Search

The establishment of Arab-Arab alliances at present, and with the circumstances that Arab countries are going through, including economic crises and a state of political instability, not to mention security risks and threats, has become an urgent necessity. Hence, the idea of the "new Levant alliance" between the three countries (Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt), which is important regionally and Arabian, to promote partnership relations and concepts of joint defense, economic integration, and structural stability in the light of balanced cooperative/reciprocal relations among them. And by an approach that is supposed to serve the present and benefit in developing the future to achieve the goals and objectives of these strategic countries . This paper focused on five axes, looking at the features of this alliance and the challenges it will face, in addition to the role of the external factor (international and regional), which varied between supportive or afraid of it. depending on the chronology of the formation of the blocs between the three countries, and the nature of the relations that governed them, leading to the "New Levant Alliance", which can reorganize the relationship between its parties to be able to modify the rules of international and regional relations and policies in the Arab region in particular, and the Middle East in general, in a manner that serves its higher interests and major issues. The paper concluded that Arab-Arab alliances remain a vital issue that has its positives for the Arab people. They are established on correct, logical, and studied foundations to ensure their sustainability. There should be a study and evaluation of these alliances to alert them to the potential risks that they may face. The paper also stressed the need for the three countries to alert the alliance's expansion to include other Arab countries that would strengthen it to achieve continuity. These projects should be linked to the Arab interest and stay away from attaining foreign agendas. Most importantly, the coalition countries should reduce their ties to the United States as the main supporter and ensure independence in making decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Arts-based programming increases marginalized youth's participation in community. • Arts-based participatory action research (PAR) led by migrant youth helps build hope and vision for the future. • The arts helps youth to express themselves, build confidence and engage with family and community. • Participatory approaches helps youth to create inclusive communities and increased social cohesion. • Arts-based PAR is effective in strengthening marginalized youth's wellbeing and particiaption. Engagement in creative art activities has shown to enhance youth's psychosocial wellbeing and increase their participation in contexts of adversity. This paper explores the ways that YouCreate, a youth-led arts-based Participatory Action Research (PAR) pilot project designed by the International Institute for Child Rights and Development and Terre des hommes, provides a space for youth who have experienced migration and adversity to enhance their experience of meaningful participation. 950 youth in Egypt and Iraq were involved in youth-led psychosocial arts and community change projects. The research revealed that at a personal level, youth gained a sense of purpose and hope that supported them to envision a future, as well as developed artistic skills, life skills and a sense of self-discovery. Youth found new ways to express themselves, and the confidence to engage with their peers and fellow community members. Youth gained social respect from members of their family, community and from their peers, and social cohesion increased as they learned how to create communities inclusive of gender and ethnicity. Logistical, procedural and ethical challenges arose through the pilot which were navigated throughout YouCreate that led to important learning. This research revealed the power that an arts-based PAR method can have on strengthening youth's wellbeing and enhancing their capacity and opportunities to engage in wider society, including in decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]