector of technological sophistication)
  • Reform higher and vocational education
  1. Reinforce the adequacy of training in relation to new professions
  2. Develop partnerships with European, Asian or American universities
  3. Develop public / private partnerships
  4. Use the system of professionalized relocated diplomas
  • Develop innovative sectors (support for certain start-ups, FDI, development of free zones or technological business zones), particularly through a tax incentive policy
  • Improve economic freedom, in particular through administrative simplification laws. This will contribute to the improvement of the business environment related to a labor market reform aimed at making it more flexible, transparent and competitive (labor law)
  • Improve logistics performance with appropriate investments but above all appropriate reforms (commercial facilitation in ports, reduction and simplification of administrative procedures, improvement of the effectiveness of customs controls, automation of procedures, effective fight against corruption, etc.)
  • Improve governance, in particular to fight corruption effectively and promote transparency.
  • Reform taxation to make it simpler, more efficient and more incentive
  • Use sound macroeconomic policies, in particular to reduce the economic vulnerability of MENA countries (sustainable fiscal and fiscal policies, debt management, controlled monetary policies)
  • Improve the management of natural resources (gas, oil, etc.):
  1. use the benefits of natural resources to diversify and sophisticate the economy
  2. develop industrial zones based on comparative advantage in natural resources
  3. provide SME financing facilities and building the capacity of local businesses to accelerate structural transformation
  4. continued improvement of macroeconomic policies to effectively manage the risks associated with Dutch disease and the volatility of revenues from natural resources
  5. create a favorable environment for private investment.

These recommendations can be initiated and implemented quickly by public authorities which must send a strong signal to the economic actors in order to accelerate this process of sophistication of the Mediterranean economies, with the aim of promoting growth and employment, particularly qualified.

 

Ndiouga Sakho: “We must experiment within the territories, with the local actors”

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Interviewed during the annual conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Forum of Economic Institutes (Femise-Malta, 7 to 9 February 2018) Ndiouga Sakho, President of the Commission for Urban Development and Sustainable Development of the City of Dakar, discusses the actions of the Territorial Energy Climate Plan implemented in the capital of Senegal thanks to European and Mediterranean partnerships.

Ndiouga Sakho insiste sur la nécessité d'une coopération ville à ville (photo : F.Dubessy)

Ndiouga Sakho insists on the need for city-to-city cooperation (photo: F.Dubessy)

econostrum.info: How does the city of Dakar deal with the issues of sustainable development?

Ndiouga Sakho: For a few years now, the city has been engaged in the fight against climate change. Our capital is home to 80% of the country’s industrial activities in 3% of the country’s size.
We have begun to make a diagnostic of the vulnerability of the city, the environment, the social sector, the economy, and so on. Starting from 2013, we have put together an action and environmental management plan. This enabled us to mobilize €1M on a Territorial Energy Climate Plan financed by the European Union over three years, with a global vision around three points: an adaptation and mitigation strategy, a platform of the actors to cooperate and share lessons and failures, and finally, energy efficiency projects to strengthen the share of renewable energy in public lighting, for example, as in municipal infrastructure, and energy savings. Dakar, along with ten other cities benefiting from this plan, is a laboratory test in Africa with a goal of replicating our experience.
I insist on the city-to-city cooperation and the major role of the territories with the local actors, which are in the same time, the places of emissions as well as of the solutions. This is where we have to experiment.

On what points Dakar can serve as an example?
N.S. : The city has a lot of experience in the field of urban mobility, for example, a system of remote control of all traffic lights to regulate car traffic in case of pollution peaks, paving and street improvement to encourage people to walk or cycle instead of using their vehicles. We are also developing public transportation with the BRT, a fast transport bus, and a TER. As well as the relocation of administrative services to be able to limit the concentration of activities in the city center.

Vegetable gardens in urban and school environments

La ville de Dakar fait la promotion des comportements eco-citoyens (photo : F.Dubessy)

The city of Dakar promotes eco-citizen behavior (photo: F.Dubessy)

What actions have you taken with the population?
N.S.: We have raised awareness of environmental culture in schools and with the promotion of eco-citizen behavior, but also by developing eco-neighborhoods. One of our projects is based on the installation of vegetable gardens in urban and school environments with training and capacity building activities that we have initiated. We are doing all this through a technical partnership with FAO (Editor’s note: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) in Milan, where we have also been able to find partners within a city university. We have shared this experience with other neighboring countries.

Are you also trying to adapt solutions from Mediterranean countries?
N.S.: Our partnerships in the Mediterranean are unfortunately not very well developed. But, we did several missions in Paris to study the implementation of their climatic plan. Similarly, with the city of Marseille, we have developed our master plan for beach development. The city of Marseille has helped us install pilot projects for our eight beaches.

Interviewed by Frédéric Dubessy, in LA VALETTE (MALTA)

 

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Zakaria Fahim: “We must make the Africas communicate”

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Questioned during the annual conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Forum of Economic Institutes (Femise-Malta, 7 to 9 February 2018), Zakaria Fahim, President of Hub Africa (next edition 2 & 3 May 2018), wants to match Euro-Mediterranean funding with ideas of African start-ups.

Intervention de Zakaria Fahim lors de la conférence annuelle du Femise à Malte (photo : F.Dubessy)

Zakaria Fahim in Malta Femise annual conference (photo : F.Dubessy)

econostrum.info: How do you see the future of relations between the EuroMed and Africa?

Zakaria Fahim: The most important thing to do is think in a twofold approach: What to do right now while also thinking about the prospects in the next twenty to thirty years. Africa in 2050 will have 2.5 billion inhabitants versus 450 million in Europe.

When you have a neighbor where 40% of the population is under the age of 15, it is either an opportunity or a time bomb. Geography being stubborn, it becomes very important to be aware of the opportunities that exist in Africa. During my road show, I meet a lot of start-ups. It is possible to connect these two worlds: one that has more mature markets and financing and one where disruptive ideas effervesce.

Morocco has already begun this movement. Does Africa really need Europe to develop?

Z.F. : You have to be modest. Today, intra-African trade accounts for 15% of total trade. Morocco will never be able to do anything alone because the stakes are such that, put in perspective with the situation on the continent, we are far from having succeeded. In the list of countries that work the most with Africa one notes the United States, China and then France. Often, its bigger partners work with visions that are so “global” that they can not understand what is happening in Africa. Meanwhile, Europe cannot show lack of concern as to what is happening twelve kilometers from its borders … A beautiful door opens before us. It is up to us to use this paradigm shift, to remain important actors in Africa but acting together. And to do this, we must know how to give time to those who want to move forward and not the other way around. Entrepreneurs often forget that they are farmers more than hunters. I’m growing and I’m waiting for the end of the season to harvest. It is not about shooting and dropping the game. This vision is finished!

“It’s not my neighbor, it’s me”

The President of Hub Africa want it "to be natural for our children to think about Africa as their natural space" (photo : F.Dubessy)

The President of Hub Africa want it “to be natural for our children to think about Africa as their natural space” (photo : F.Dubessy)

How to facilitate this?

Z.F. : We have every interest in making Africas communicate. I am administrator of the ENCG Casablanca (note: National School of Commerce and Management), we will for the first time sign agreements with universities in sub-Saharan Africa. This has never been done before. We received sub-Saharans as part of intergovvernmental agreements in the past but were never curious about their abilities even though they represent a real opportunity.

I want it to be natural for our children to think about Africa as their natural space. It’s not my neighbor, it’s me. This appropriation is missing today.
It is not possible to be in a common area where some eat caviar and others only eat every other meal. One day or another, they come to see what is happening at home. The common sense is to say: what interest do I have today for these people to feel good? and how can I preserve my future?

Short FEMISE VIDEO BRIEF of Zakaria Fahim available here

Frédéric Dubessy

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FEMISE MED BRIEF no5 : Egypt and the WTO Government Procurement Agreement

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FEMISE is launching its new Policy Brief series MED BRIEF aspiring to provide Forward Thinking for the EuroMediterranean region. The briefs contain succinct, policy-oriented analysis of relevant EuroMed issues, presenting the views of FEMISE researchers and collaborators to policy-makers. 

The fifth issue of MED BRIEF “ Should Egypt join the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)?” is available here.

Ahmed Farouk Ghoneim (Professeur d'économie, Faculté des sciences économiques et politiques, Université du Caire, FEMISE)

Ahmed Ghoneim (Faculty of Economics & Political Science, Cairo University, FEMISE)

It is also available in Arabic here.

“This Policy Brief, by Ahmed Farouk Ghoneim (Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics & Political Science, Cairo University), tries to answer the critical question of whether Egypt should join the WTO GPA? The debates on theoretical and policy levels have not reached a clear cut answer regarding the pros and cons of a developing country joining such an agreement. Yet, we try in this policy brief to clarify some of the misconceptions associated with the joining of such agreement, and identify what are the steps needed for membership to be fruitful”

The list of FEMISE MED BRIEFS is available here.

 

The policy brief has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union within the context of the FEMISE program. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.