Today, Arab countries are very advanced in term of fertility transition. From the 2000's, some countries almost reached the replacement level (Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates) and others were getting close to it (Barhein, Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait, Lybia). During this period, the fast fertility decrease in Maghreb bewildered specialists: it lasted less than 25 years, when in France, the same decrease took 200 years. Fertility then was of 4 children in Saoudi Arabia, Jordania, Oman, Syria and wasover 5 children in Irak, Palestine and Sudan. Its highest rate was found in Yemen with 6,8 children in average. Moving towards the 2020's, the Arab fertility, after getting close the level of European Countries, showed discrepencies: in certain countries, the decrease continued below the replacement level (United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar) while in other countries, an increase was observed, reaching 30% in Algeria compared to the 2000 rate. During the last 20 years, Tunisia and Egypt have demonstrateda lesser increase (around 10%) whereas in the Gulf countries, the ferlity continued its decrease (-41% in United Arab Emirates, -36% in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen, -30% in Jordania, Syria and Palestine). In light on these data, we can observe the shaping of drastic changes in the family: the demographic transition lead to new distribution among age groups, to a transformation of the childhood, youth and young adult experience, and tomorrow, seniors' experience. With late or definitive celibacy levels higher than ever, the institution of matrimony has been revolutionized, These changes go together with women's instruction, accelerated urbanisation. In these arab socities, family is now at the centre of these mutations. The global image it reflects is in complete break with the traditional stereotype of a homogeneous, patriarchal, rigid, polygamous society that marries woman at puberty and produces large families. Engagement and demands have risen up (Arab Springs, Hirak) initiated by young citizen suffering from unemployement and the worsening of their living conditions. Relationships between generations on the one hand and women and men on the other hand will unquestionably have to be "negociated" both in terms of cutural turmoil and redesigning of demographic balance. Our project REDEMAR : Interdisciplinary research network on demography in the Arab world aims at studying past and current dynamics, that are now irreversible. In a second step, we will apply for the 2023 MSCA Staff Exchanges call by submitting a project centered around the following topics: family and kinship, mortality, migrations, marriage and celibacy, instruction and urbanisation. The project will adress the sources and their quality, the causes and reasons, the similarities and differencies as well as the consequence on individuals, families and society on the short, mid and long term. The project will allow 20 research from our network based in several countries (Algeria, United Arab Emirates, France, Italie, Morocco, Kuwait, Switzerland and Tunisia), from diverse fields (demography, sociology, anthropology, statistics, geography, etc) to benefit from secondments. The project will include in-training researchers (PhD students and post-docs) as well as experienced researchers to guarantee optimal exchanges. The project will contribute to both adress the current questions regarding the studied region and their futur evolution, and participate in the training of young researchers in population-related issues in their countries by integrating them in an international network that will grant them access to numerous resources and competences.

The ENGAGE Network aims to develop an evidence-based understanding of the role and potential of heritage sites, practices and communities in developing long-term sustainable and inclusive peace across conflict-prone border regions through creative modes of cultural productions, education, tourism, interdependent economy and social justice. Designed around the notion of 'humanitarian heritage' as common endeavour of humanity that is indiscriminate about human race, culture, ethnicity or religion, the Network anticipates developing transferable models and forums of 'humanitarian heritage partnerships' as a long-term reverse mechanism for conflict prevention and counter-terrorism strategy in vulnerable and neglected border regions. It will advance discourse and policy on cultural heritage as a source of economic prosperity,transcending political and cultural barriers. It will investigate strategies to counter cultural conflict rhetoric through inclusive education, heritage-centred growth, rural development and infrastructures of peace. The purpose of ENGAGE Network is to re-contextualise heritage to mobilise discussion regarding its common elements - as meeting places, trading points, sites of shared enjoyment - and as a catalyst for much needed economic and social development and Social Justice. The Network's research programme is designed around five themes: Infrastructures and Models of Regional Partnerships for Inclusive Growth; Sustainable Heritage of Hospitality Across Borders; Creative Art, Craft and Cultural Co-production; Heritage Education for Inclusiveness and Diversity; and Navigating Narratives of Displacement, Slavery and Shared Grievances in Border Conflicts. The ENGAGE Network will work within 2 areas - The Middle East and North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq and Iran) and Southern Asia (including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and India). These regions/countries have been chosen due to sustained and recurring armed, cultural, or ideological conflicts. The Network activities will operate via 5 Regional Partnership Hubs in the designated areas: Tataouine (Tunisia), Baghdad-Erbil (Iraq/ Kurdistan), Umm-Qais (Jordan); Jaffna (Sri Lanka); and the Greater Lumbini Area (Nepal), reaching out to communities in all beneficiary countries through the Network capacity-building funded projects programme. This GCRF Development Award project will take the form of a pilot study to test the ENGAGE Network's research framework and methodology through the development of 3 of the 5 the proposed Regional Research Partnership Hubs - Iraq, Tunisia and Southern Nepal. The project will develop and increase links and knowledge transfer between the ENGAGE Network's international partners, PI and UK and overseas co-investigators. The award will also enable 3 collaborative workshops with stakeholders, research partners and community representatives from the regions. These workshops will explore research methodologies, approaches and challenges to the models of partnership hubs. They will take place in Tataouine (Tunisia), Baghdad-Erbil (Iraq/ Kurdistan), and the Greater Lumbini Area (Nepal). The workshops are designed to operate a number of engagements, meetings and focus group interviews to map local and regional perspectives in the co-design and co-production of the ENGAGE Network's research agenda, methodology and delivery plan. This Development Award will enable and facilitate collaborative research with partners and stakeholders in the global south to investigate strategies to counter cultural conflict rhetoric through inclusive education, heritage-centred growth, rural development and infrastructures of peace. The multi-disciplinary team includes specialists from politics, social sciences, human rights, heritage, tourism, archaeology, architecture, economics, museums and education.