A first look at Tunisia's new Youth Pact

2008-10-15

Tunisians were given a look last Saturday at the new Youth Pact that will make its official debut on November 7th. The pact incorporates the opinions of young people solicited during the government's Dialogues with Youth.

By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 15/10/08

[www.pactejeunesse.tn] Tunisia's Dialogues with Youth inspired the new Youth Pact, to be released on November 7th.

As Tunisia approaches the end of its Year of Dialogue with Youth, the government has released a new document based on the results of its extensive surveys of the nation's young people.

A draft of the Tunisian Youth Pact, presented on Saturday (October 11th) at the National Youth Forums in Tunis, incorporates the ideas of more than 400,000 young Tunisians and focuses on issues such as employment, identity and participation in political and cultural life.

The definitive document will be unveiled on the twenty-first anniversary of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's taking office on November 7th. Thousands of young men and women aged 18 to 30 will participate.

The president launched open dialogues with Tunisia's youth on March 21st, in commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of independence.

Participants in the National Youth Forum said the open format of the event, staged under the slogan "Tunisia First", boosted their sense of patriotism. Many called it an example of the democracy that exists between the state and youth in Tunisia, acknowledging also a lack of censorship in even the most sensitive subjects.

The pact emphasises the importance of participation in public life and refraining from actions "foreign to Tunisian identity", described as a mixture of Arab, Muslim, African and Mediterranean cultures.

President Ben Ali hopes to boost young people's political participation by reducing the age of eligibility for membership in municipal and parliamentary councils to 23 years and the voting age to 18 years. He also enrolled 62 new members under age 30 in the central committee of the ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally.

The government also calls for setting 30 as the maximum age allowed for participation in youth organisations and suggests a 30% requirement for youth representation in political offices of parties and elected offices.

The pact wants national parties to face present and future challenges by organising regular consultation with youth across Tunisia. Data provided by the National Committee of Youth Dialogue indicate that 8,500 such meetings have already been held, with participation from nearly 400,000 young people.

For five months, Tunisian radio, television and print media have published and broadcast samples of these youth dialogues, both in Tunisia and abroad, to showcase the level of participation.

At the National Youth Forums last week, the Movement of Socialist Democrats reminded Tunisians that the pact itself is not a goal; it is merely the gateway to broader social change.

Youth representatives of the Party of People's Unity called for the creation of a Higher Council for Youth to continue dialogue on issues like higher education and scientific research.

Green Party spokesmen demanded that environmental concerns be incorporated into the main articles of the Youth Pact, to highlight the importance of issues related to global warming, industrial pollution, food and energy prices and the diminishing of natural resources.

Opinions among the roughly 1,000 people in attendance at the Forums were largely optimistic. "I hope the articles of the pact will take shape," said Abd El Hak Ben Aaiid, "instead of remaining on paper."

"I can safely say that it was outspoken and clear. A huge number of youth expressed their disgust concerning issues such as employment, nepotism, and bribery, with no fear of interruption," said Karima Ben Rhoum, who took part in one of the regional dialogues.

She did ask whether the opinions expressed would be taken into consideration. "We will see over the coming months whether the government is serious," she concluded.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi said Tunisia still has a long way to go, particularly on difficult issues like unemployment, rising prices and the global financial crisis. Such challenges, he said, will require extra effort.