Abstract

This background paper examines how citizenship is being reshaped across the Arab world amid conflict, displacement, migration, economic insecurity, digital transformation, and changing governance systems. It moves beyond citizenship as a formal legal status to explore it as a lived relationship shaped by rights, belonging, participation, access to services, and institutional recognition. The paper highlights key challenges to existing models of citizenship and considers the role of youth, civil society, civic education, digital participation, and governance reform in building more inclusive and responsive approaches. It provides a framework for policymakers, scholars, practitioners, and civil society actors to rethink citizenship and strengthen the institutions and practices through which rights, participation, accountability, and belonging are realized across the Arab region. 

Authors: Dr. Khaldoun AbouAssi, Dr. Tania N. Haddad

Date: September 2026