14th CTTC: “Caring for the Poor? – Redistribution and social protection in Egypt and the Middle East”
With Dr. Markus Loewe (German Development Institute) & Dr. Mohamed Fahmy Menza (American University in Cairo)
The call for social justice was one of the chief demands of the January 25 uprising. In Egypt and in many other countries of the Middle East and North Africa an important part of the state budget is spent for education, health care and social services. However, the welfare system often does not benefit the indigent population, but rather the wealthier urban middle class. Is there a chance to reform this system and to reach out for a new social contract in the current political environment? The 14th CTTC discusses the political and economic background of social policies in Egypt and the MENA region. It identifies the instruments and redistribution effects of the current system and explores the possibilities to embark on a path of comprehensive equitable development.
Dr. Markus Loewe is a Senior Researcher and the Coordinator for Research on MENA countries at the German Development Institute (DIE) in Bonn. In his research he focuses on pro-poor growth, development cooperation, industrial policy and the investment climate in Egypt and the Middle East.
Dr. Mohamed Fahmy Menza is Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology at the American University in Cairo. He teaches Development Studies at AUC and AMIDEAST His research focuses on state/society relations, informal and patronage politics and the political economy of development.
The debate will be chaired by Dr. Florian Kohstall, head of Freie Universität Berlin Cairo Office.
