The 2016 International Expert Workshop for ‘Employability in Agriculture, Renewable Energies and IT in Tunisia’, held by the Maghreb Economic Forum (Tunis, 27-30/07/2016), was a three days discussion among high-level experts from Tunisia and around the world. (See list of participants and bios of the experts). The workshop was the final component in a series of four workshops held by the MEF on the same subject throughout the year, in three regions of the country: Tunis, Gafsa and Tataouine. The workshop focused on the role of multilateral organizations, foreign foundations and international experts in providing guidance throughout Tunisia’s socio-economic transition towards inclusive growth. In order to prevent this long-term process from failing, we must identify the major obstacles standing in the way of large- scale job creation programs and identify new opportunities and innovative solutions.
The key questions raised at the workshop were:
How can the state better identify emerging trends and assess the needs of local communities?
Which structural reforms are needed and which legislative policies are to be drafted by the parliament to tackle the issue of illegal employment in the informal sector and improve informal worker access to
decent work and government protections?
How can executive power close the gap between policies and implementation?
How can leaders from civil society organizations, the media and the private sector exert pressure on
ruling elites to revisit the education system and increase labor market efficiency?
How can the state create an enabling and secure environment to boost employment, promote a
favorable investment climate, improve conditions for start-up founders and enhance trade?
Which best practices and innovative value-added solutions from abroad can be adapted to the
Tunisian context?
Agriculture: working toward a new political paradigm in Tunisia
Jobs for Tunisia?is a project developed by the Maghreb Economic Forum with the aim of exploring opportunities for job creation in three strategic sectors: Agriculture, Information Technology and Renewable Energies. At the
core of the project are a series of workshops and round-tables held in different
regions of Tunisia and through which experts have developed key policy recommendations.
Making Tunisia the 'SiliconValley' of the Maghreb.
Youth unemployment remains a major challenge of the Tunisian economy. Lack of access to decent jobs represents a major difficulty particularly for Tunisian graduates. In order to foster socio-economic development as well as creating sustainable job creation it is necessary to strengthen the private sector and facilitate the creation of new enterprises. However, starting a business requires as much financial and managerial knowledge as it doestechnologicalandmarket expertise.While many Tunisians have technical skills, they lack entrepreneurial skills. In order to address these challenges this policy briefs suggests investing in the creation of innovation laboratories and co-working spaces as well as designing a new legal framework that can facilitate entrepreneurial procedures.
The Maghreb region stands at a strategic crossroad today. It can embark on a path of reform and prosperity by transforming its rich natural endowment and human capital into inclusive economic growth. Moreover, the region’s geo-strategic situation positions it at a key junction of global trade. In order to contribute to the existing efforts towards the utilization of these potentials for growth in the region, the study at hand thus aims to give concrete recommendations on structural reforms to stimulate potentials for economic growth and inclusive development.
Authors: Hedi Larbi and Lars Christensen
AmCham annual report 2012-2013
AmCham Tunisia has gained visibility in the MENA region since it took over the AmCham MENA Council Chairmanship in July 2011. In this capacity, AmCham Tunisia has been invited either to co-organize or actively participate in all regional meetings, the most important ones being: the US Secretary’s Global Business Conference (Washington, DC. February 21-22, 2012), the 9th edition of the G8 BMENA Forum for the Future (Tunis, 11-13 December, 2012), the 2013 Harvard Arab Alumni Association Conference under the theme “The Arab World: From Revolution to Transformation” (Tunis, 21 March, 2013), and the Conference “MENA Investment and Entrepreneurship: Change Brings Opportunity » (Washington, D.C., 11 October, 2013).
IPAR-IDRC Regional Conference on Youth Employment, Kigali, Rwanda, Lemigo Hot...reachcreatives
Institute and Policy analysis and research- Rwanda (IPAR’s) - IDRC REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
“Innovations that work for youth employment: Voices from the youth”
24 & 25 October 2014
LEMIGO Hotel, Kigali -Rwanda
Follow conversation on Twitter #YouthEmploymentEA
The focus of this Issue Brief is to explore to what extent youth volunteerism
contributes to the economic empowerment of young people in Asia and the
Pacific, due to the skills which may have been developed during volunteering.
The Brief is a result of a desk study on volunteering and youth unemployment and
underemployment throughout the region, accompanied by a number of interviews
with current and former volunteers.
The Issue Brief first breaks down the challenges of youth unemployment,
underemployment and informality in Asia and Pacific, as well as rapidly changing
skill requirements, which are barriers for young people entering the labor market.
The Brief moves on to discuss the various forms of volunteering in the region, as well
as the skills volunteers may develop during volunteering. The last section explores
which of those skills are relevant to employability and labor market access for young
people and discovers the benefits of volunteering for youth entrepreneurship.
A number of recommendations are made on employability including but not limited
to the importance of skill needs anticipation and skills development relevant for
labor market access and entrepreneurship, followed by recommendations for
volunteer serving organizations and volunteers themselves. These include, for
example, to design volunteer programmes to empower women and expose them to
new work environments and for volunteers to volunteer more strategically to expand
social capital and networks, which are crucial for finding employment in markets
dominated by informality
Agriculture: working toward a new political paradigm in Tunisia
Jobs for Tunisia?is a project developed by the Maghreb Economic Forum with the aim of exploring opportunities for job creation in three strategic sectors: Agriculture, Information Technology and Renewable Energies. At the
core of the project are a series of workshops and round-tables held in different
regions of Tunisia and through which experts have developed key policy recommendations.
Making Tunisia the 'SiliconValley' of the Maghreb.
Youth unemployment remains a major challenge of the Tunisian economy. Lack of access to decent jobs represents a major difficulty particularly for Tunisian graduates. In order to foster socio-economic development as well as creating sustainable job creation it is necessary to strengthen the private sector and facilitate the creation of new enterprises. However, starting a business requires as much financial and managerial knowledge as it doestechnologicalandmarket expertise.While many Tunisians have technical skills, they lack entrepreneurial skills. In order to address these challenges this policy briefs suggests investing in the creation of innovation laboratories and co-working spaces as well as designing a new legal framework that can facilitate entrepreneurial procedures.
The Maghreb region stands at a strategic crossroad today. It can embark on a path of reform and prosperity by transforming its rich natural endowment and human capital into inclusive economic growth. Moreover, the region’s geo-strategic situation positions it at a key junction of global trade. In order to contribute to the existing efforts towards the utilization of these potentials for growth in the region, the study at hand thus aims to give concrete recommendations on structural reforms to stimulate potentials for economic growth and inclusive development.
Authors: Hedi Larbi and Lars Christensen
AmCham annual report 2012-2013
AmCham Tunisia has gained visibility in the MENA region since it took over the AmCham MENA Council Chairmanship in July 2011. In this capacity, AmCham Tunisia has been invited either to co-organize or actively participate in all regional meetings, the most important ones being: the US Secretary’s Global Business Conference (Washington, DC. February 21-22, 2012), the 9th edition of the G8 BMENA Forum for the Future (Tunis, 11-13 December, 2012), the 2013 Harvard Arab Alumni Association Conference under the theme “The Arab World: From Revolution to Transformation” (Tunis, 21 March, 2013), and the Conference “MENA Investment and Entrepreneurship: Change Brings Opportunity » (Washington, D.C., 11 October, 2013).
IPAR-IDRC Regional Conference on Youth Employment, Kigali, Rwanda, Lemigo Hot...reachcreatives
Institute and Policy analysis and research- Rwanda (IPAR’s) - IDRC REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
“Innovations that work for youth employment: Voices from the youth”
24 & 25 October 2014
LEMIGO Hotel, Kigali -Rwanda
Follow conversation on Twitter #YouthEmploymentEA
The focus of this Issue Brief is to explore to what extent youth volunteerism
contributes to the economic empowerment of young people in Asia and the
Pacific, due to the skills which may have been developed during volunteering.
The Brief is a result of a desk study on volunteering and youth unemployment and
underemployment throughout the region, accompanied by a number of interviews
with current and former volunteers.
The Issue Brief first breaks down the challenges of youth unemployment,
underemployment and informality in Asia and Pacific, as well as rapidly changing
skill requirements, which are barriers for young people entering the labor market.
The Brief moves on to discuss the various forms of volunteering in the region, as well
as the skills volunteers may develop during volunteering. The last section explores
which of those skills are relevant to employability and labor market access for young
people and discovers the benefits of volunteering for youth entrepreneurship.
A number of recommendations are made on employability including but not limited
to the importance of skill needs anticipation and skills development relevant for
labor market access and entrepreneurship, followed by recommendations for
volunteer serving organizations and volunteers themselves. These include, for
example, to design volunteer programmes to empower women and expose them to
new work environments and for volunteers to volunteer more strategically to expand
social capital and networks, which are crucial for finding employment in markets
dominated by informality
The way to strengthen the partnership between United Nations and African community in advancing youth employment by Crafts and Vocational Center for sustainable development
Educational qualifications of entrepreneurs and performance in small and medi...ResearchWap
ABSTRACT
The study examined the effect of educational qualifications on entrepreneurs and performance of small and medium scale enterprises in Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. In this study, relevant and extensive literatures were reviewed under sub-headings. The descriptive research survey was used in the assessment of the opinions of the selected respondents with the adoption of the questionnaire and the sampling technique. A total of 100 (One Hundred) respondents were selected and used as samples for this study, the respondents were made up of (50 males and 50 females). A total of four null hypotheses were generated and used in this study using both the percentage frequency counts and the t-test statistical tools at 0.05 level of significance. At the end of the data analyses, the following results were generated: hypothesis one found that there is a significant effect of educational qualifications and performance of entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises in Lagos State Nigeria, hypothesis two showed that there is a significant gender difference in the management of small and medium scale enterprises due to educational qualifications of the entrepreneurs in Lagos State while hypothesis three indicated that the effective management of small and medium scale enterprises significantly depend on the educational qualifications of the entrepreneurs in Lagos State, Nigeria and finally, hypothesis four revealed that there is a significant gender difference in the successful management of small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIAIJM Journal
A number of policy intermediations in Nigeria that were targeted at inspiring and stimulating entrepreneurship development through small and medium scale enterprises have botched. In its place of creating in-country entrepreneurial capacity, entrepreneurs have been converted and become distribution agents of imported goods. This paper argues the development of entrepreneurship and stressed that it has been instrumental in economic growth, balanced regional development and job creation in most vibrant economies, where technology is changing at a faster rate and the product lifetime cycle is dwindling. This paper also looks at Nigeria’s growing unemployment situation and how it increasingly deteriorates the potentials of the country. It emphasizes the prominence and significance of entrepreneurship as realistic machinery for sustainable economic growth and employment generation in Nigeria seeing the experiences of developed nations like Australia, the United States and vibrant economies like China and India.
The small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) sector has been identified as a critical sector for
the various roles it plays in the socio-economic development of an economy. Such roles include employment
generation, bedrock of entrepreneurial development, avenue for investment and innovation, poverty reduction
and economic growth. It is also a source of forward and backward linkages to multinational corporations
(MNCs) which will engender foreign direct investment and local technological development. In Nigeria, the
SMEs are faced with many challenges which include limited access to fund; lack of capacity of managers etc.
These have undermined the growth, development and sustainability of the sector. It is in order to ameliorate
these numerous challenges that government over the years have formulated and implemented several policies
to develop, encourage and sustain SME success in Nigeria. The study is aimed at drawing important lessons
from the success stories of German Mittlestand by importing, adopting or adapting their characteristics. The
Mittlestand was chosen as a benchmark because the sector is resilient and was able to weather economic storms
during the economic meltdown than many of their competitors. Important lessons that could be learnt by
Nigeria’s SMEs include amongst others, the importance of investing in human resources through the adoption
of Germany’s dual vocational system; production of high quality goods and services; investing in research and
development; provision of after sales services; having a sound business plan that consents to business
inheritance, etc. On the part of government, the lessons that could be learnt include: provision of critical
infrastructure; creating enabling environment for small businesses; passing and enforcing the local content bill
etc
Investment in Education Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth in Nigeriapaperpublications3
Abstract: The paper investigated the relationship between investment in education, entrepreneurship and economic growth in Nigeria using annual time-series data from 1981 to 2013. OLS methodology, Johansen Co-integration and Error correction technique were employed to analyze macroeconomic data sourced from CBN statistical bulletin. The OLS result shows through its 98% goodness of fit value that all variable except unemployment are positively related to the gross domestic product, proxy for economic growth in Nigeria. The Co-integration test and the Error-correction technique revealed that a long-run relationship exists between investment in education, entrepreneurship and economic growth in Nigeria. The study suggests that the government should take appropriate measures to adequately invest in the educational sector and also place more attention on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in order to ensure sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
Massoud Karshenas - University of London
ERF 25th Annual Conference
Knowledge, Research Networks & Development Policy
10-12 March, 2019
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Public sector innovation is both an imperative and an opportunity for governments today. This OECD conference brought together public sector practitioners, researchers, civil society and businesses to discuss how innovation can help solve today's complex challenges.
For more information: https://www.oecd.org/governance/observatory-public-sector-innovation/events/
The way to strengthen the partnership between United Nations and African community in advancing youth employment by Crafts and Vocational Center for sustainable development
Educational qualifications of entrepreneurs and performance in small and medi...ResearchWap
ABSTRACT
The study examined the effect of educational qualifications on entrepreneurs and performance of small and medium scale enterprises in Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. In this study, relevant and extensive literatures were reviewed under sub-headings. The descriptive research survey was used in the assessment of the opinions of the selected respondents with the adoption of the questionnaire and the sampling technique. A total of 100 (One Hundred) respondents were selected and used as samples for this study, the respondents were made up of (50 males and 50 females). A total of four null hypotheses were generated and used in this study using both the percentage frequency counts and the t-test statistical tools at 0.05 level of significance. At the end of the data analyses, the following results were generated: hypothesis one found that there is a significant effect of educational qualifications and performance of entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises in Lagos State Nigeria, hypothesis two showed that there is a significant gender difference in the management of small and medium scale enterprises due to educational qualifications of the entrepreneurs in Lagos State while hypothesis three indicated that the effective management of small and medium scale enterprises significantly depend on the educational qualifications of the entrepreneurs in Lagos State, Nigeria and finally, hypothesis four revealed that there is a significant gender difference in the successful management of small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIAIJM Journal
A number of policy intermediations in Nigeria that were targeted at inspiring and stimulating entrepreneurship development through small and medium scale enterprises have botched. In its place of creating in-country entrepreneurial capacity, entrepreneurs have been converted and become distribution agents of imported goods. This paper argues the development of entrepreneurship and stressed that it has been instrumental in economic growth, balanced regional development and job creation in most vibrant economies, where technology is changing at a faster rate and the product lifetime cycle is dwindling. This paper also looks at Nigeria’s growing unemployment situation and how it increasingly deteriorates the potentials of the country. It emphasizes the prominence and significance of entrepreneurship as realistic machinery for sustainable economic growth and employment generation in Nigeria seeing the experiences of developed nations like Australia, the United States and vibrant economies like China and India.
The small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) sector has been identified as a critical sector for
the various roles it plays in the socio-economic development of an economy. Such roles include employment
generation, bedrock of entrepreneurial development, avenue for investment and innovation, poverty reduction
and economic growth. It is also a source of forward and backward linkages to multinational corporations
(MNCs) which will engender foreign direct investment and local technological development. In Nigeria, the
SMEs are faced with many challenges which include limited access to fund; lack of capacity of managers etc.
These have undermined the growth, development and sustainability of the sector. It is in order to ameliorate
these numerous challenges that government over the years have formulated and implemented several policies
to develop, encourage and sustain SME success in Nigeria. The study is aimed at drawing important lessons
from the success stories of German Mittlestand by importing, adopting or adapting their characteristics. The
Mittlestand was chosen as a benchmark because the sector is resilient and was able to weather economic storms
during the economic meltdown than many of their competitors. Important lessons that could be learnt by
Nigeria’s SMEs include amongst others, the importance of investing in human resources through the adoption
of Germany’s dual vocational system; production of high quality goods and services; investing in research and
development; provision of after sales services; having a sound business plan that consents to business
inheritance, etc. On the part of government, the lessons that could be learnt include: provision of critical
infrastructure; creating enabling environment for small businesses; passing and enforcing the local content bill
etc
Investment in Education Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth in Nigeriapaperpublications3
Abstract: The paper investigated the relationship between investment in education, entrepreneurship and economic growth in Nigeria using annual time-series data from 1981 to 2013. OLS methodology, Johansen Co-integration and Error correction technique were employed to analyze macroeconomic data sourced from CBN statistical bulletin. The OLS result shows through its 98% goodness of fit value that all variable except unemployment are positively related to the gross domestic product, proxy for economic growth in Nigeria. The Co-integration test and the Error-correction technique revealed that a long-run relationship exists between investment in education, entrepreneurship and economic growth in Nigeria. The study suggests that the government should take appropriate measures to adequately invest in the educational sector and also place more attention on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in order to ensure sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
Massoud Karshenas - University of London
ERF 25th Annual Conference
Knowledge, Research Networks & Development Policy
10-12 March, 2019
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Public sector innovation is both an imperative and an opportunity for governments today. This OECD conference brought together public sector practitioners, researchers, civil society and businesses to discuss how innovation can help solve today's complex challenges.
For more information: https://www.oecd.org/governance/observatory-public-sector-innovation/events/
Employment, skills, and accessible technology are key to making greater progress towards broad digital inclusion. This invitation-only workshop jointly organized by Microsoft and ONCE on the 14th June 2010 was an opportunity to facilitate a high level, multi-stakeholder dialogue on how to promote greater employment opportunities for people with disabilities with a focus on practical technical and policy solutions.
The dialogue was structured around two key documents: (1) New Skills for New Jobs: Action Now that is a report by the Expert Group on New Skills for New Jobs prepared for the European Commission (February 2010); and (2) Post Crisis: e-Skills Are Needed to Drive Europe’s Innovation Society, an IDC White Paper sponsored by Microsoft (November 2009).
Working Paper: The role of innovation for sustainable future. itdUPM meeting. 14 April 2015. Industrial Technical School, Technical University of Madrid (UPM). 13:30 - 15:30h
Adrian Ely - Manifesto - Reflections on an (ongoing) experiment in the politi...STEPS Centre
Presentation at the STEPS Conference 2010 - Pathways to Sustainability: Agendas for a new politics of environment, development and social justice
http://www.steps-centre.org/events/stepsconference2010.html
A public talk proposing a new vision to the youth of Tunisia. After presenting what I call the Tunisian Paradox, I argue that we can make it unless we proceed systemically to restructure our industry and services while leveraging intelligently the remaining enabling sectors.
In this presentation Tim Kelly from the World Bank provides a general
overview about the project and the debate so far in the eTransform Africa project.
Call for Papers (Extended Abstracts): 5th International Conference of the UNE...Graciela Mariani
The Second call for Papers (Extended Abstracts) for the 5th International Conference of the UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development has been officially launched.
Tech4Dev 2018, gives you an opportunity to:
Ø Present your research at a unique multidisciplinary Conference focused on innovative technology for social impact in the Global South.
Ø Network across disciplines and fields of technology, to promote the development, deployment, adaptation, and scaling of new solutions for the Global South.
Ø Identify opportunities for collaboration with diverse stakeholders – academics, students, engineers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, practitioners, and social scientists- interested in technological innovation in the Global South.
Ø Participate in the fabulous social event of the conference that will take place in the Lavaux Vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ø Build capacity among students and young professionals to engage in multidisciplinary problem solving for social impact.
Tech4Dev 2018 invites researchers, students, practitioners, industry or anyone interested in critical issues in Technologies for Development to submit proposals for Papers (Extended Abstracts). Submissions should emphasize the value of technological innovation while also acknowledging the limits of technology in generating inclusive social and economic development.
Further information, templates and material can be found on the conference website https://cooperation.epfl.ch/Tech4Dev2018.
This is a recap report on the seminar organized by JFRC on 18 April 2015 about the policies of tripartite partnership between the public sector, the civil society and private sector.
Also known as “One Belt, one Road" (OBOR), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. It is the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in history. The goal is to promote
roduction, trade and investment, as well as the physical and digital integration of international markets. The BRI provides Chinese investment with a framework to improve existing infrastructure and build new production sites and trade routes to better connect China to the rest of the world.
Also known as “One Belt, one Road" (OBOR), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. It is the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in history. The goal is to promote
roduction, trade and investment, as well as the physical and digital integration of international markets. The BRI provides Chinese investment with a framework to improve existing infrastructure and build new production sites and trade routes to better connect China to the rest of the world.
The widespread assumption that any political change can only come with the assistance of a super power was contradicted when an up-rise in Tunisia toppled a regime that reigned for over twenty-three years. The world was taken aback by these events in a country that “seemed the best in the class: stable, presentably secular, engaged in a steady process of “Economic reform”. Realities proved to be extremely different from the outward carefully drawn image of the country. Despite Tunisia’s positive reputation amongst a myriad of governments, the country became immersed in a political mayhem that remains unsorted to this day. The latest Africa Report refers to “the political infighting” as the main cause for stagnation in economic reform and the primary reason that the European Union (EU) and International Organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue to place Tunisia on black lists for terrorism and money laundering. Moreover, the Tunisian Labor Union (UGTT), Tunisia’s strongest Labor Union, is lobbying for more and more strikes against IMF recommendations to the government, making the prime minister’s job to reconcile between the different actors and stakeholders even harder.
One conclusion should strictly be derived from the results of the Tunisian presidential elections: there is nothing unpredictable about the outcomes. The excitement of bringing about political change after 2011, has
subsided due to unstable economy and confusing politics. Many factors have contributed to the buildup of this new political scene. Various elements impacted the course of the events in Tunisia, namely, social and political ones.
ان كان هناك خلاصة يجب استنتاجها من انتخابات 2019 فهي أنه ليس من الصعب التنبؤ بنتائجها، فالرغبة بإحداث تغيير سياسي بعد 2011 تلاشي بسبب الوضع الاقتصادي والسياسي المتردي والغير المستقر، إلى جانب العديد من الاحداث الاجتماعية والسياسية التي اثرت على مسار تونس ما بعد الثورة
في إطار مشروع #نخدم تونس، نظم المنتدى الإقتصادي المغاربي سلسلة ورشات عمل حول الفلاحة. وكان اللقاء الأول يوم 30 جوان 2016 بمقر ديوان تنمية المراعي والغابات بالشمال الغربي حول موضوع "الفلاحة في منطقة الشمال الغربي: الخصوصيات والتحديات والإنتظارات".
ساهم انتشار ظاهرة التطرف العنيف وتعدد العمليات الإرهابية التي هزت العالم في اضعاف الاستقرار المجتمعي وتقويض جهود السلام العالمي، كما أنها ساهمت في انتشار الجريمة العابرة للقارات وتبيض الأموال وغيرها من الجرائم التي لها انعكاسات خطيرة على السياسة والاقتصاد العالميين ولهذا فإن معالجة هذه الظاهرة ضمن إطار قانوني وقضائي أصبح أمرا مهما من أجل ضمان ليس فقط السلم المجتمعي بل أيضا من اجل حماية حقوق الأنسان وتعزيز الحق في المحاكمة العادلة. كما أن العمل على بناء منظومة قضائية وقانونية متكاملة وعادلة سيساهم في حماية الشباب من الانضمام الي التنظيمات الإرهابية الحاملة للفكر المتطرف إلى جانب مساهمتها في الجهود القائمة على إعادة ادماج هؤلاء الشباب في مجتمعاتهم. وبهذا فإن هذا الملخص للسياسية العامة سيناقش السياق التونسي ما بعد الثورة وارتباطه بظاهرة التطرف العنيف كما أنه سيتحدث عن الدستور التونسي وقانون الإرهاب الجديدين. سيركز هذا الملخص أيضا على أهمية القيام بإصلاحات داخل المنظومة القانونية والقضائية التونسية من أجل حماية حقوق الانسان وضمان الحقوق والحريات التي هي الأسس التي قامت من أجلها الثورة التونسية وأخيرا ستكون هناك مجموعة من التوصيات موجهة للطبقة السياسية والى المشرع التونسي
The widespread of violent extremism and terrorist attacks undermined societal stability and world peace. Additionally, it deepened the expansion of intercontinental crimes, money laundering and other illegal acts that have a crucial impact on global politics and economy. Thus, tackling this phenomenon within a legal and judicial framework is important for preserving human rights and societal peace, in addition to guaranteeing the right to a fair trial. The establishment of a comprehensive and fair judicial and legal system will help protect young people from joining radical terrorist organizations and strengthen the efforts to reintegrate these young people into their societies. Thus, this policy brief will discuss the post-revolutionary Tunisian context and its association with the phenomenon of violent extremism and will examine the new Tunisian Constitution and the new anti-terrorism law. Furthermore, this policy brief will also focus on the importance of reforming the Tunisian legal and judicial system in order to protect human rights and guarantee the rights and freedoms to all people, for that they are the foundation of the Tunisian revolution. Finally, there will be a series of recommendations directed at politicians and Tunisian legislators.
Author: Omar Wesleti
Réforme structurelle, nouveau rôle pour l'Etat, intégration régionale.
Cette étude intitulée “Développement Intelligent pour le Maghreb: réforme structurelle, nouveau rôle pour l’Etat, intégration régionale”, issue d’un projet en coopération avec le Programme Régional Dialogue Politique Sud Méditerranée de la Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung et le Maghreb Economic Forum (MEF), entreprend donc une analyse de la situation actuelle concernant l’économie régionale. Mises en évidence sont les différentes trajectoires futures permettant de renforcer l’intégration et la prospérité au niveau régional. De plus, l’étude transmet une vision globale des vingt prochaines années et identifie les domaines dans lesquels des réformes sont nécessaires afin de trouver de nouvelles approches d’intégration et de croissance économique tout le long des côtes méditerranéennes.
Maghreb Economic Forum
The Maghreb Economic Forum (MEF), a Think-and-Do-Tank in Tunis, is recruiting a full time Executive Assistant responsible for administrative support and secretarial assistance to the MEF team, including to the Director, Senior Managers, Managers, and other support staff as and when required.
Please send you CV & Cover letter to careers.mef@magef.org
The Maghreb Economic Forum (MEF), a Think-and-Do-Tank in Tunis, is recruiting a full time Executive Assistant responsible for administrative support and secretarial assistance to the MEF team, including to the Director, Senior Managers, Managers, and other support staff as and when required.
Please send you CV & Cover letter to careers.mef@magef.org
Poonawalla Fincorp and IndusInd Bank Introduce New Co-Branded Credit Cardnickysharmasucks
The unveiling of the IndusInd Bank Poonawalla Fincorp eLITE RuPay Platinum Credit Card marks a notable milestone in the Indian financial landscape, showcasing a successful partnership between two leading institutions, Poonawalla Fincorp and IndusInd Bank. This co-branded credit card not only offers users a plethora of benefits but also reflects a commitment to innovation and adaptation. With a focus on providing value-driven and customer-centric solutions, this launch represents more than just a new product—it signifies a step towards redefining the banking experience for millions. Promising convenience, rewards, and a touch of luxury in everyday financial transactions, this collaboration aims to cater to the evolving needs of customers and set new standards in the industry.
how to swap pi coins to foreign currency withdrawable.DOT TECH
As of my last update, Pi is still in the testing phase and is not tradable on any exchanges.
However, Pi Network has announced plans to launch its Testnet and Mainnet in the future, which may include listing Pi on exchanges.
The current method for selling pi coins involves exchanging them with a pi vendor who purchases pi coins for investment reasons.
If you want to sell your pi coins, reach out to a pi vendor and sell them to anyone looking to sell pi coins from any country around the globe.
Below is the contact information for my personal pi vendor.
Telegram: @Pi_vendor_247
how to sell pi coins in all Africa Countries.DOT TECH
Yes. You can sell your pi network for other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, usdt , Ethereum and other currencies And this is done easily with the help from a pi merchant.
What is a pi merchant ?
Since pi is not launched yet in any exchange. The only way you can sell right now is through merchants.
A verified Pi merchant is someone who buys pi network coins from miners and resell them to investors looking forward to hold massive quantities of pi coins before mainnet launch in 2026.
I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant to trade with.
@Pi_vendor_247
The secret way to sell pi coins effortlessly.DOT TECH
Well as we all know pi isn't launched yet. But you can still sell your pi coins effortlessly because some whales in China are interested in holding massive pi coins. And they are willing to pay good money for it. If you are interested in selling I will leave a contact for you. Just telegram this number below. I sold about 3000 pi coins to him and he paid me immediately.
Telegram: @Pi_vendor_247
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how to sell pi coins in South Korea profitably.DOT TECH
Yes. You can sell your pi network coins in South Korea or any other country, by finding a verified pi merchant
What is a verified pi merchant?
Since pi network is not launched yet on any exchange, the only way you can sell pi coins is by selling to a verified pi merchant, and this is because pi network is not launched yet on any exchange and no pre-sale or ico offerings Is done on pi.
Since there is no pre-sale, the only way exchanges can get pi is by buying from miners. So a pi merchant facilitates these transactions by acting as a bridge for both transactions.
How can i find a pi vendor/merchant?
Well for those who haven't traded with a pi merchant or who don't already have one. I will leave the telegram id of my personal pi merchant who i trade pi with.
Tele gram: @Pi_vendor_247
#pi #sell #nigeria #pinetwork #picoins #sellpi #Nigerian #tradepi #pinetworkcoins #sellmypi
Currently pi network is not tradable on binance or any other exchange because we are still in the enclosed mainnet.
Right now the only way to sell pi coins is by trading with a verified merchant.
What is a pi merchant?
A pi merchant is someone verified by pi network team and allowed to barter pi coins for goods and services.
Since pi network is not doing any pre-sale The only way exchanges like binance/huobi or crypto whales can get pi is by buying from miners. And a merchant stands in between the exchanges and the miners.
I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant. I and my friends has traded more than 6000pi coins successfully
Tele-gram
@Pi_vendor_247
Resume
• Real GDP growth slowed down due to problems with access to electricity caused by the destruction of manoeuvrable electricity generation by Russian drones and missiles.
• Exports and imports continued growing due to better logistics through the Ukrainian sea corridor and road. Polish farmers and drivers stopped blocking borders at the end of April.
• In April, both the Tax and Customs Services over-executed the revenue plan. Moreover, the NBU transferred twice the planned profit to the budget.
• The European side approved the Ukraine Plan, which the government adopted to determine indicators for the Ukraine Facility. That approval will allow Ukraine to receive a EUR 1.9 bn loan from the EU in May. At the same time, the EU provided Ukraine with a EUR 1.5 bn loan in April, as the government fulfilled five indicators under the Ukraine Plan.
• The USA has finally approved an aid package for Ukraine, which includes USD 7.8 bn of budget support; however, the conditions and timing of the assistance are still unknown.
• As in March, annual consumer inflation amounted to 3.2% yoy in April.
• At the April monetary policy meeting, the NBU again reduced the key policy rate from 14.5% to 13.5% per annum.
• Over the past four weeks, the hryvnia exchange rate has stabilized in the UAH 39-40 per USD range.
how can I sell my pi coins for cash in a pi APPDOT TECH
You can't sell your pi coins in the pi network app. because it is not listed yet on any exchange.
The only way you can sell is by trading your pi coins with an investor (a person looking forward to hold massive amounts of pi coins before mainnet launch) .
You don't need to meet the investor directly all the trades are done with a pi vendor/merchant (a person that buys the pi coins from miners and resell it to investors)
I Will leave The telegram contact of my personal pi vendor, if you are finding a legitimate one.
@Pi_vendor_247
#pi network
#pi coins
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Introduction to Indian Financial System ()Avanish Goel
The financial system of a country is an important tool for economic development of the country, as it helps in creation of wealth by linking savings with investments.
It facilitates the flow of funds form the households (savers) to business firms (investors) to aid in wealth creation and development of both the parties
what is the best method to sell pi coins in 2024DOT TECH
The best way to sell your pi coins safely is trading with an exchange..but since pi is not launched in any exchange, and second option is through a VERIFIED pi merchant.
Who is a pi merchant?
A pi merchant is someone who buys pi coins from miners and pioneers and resell them to Investors looking forward to hold massive amounts before mainnet launch in 2026.
I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant to trade pi coins with.
@Pi_vendor_247
how can i use my minded pi coins I need some funds.DOT TECH
If you are interested in selling your pi coins, i have a verified pi merchant, who buys pi coins and resell them to exchanges looking forward to hold till mainnet launch.
Because the core team has announced that pi network will not be doing any pre-sale. The only way exchanges like huobi, bitmart and hotbit can get pi is by buying from miners.
Now a merchant stands in between these exchanges and the miners. As a link to make transactions smooth. Because right now in the enclosed mainnet you can't sell pi coins your self. You need the help of a merchant,
i will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant below. 👇 I and my friends has traded more than 3000pi coins with him successfully.
@Pi_vendor_247
Turin Startup Ecosystem 2024 - Ricerca sulle Startup e il Sistema dell'Innov...Quotidiano Piemontese
Turin Startup Ecosystem 2024
Una ricerca de il Club degli Investitori, in collaborazione con ToTeM Torino Tech Map e con il supporto della ESCP Business School e di Growth Capital
If you are looking for a pi coin investor. Then look no further because I have the right one he is a pi vendor (he buy and resell to whales in China). I met him on a crypto conference and ever since I and my friends have sold more than 10k pi coins to him And he bought all and still want more. I will drop his telegram handle below just send him a message.
@Pi_vendor_247
What website can I sell pi coins securely.DOT TECH
Currently there are no website or exchange that allow buying or selling of pi coins..
But you can still easily sell pi coins, by reselling it to exchanges/crypto whales interested in holding thousands of pi coins before the mainnet launch.
Who is a pi merchant?
A pi merchant is someone who buys pi coins from miners and resell to these crypto whales and holders of pi..
This is because pi network is not doing any pre-sale. The only way exchanges can get pi is by buying from miners and pi merchants stands in between the miners and the exchanges.
How can I sell my pi coins?
Selling pi coins is really easy, but first you need to migrate to mainnet wallet before you can do that. I will leave the telegram contact of my personal pi merchant to trade with.
Tele-gram.
@Pi_vendor_247
International Expert Workshop on Employability in Agriculture, Renewable Energies and IT in Tunisia
1. International Expert Workshop
on Employability in Agriculture,
Renewable Energies
and IT in Tunisia
Tunis, 27-30 July 2016
Summary report by moderators M. Majdoub and S. Marrouki
#Jobs For Tunisia
#NekhdemTounes
2. Table of Contents
I. The workshop
II. Expected objectives and outcome
III. Workshop approach, methodology and agenda
IV. The participants
V. Summary of findings
VI. Conclusion and key recommendations
VII. Overall evaluation: Were the objectives of the workshop reached
VIII. Annex 1: Workshop agenda and moderation plan
IX. Annex 2: Expert and moderator short biographies
3. I. The Workshop
The 2016 International Expert Workshop for ‘Employability in Agriculture, Renewable Energies and IT in Tunisia’, held
by the Maghreb Economic Forum (Tunis, 27-30/07/2016), was a three days discussion among high-level experts from
Tunisia and around the world. (See list of participants and bios of the experts).
The workshop was the final component in a series of four workshops held by the MEF on the same subject throughout
the year, in three regions of the country: Tunis, Gafsa and Tataouine.
The workshop focused on the role of multilateral organizations, foreign foundations and international experts in
providing guidance throughout Tunisia’s socio-economic transition towards inclusive growth. In order to prevent this
long-term process from failing, we must identify the major obstacles standing in the way of large- scale job creation
programs and identify new opportunities and innovative solutions.
The key questions raised at the workshop were:
How can the state better identify emerging trends and assess the needs of local communities?
Which structural reforms are needed and which legislative policies are to be drafted by the parliament
to tackle the issue of illegal employment in the informal sector and improve informal worker access to
decent work and government protections?
How can executive power close the gap between policies andimplementation?
How can leaders from civil society organizations, the media and the private sector exert pressure on
ruling elites to revisit the education system and increase labor marketefficiency?
How can the state create an enabling and secure environment to boost employment, promote a
favorable investment climate, improve conditions for start-up founders and enhance trade?
Which best practices and innovative value-added solutions from abroad can be adapted to the
Tunisian context?
4. II. Expected objectives and outcomes
The MEF assigned four specific objectives and four outcomes to the workshop.
The objectives:
1. Develop an expert innovative vision as a basis for a policy paper to enhance employability
in the three sectors of Renewable Energy, Agriculture, and Information and Communications Technology.
2. Identify opportunities in and barriers to growth in these three sectors, and share best practices.
3. Identify relevant approaches for MEF advocacy and lobbying.
4. Initiate an international expert network to support MEF action in the future.
The outcomes:
1. A workshop summary report outlining key findings andrecommendations
2. Short reports by the experts answering eight key questions!
3. Established contact between experts
4. Experts’ commitments to future MEF activities and projects
5. III. Workshop approach, methodology and agenda
The workshop moderation approach consisted of three kinds of methods: discussion panels, working groups and
plenary guided discussions. (Figure 1 and Annex 1).
The panels were devoted to the discussion of cross-cutting themes and to the exchange of case studies and testimonies
among participants. The working groups were dedicated to discussions of the three sectors, designed to explore specific
ideas. The plenary sessions provided the environment to share knowledge, develop conclusions, and make general
recommendations.
The workshop process (Figure 2 and Figure 3) proceeded as follows:
Step A- General overview and global trends
Step B- Opportunities, best practices and barriers: assessment by sector
Step C- The role of the state
Step D- Reforms needed and innovativesolutions
Step E- Advocacy and lobbying actions
Figure 1. The Workshop approach
6. Figure 2. Workshop themes and progression
Figure 3. The Workshop Agenda (simplified
7. IV. The participants
The multidisciplinary workshop included participants that were high-level experts from Tunisia, USA, Germany,
Australia and other countries, from various specialties and domains of expertise (Figure 4 and Annex 2).
Figure 4. A diversity of participants, including both international and national experts
V. Summary of findings
8. Day 1: 27 July
Opening session
Ines Amri from MEF started by thanking participants for attending the workshop, presenting the MEF’s mission, vision
and key activities, highlighting the Jobs for Tunisia project, this workshop on employability, and its
objectives. She introduced three sectors targeted by the MEF (Agriculture, Information and Communication Technology,
and Renewable Energy) and the workshop agenda with a focus on identifying opportunities, barriers, and best practices
to be adapted to Tunisian context. Two video clips were presented: one outlining different MEF activities, the other
presenting the Jobs for Tunisia project.
Inna Rudolf then took the stage to present the background paper on “Employment opportunities in Tunisia”, before
focusing on how the BMW Foundation could support think tanks working on transformation in Tunisia, particularly in
the context of revolution with its specific socio-economic effects. She highlighted the employment opportunities in the
three sectors, concluding with a focus on the constraints facing and the perspectives of Tunisian entrepreneurs.
Bechir Bouzid from the World Bank underlined the opportunities and limitations of Tunisian entrepreneurship
based on a set of cultural, sociological and educationalfactors.
Mounir Majdoub, the moderator of the workshop, introduced himself, presented the agenda, objectives, expected
outcomes and methodology of the workshop.
Mohamed Louadi and Karim Hamdy were appointed to be reporters for the first day and Bechir Bouzid and Mansouri
Farida for the second day.
Sarah Toumi presented her personal history in Bir Salah. Her project, Acacias for all, works to plant specific trees
(especially acacia trees) in rural zones to prevent desertification and assure that agriculture in those regions
continues. Women in particular have benefitted from this social development. Acacias for All is conducted in cooperation
with local communities but without the support of official institutions or national authorities.
9. Panel N°1: Challenges and policy trends: International lessons learned
This working group discussed education and employability around the world, and how these case studies could inspire
change in Tunisia. Many interesting experiences in the Americas, Africa, and Australia were elaborated, including the
following three presentations:
Karim Hamdi’s presentation, “Reinforcing the capacity to promote employment”, discussed the wide- spread benefits
that wider and deeper cooperation between national and foreign universities can provide, citing certain examples from
the United States where high school students built airplane parts.
Mr. Fethi Mansouri emphasized the integration of young people into the labor market, especially with regard to young
graduates. He mentioned the NISA case in Australia, which is a major program that aims to promote innovation and adapt
the Australian economy to the changes and new opportunities created by digitization.
Finally, Mrs. Inna Rudolf presented some interesting examples of creative ideas in Ghana and South Africa where start-
ups have succeeded in improving employability.
The debate between panelists and participants focused on the interaction between innovation and entrepreneurship.
Most participants stressed the seriousness of the gap between industry needs and the skills provided by universities.
Both innovative initiatives and governmental will to reform the education system were vital issues promoted by the
participants.
Outcomes of the panel
The importance of the MEF's role in helping the Tunisian government to design policies and adapt
approaches to innovative tools for job creation.
The need for mechanisms that encourage innovators and startups.
The need to strengthen exchanges between Tunisia and higher income countries. Current Memorandums
of Understanding must be energized.
The need for structural changes and reforms of the existing educationsystem.
The importance of re-examining secondary school curricula, which must be based on the competencies
required to narrow the gap between technical needs and labor market needs.
The need to combine technical skills with job skills and invest in R & D to anticipate the need for
transformation in a measurable way in terms of quality and impact.
The need to create an appropriate framework for innovation policies through incentives for initiatives,
innovations and startups.
The importance of supporting new initiatives and projects in the creation of new opportunities and new
jobs.
The need to deal with the population’s lack of skills, as it contributes to the growth of informal sectors.
The need for an innovative mechanism to absorb unskilled people attracted to the informal economy.
10. Day 2: 28 July
After reviewing the work of the first day, Day 2 included working groups divided by sector, a plenary discussion and an
open discussion. The working groups were dedicated to answering the following question: “What are the opportunities
and barriers to employability, best practices and innovative policies and instruments?” The plenary discussion targeted
the question: "What are the best practices and innovative value-added solutions from abroad that can be adapted to
the Tunisian context?" Finally, the open discussion was devoted to the question:" How can the state improve the
conditions for start-up founders and investors?"
During this session, the working groups on Renewable Energy focused on the importance of natural resources, human
capital, geographic proximity, financial mobilization and the international and technological context as promising
factors for this sector. At the same time, constraints related to the Tunisian legal framework, governance and structure,
and the size and infrastructure of the market were also raised. Participants stressed the need to promote existing
financial mechanisms, encouraging startups and raising conventional energy prices for the development of the sector.
In the working groups on Agriculture, the participants agreed on the importance of improved marketing techniques
and better management of the value chain. The participants noted the importance of administrative, financial, land,
climate and cultural problems, which constitute serious obstacles to the development of the sector. They see
conditioning, diversification, disclosure of success stories, innovation and good governance as best practices for the
sector.
Concerning the ICT sector, the discussions focused on Tunisia's comparative advantage of infrastructure, human capital,
deregulation and the cultural context that can offer several opportunities in this area. At the same time, Tunisian ICT
development faces constraints related to the gender gap, bureaucracy, corruption and the ineffectiveness of the
education system. Participants paid particular attention to youth leadership, better involvement of civil society and
financial assistance through innovative policies to develop the sectors.
11. Renewable Energy
Opportunities Barriers Best practices
Availability of natural resources
CC international context
Proximity to Europe
Local capacities(institutional and
expertise)
Experienced capacities with
PROSOL programs
TSP as a frame of energy
transition
30/30,INDC
ETF and potential of
financing mobilization
Synergy between Agri and ICT
Industry integration
EE success stories
IT for ET (supply anddemand sides
management)
Possible PPP
Potential of labor force
Potential of innovation to
change perception (Agri)
Improve quality of life and
access to energy
Adapted technologies
Self-electricity generationfrom RE
and RE vs sectors(mining...)
Legal framework (incomplete,
inappropriate, not adapted for
Objective 30/30
No governmental commitment to
national objectives in mid and long
term
State monopoly on the
energy sector (Ministry,
STEG, DGE, ANME)
Technical limitation of
infrastructure and grid
capacity
No governing body exists to
regulate the sector
Awareness/ social
acceptance of the
technologies
Public subsidies for
energy distort the
market
Small market compared to
others
(Morocco, Algeria, Egypt)
Financial mechanisms for market
creation (PROSOL SWH for SWH
market creation, 7 manufacturers
and 1200 small enterprises for
installation and maintenance, and
PROSOLElect for PV market
creation 30 MW top roof PV and
net metering and 150 suppliers
and installers with 4 PV panel
producers and assemblers)
Innovate “SAPHON Energy”
start up for new wind turbine
technology
Labialization with “LEED” for
building
Incentives for RE and EE in
the energy policy since the
80th
Progressive increase of
energy prices
Agriculture
Opportunities Barriers Best practices
Marketing:
Branding;
Quality
control;
Better targeting of new
niches; Strategic
geoposition;
Trade agreements;
Value chains/processes:
Lack of natural resources:water, soil
degradation;
High factor cost;
Low access to finance, especially
for small-scale agriculture;
Real estate problems: small to
very small land plots,
fragmentation of land;
Lack of value chain
Market and value creation:
packaging, diversification,
tradition and quality;
Communication and
information, links between
farmers and consumers,
students;
Success stories from
Tunisian diaspora
community regarding
12. The following table provides a detailed summary of the points made during the session of the working groups:
Innovative processes;
Modernizations
R&D;
IT applications in
agriculture;
organization; Low product
quality;
Low productivity;
Inefficient bureaucracy coupled
with a high level of
centralization;
Tunisian products;
Sharing economy models:
Monitor the quality of products;
Community development:
facilitate collective action; trust
building;
Eco-tourism and agrotourism;
Indigenous knowledge Lack of infrastructure:storage
capacity, roads…
Conventional/archaic
Agroindustry;
Low youth interest;
Low level of cooperationamong
farmers and weakness of professional
organization;
Distrust of the state and the
administrative system
Fair trade;
Urban farming;
Better resource management:
water; harvesting;
Coaching and better ecosystems for
agricultural production;
Explore the relationships between
Energy-Water- Food and Agriculture
Information and Communication Technologies
Opportunities Barriers Best practices
13. Working Groups Divided by Sector>
Digital economy;
Infrastructure andlabor
force: (room for
improvement)
More IT equipment and IT
support in schools;
Well-educated, IT literate
population
Competitive salaries in the IT sector
Cultural context;
Relatively high level of gender
equality in Tunisia;
e-government (Estonia example);
raising awareness and
computer literacy;
IT enabled occupation
s(energy…) Business university
interaction (Forum);
Liberalization of
computing capacity
Low rates of literacy;
Gender deficit;
Lack of banking andfinancial
support to the IT sector;
Poor equipment in public
Tunisian universities;
Government bureaucracyand
corruption;
Lack of government involvement in
institutionalizing industry- university
dialogue;
Generally low level of soft
skills;
Universities need to adjust
curricula to business needs;
Insufficient telecom
infrastructure for export
Invite guest speakers from business;
Infrastructure;
Mentor youth that are passionate
about IT;
Get civil society involved in IT; encourage
civic online participation;
Install solar energy in rural areas to boost
IT penetration;
Hot spots;
Nano degree (?);
14. Mr. Bechir Bouzid concluded this session with a few remarks. He explained that Tunisia suffers from the rigidity of the
labor market, protectionism and bureaucracy that make it difficult for new players to access any market. He highlighted
the fact that corruption is currently the biggest problem in Tunisia and the main obstacle of innovation and economic
development.
He recommended improving education and skills, developing ICTs for the youth generation, bringing together universities,
public institutions and the private sector to sit around same table and analyzing the value chain to promote employability.
Panel 1: Which best practices and innovative value-added solutions from abroad can be adapted to the Tunisian context?
During this panel, participants discussed original solutions to improve employability in the three sectors and possible ways
of monitoring and evaluating progress. This panel was marked by three interesting presentations:
Mr. Mohamed Louadi insisted on the diversity of the origins of unemployment, believing that it results from insufficient
job offers in relation to job applications, particularly in the IT sectors. This is why he stressed the importance of developing
skills, particularly personal ones, and to allow universities to participate more closely in the private sector to enrich the
content of the courses.
Mr. Neil Fourati mentioned how Tunisia could improve employability in agriculture. Decentralization is one of the best
practices that could be adopted, he argued, specifying that the government must empower local actors for decision-
making, develop local systems of proposals and decisions around different activities and invest in the infrastructure of
sport and culture to keep young people in rural areas.
Lastly, Mr. Mouldi Miled stressed the importance of innovation and employability, especially in the energy sector. For
him, the use of IT for Tunisia’s energy transition is decisive.
The main results emerging from the debates and interactions during this session are summarized as follows:
Use of social media to reach youth;
Social entrepreneurship;
Communication and hubs
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and reforms based on KPIs to fightcorruption
“Meritocracy”;
Institutionalize exchange between universities and businesses to close the gap between skills and labor market
needs;
Add an economic dimension to the mission of the educationsystem.
Adapt best international practices, deriving inspiration from and adapting the examples of Estonia, Australia and
Sweden examples;
Build platforms and hubs to establish trust between public and private sectors that crumbled after the
revolution.
15. Panel 2: How can the state improve conditions for start-up founders and investors?
This session was dedicated to discussing the role of the state in improving conditions for young founders of start- ups
and young investors in all three sectors. Participants agreed on a variety of measures that can be carried out by the
state. These measures must be regular, institutional, financial and technological.
The main recommendations are as follows:
Create hubs instead of technopoles (stop the top-down approach!).
Coworking spaces and regionalization.
PPP: defining what is a start-up.
Support private youth initiative through specific regulatory framework.
Offer guarantees to unlock funds for young start-up founders
Launch information campaign about existing fundingmechanisms.
Training of entrepreneurs;
Reduce bureaucracy: simplify procedures in order to expediate and facilitate access to financial
solutions.
Improve conditions in an equitable, simple and transparent manner
Consider the economic dimension of higher education andR&D
16. Day 3: 29 July
The third and last day of the workshop began with a quick recap of the second day before moving into two plenary
sessions, a panel discussion, and lastly, an evaluation session. In the first plenary session, participants discussed the
following question: "How can the state better reconcile local trends and needs?" The second session focused on the
question "What structural reforms are needed and what legislative policies must be proposed by parliament to achieve
the best practices identified? " During the focus group, responses to these two main questions were put forward: "What
is the role of civil society, think tanks and the business community in influencing policy? and “What advocacy and
lobbying actions can the MEF employ? ". The evaluation session included a summary of the key points of the workshop,
the overall evaluations of the participants and their commitments to future activities.
Plenary Session 1: Globally emerging trends in job creation:
To answer the main question of this session, the discussions focused on identifying emerging global trends in job
creation on the one hand and the need of local communities to create employment opportunities on the other.
What globally emerging trends in job creation have arisen?
Most of the responses mentioned by participants are related to uncertainty, flexibility and diversity issues.
Indeed, the main ideas are:
- Uncertainty
- New definitions of employment and conceptualizations of a “job’
- International and global perspectives
- Economic trends and job creation
- Diversification (regional and global integration)
- Leveraging the skills of informal sectors
- Institutionalization of certification programs for rapidoperation
- Reconversion(adaptation)
- Flexible education systems
- Early exposure to the labor market (Involvement intoprojects)
- Onsite training
- E-learning
- Remote working and teleworking
- Flexible job hours and job sharing
- Energy transition
- Internet of things
- Green jobs
- Social jobs
17. What are the needs of local communities in job creation?
The experts mentioned decentralization, modernization of the education system, greater ease in acquiring funding and
gender issues as factors that contribute to job creation and socio-economic development in communities. The following
points were raised:
- Voices and solutions must originate from the bottom-up
- Needs vary widely from one region to another
- Needs of other communities
- Jobs shouldn’t be “very far” to be “feasible”
- Creation of a new participatory instrument to identify local needs and lead to a positive impact on
the success of state actions
- Local taxes for local people
- Decentralization of tax system
- Citizen jury (gender consideration)
- More voice for the local communities
- Citizens participation must include all citizens, not only “elites” or “localelites”
- Town hall meetings
- Needs assessments = instruments by law
- Expertise for assessment
- Capacity building + basic procedures
- Water and energy needs linked to decentralization
- Conduct job needs and sector assessment in a regular manner to remain up to date!
- Revisit existing reforms previously drafted but not implemented. Share and improve them (if necessary) and
build up an advocacy or lobbying strategy to present to Parliament and government
- Increased attention to quality of higher education, vocational training and high-school systems
How can the state better reconcile global trends with local needs?
Participants made various recommendations allowing the state to reconcile trends on a global scale with local
needs. The measures proposed by the participants were varied: institutional, regulatory, financial and cultural.
The main recommendations were:
- Leadership development;
- Pairing of cities;
- Legal framework adapted to international market opportunities;
- Change the law to allow Tunisians to have the same rights as foreigners with regard to international business;
- Improve local knowledge and capacity for marketing projects at the international level (creation of needs);
- After assessing the needs of local communities, the state should consider outsourcing in specific fields and
encourage social startup entrepreneurship offering services and solutions to local problems not addressed by
the state.
- Adapt the education system and R&D strategy to labor market needs in local areas and urban centers.
- Create local funds inside communities and facilitate access to loans and finance (low interest
rates, guarantees…).
- Tailor part of education curricula to the regional/local needs.
18. Plenary Session 2:
Which specific structural reforms are necessary and which legislative policies are to be drafted to implement
the best practices identified?
During this session, participants suggested several ideas to answer this question, most of which linked to the
importance of narrowing the gap between universities and the private sector, developing social entrepreneurship,
improving the business climate and incorporating a meritocracy. Mr. Bechir Bouzid made a presentation in which he
showed the dynamic relationship between corruption and unemployment. He explained that corruption has always
raised youth unemployment, especially in the long run.
The following table summarizes the main ideas of this session:
Best practices Reforms needed
Institutionalize exchange
between universities and
businesses to close the
gap between skills and
labor market needs
Sign Memorandums of
Understanding between
universities and BIE to
match market
requirements with
academic qualifications
(following a dialog with
all stakeholders
CSR- rank businesses
based onKPIs,
including sustainable
employment
Link government financial
incentives and budget to the
following performance
indicators: research impacts,
MoU, long term internships
Create competition
Involve recognized
international partners in
the process
Create platforms and Allocate a budget to
allow
municipalities to pay for
needs assessment
- Local employment
bureau
- Local business
- Banks (BTS, BFPME)
Hubs hosted by
municipalities
State to launch a A peer learning program
hubs to build trust national initiative where young
between public and commissioning representatives of local
private sectors after the universities and R:D to communities are trained
revolution do research and to implement existing
assessment of needs projects or adapt existing
in local communities services to their regional
realities by starting
State actors invite franchises that solve local
businesses and NGOs issues, create jobs and
to share information allow them to develop
on needs of own business
communities
Adapt best practices,
drawing inspiration from
and adapting the Sweden
experience
(Estonia/Australia for the
IT sector)
Improve created co-
masters across
Tunisian universities
and the broad
Monitoring foundation at
international level
(platform bringing
together involved actors)
Create funds to allow start-
up exchanges with higher
income countries
(tax and aid collected from big
companies)
19. Incorporate an economic
dimension into education
systems
Reform of the entire
purchasing procedures
Academic professional
coordination offices at
the institutional level
Reforms to allow higher
learning institutions to
respond more effectively
and quickly to economic
conditions
Use of social media to
reach youth.
Social entrepreneurship
communication and hubs,
reforms based on KPI to fight
corruption
Meritocracy
Push for a higher level of
transparency by using
social media to fight
corruption
Improve legal framework
and build capacities to
enhance social
entrepreneurship
Panel 3: "What is the role of civil society, think tanks and the business community in influencing policies? What
recommendations for advocacy and lobbying strategies?
This panel was launched by four short presentations. Ms. Laura Rice highlighted the importance of training through
electronic platforms and presented two websites that provide individual online training: "OpenCon" and "edx.org". Ms.
Farida Mansouri stressed the importance of engineering and the value of partnering with foreign universities (such as US
universities). Mr Noomen Lahimer acknowledged the importance of the presence of a third actor (civil society) in
circumstances where there is a lack of trust between the government and (part of) the population. Civil society
contributes to the democratic organization and to the economic and social progress of the country. As such, its role
should not be seen as promoting selfish interests, but rather as helping decision-makers to consider the needs of people
and find the best solutions to their problems. Mr. Dominik Westner mentioned that the word "lobbying" is a term with a
pejorative connotation, even in Germany, proposing instead the use of the expression "advocacy and participation" to
avoid negative prejudices.
Advocacy and lobbying strategy:
The participants stressed that a good advocacy and lobbying approach must be well-informed and well-studied, and
should take into consideration the following steps:
- Clear definition of objectives and expectedresults
- Stakeholder mapping
- Identification of partners and possible synergy with stakeholders and thinktanks
- Institutionalize regular contact, dialog and debate with partners and stakeholders aroundemployability
- Process monitoring using appropriate tools (Ex: GIZ tools)
The ideas proposed by the experts in terms of lobbying and advocacy are the following:
- Develop a methodology for lobbying and advocacy based on four steps:
1. Map out actors and stakeholders
2. Identify potential partners
3. Maintain regular dialogue with key actors
4. Continued monitoring
20. - Brand the MEF; Roundtables with key actors
- Outreach plan (sustainable network in the country: NGOs; clubs…)
- Storytelling method to share success stories and best practices
- Provide a platform for various actors including universities and private companies, in which the MEF will
act as a catalyst
- Use media and mass communication whenneeded
- Open events for actors and students
- A Maghreb network with sister organizations in the other Maghreb countries. A federative theme could be
“Solar energy or sustainable energy for the MaghrebRegion”.
- Revisit existing reports from the Tunisian state (draftedreforms)
- Dialogue with “stable” and permanentinstitutions
- Set up a lobbying action plan
- Use personal contacts among young politicians (deputies) at local and regionallevels
- Consider the political agenda (elections)
- Develop partnerships with “strong” actors
- Organize one-to-one meetings with key decision makers, drawing from the outcomes of and relationships
built during the workshops
- Put in place multi-actor hubs (e.g. in agriculturesector)
- Develop periodic publications (e.g. ranking indices of universities, privatecompanies…)
- Identify and analyze key actors and groups of interests in a constructive and supportivemanner
- Develop a business intelligence system: decision makers at regional and sectoriallevels
- Set up quick wins
- Develop partnerships with other think tanks both nationally and worldwide and encourage a collaborative
atmosphere
- Put in place a board of active experts and advisors who may play a lobbying role, including young
activists
- Learn from other organizations with similar advocacystrategies
- Use surveys to reinforce arguments
- Use participatory approaches with stakeholders
- Discuss issues with key actors and monitor specificindices
- Monitor economic and technologicaladvances
21. VI. Conclusion and key recommendations:
Participants concluded the discussion by emphasizing the importance of reforms and improving existing conditions to
improve employability in the three selected sectors. The main points made were the following:
- The importance of a systematic process of needs assessment in job creation niches through structured collaboration
with universities and R & D institutions.
- Need for collaboration between universities, public institutions and the private sector to promote employability.
- Education and skills are the key factors for employability; Actors must reduce the gap between educational and
vocational skills.
- Communication based on testimonials and best practices, particularly in agriculture, to promote best practices and
attract young people.
- Use of ICT in agriculture is required to attract younger generations.
- Importance of value chain analysis, instruments and employability mechanisms focus on the immense potential in the
three sectors
- Higher education and vocational training systems should be revised according to identified regional needs, analysis of
the local value chain and reduction of the gap between academic and vocationalskills.
- Need to design and implement initiatives that support startups and promote entrepreneurship through incentives and
technical assistance.
- Adapt the legal framework so that the state provides more coherent conditions in the sectors and sends a positive signal
that attracts and encourages young people to invest (eg, reduction of taxes for theER).
- Prepare conditions to better regionalize the market, given the small size of the Tunisian market.
All experts expressed a warm willingness to engage with the MEF in future actions. Below are the main promises
offered forward by the participants:
Personal commitment expressed by the experts:
- Dominic: Connection and networking with Germanorganizations
- Bechir: Peer review of policy paper
- Laura: Advice in gender and high educationtopics
- Farida: relation with OIT and agricultureadministration
- Mhamed: partnership MEF/ENERSOL on Green Jobs
- Karim: Knowledge sharing assessment with US TT in similarscopes
- Mohamed Louadi: Contribution as expert inICT
- Noomen: Policy paper review and sharing information
- Lazreg: Help in planning and facilitation ofevents
- Miled: Participation in MEF activities contributing to 30/30 targets and support of Sarah Toumi
initiatives
- Sarah: Involvement in the agricultural hub
22. VII. Overall evaluation: How far the objectives of the workshop were reached?
Figure 5. Participants' evaluation of the reaching of Workshop Objectives
23. Annex 1: Workshop Agenda and moderation plan
Wednesday, 27 July
Contributors Moderation methods
13:00 -15:00 Hotel check in and administrative arrangements with participants MEF Staff NA (Not Applicable)
15:00 – 16:00
5 min.
10 min.
10 min.
15 min.
20 min.
Opening session:
- Welcome address
- Introducing the background note
- Presentation of the Workshop objectives, agenda, the
methodology and the moderation team
- Keynote speech “Employability and Entrepreneurship in a
changing world: a personal story”
- Icebreaker
- Ines El Amri MEF
- Inna Rudolf / MEF
- Moderator: MounirMajdoub
- Moderator: MounirMajdoub
- Sarah Toumi; “Dream in
Tunisia and Acacias for all”
- Oral speech, and introduce the
moderators and announce video
interviews testimonies
- Oral speech
PPT support
- Icebreaker: who is who? And
why am I here? Presentation in
duet
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break and photo de groupe All participants Informal Networking
16:30 – 18:15 Discussion Panel
Challenges and policy trends: international lessons learned Debate
Moderator: M Majdoub
Panelists: Fethi Mansouri; Karim
Hamdy; Inna Rudolf (BMW
Foundation)
Panel discussion and interactions with
participants; specific questions to be
defined
18:15 – 18:30 Brief Summary and designation of the reporter for the day after
(see below)
Moderator Sami Marrouki Oral presentation
Evening: Dinner All participants Informal Networking
24. Thursday, 28 July
9:00 – 9:30 Recap of First Day- Common session and instructions for the second
day agenda
Moderator: M.Majdoub
One volunteer among the experts
designed the day before
Short presentation (free format) and
interaction with the participants
9:30 – 11:00 Working group (3 sectors)
What are the opportunities and the barriers for employability, best
practices and innovative policies and instruments?
Moderators: M. Majdoub; S. Marrouki World Café by sector: three tables of 6-7
participants each
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break All participants Informal Networking
11:30 – 12:30 Working Group continuation and end Moderators: M. Majdoub; S. Marrouki World Café, continuation and end.
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch All participants Informal Networking
14:00 – 16:30 Plenary discussion Presentation
of workinggroups
“Which best practices and innovative value added solutions from
abroad can be adapted to the Tunisian context?”
Moderator: S. Marrouki
Panelists: Mouldi Miled; Mohamed
Louadi; Neil Fourati
Panel discussion and interactions with
participants; specific questions to be
defined
15:00 – 16:30 Discussion
“How can the state improve conditions for start-up founders and
investors?”
Moderator: M. Majdoub Open discussion with participants;
specific questions to be defined
Leaving at 16:45: A guided tour in the Medina and Dinner All participants Informal Networking
25. Friday, 29 July
9:00 – 9:15 Recap of the second day and instructions for the third day agenda
9:15 – 10:30 Plenary session
“How can the state better reconcile globally emerging trends in job
creation with the needs of local communities?”
Moderators: M. Majdoub; S. Marrouki Open guided discussion
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break All participants Informal Networking
11:00 – 13:00 Plenary session
"Which specific structural reforms are needed and which legislative
policies are to be drafted by the parliament to implement the best
practices identified?"
Moderators: M. Majdoub; S. Marrouki Open guided discussion
13:00 –14:00 Lunch All participants Informal Networking
14:00 – 15:00 Plenary session: “What is the role of Civil Society, Think Tanks and
business community in influencing policies? Which lobbying and
advocacy recommendations?
Moderator: M. Majdoub
Panelists: Noômen Lahimer; Farida
Mansouri; Laura Rice; Dominik
Westner
Panel discussion and interactions with
participants; specific questions to be
defined
15:00 –15:30 Coffee Break All participants Informal Networking
15:30 – 17:00 Plenary Session: Continuation Moderator: S. Marrouki Open discussion with participants;
specific questions to be defined
17:00 – 18:00 Evaluation of workshop
- Feedback discussion
- My commitments for the future
- Summary of key points of workshop
- Last words by the Organizer
Moderators: M Majdoub; S. Marrouki
MEF representative
Interactive evaluation
Short oral presentation
Evening: Farewell Dinner (at the hotel) All participants Informal Networking
26. Annex 2: Experts and moderators’ short biographies
Mounir Majdoub is consultant and facilitator. Born at Tunis in 1959, Mounir Majdoub is a Senior
Economist. Secretary of State in charge of environment and sustainable development in the
Tunisian Government from January 2014 to February 2015. Presently freelance consultant and
facilitator. He began his professional career in 1982 at the Tunisian Ministry of National Economy
as energy economist. In 1985, he was part of the founding team of the National Energy Efficiency
Agency (First Energy Efficiency governmental body in the Arab World). In 1992, he served as senior
advisor to the Minister of Environment. Since October 1993, he works as consultant for
organizations of international development cooperation such UNDP, USAID, AfDB, UN-ESCWA,
UNOPS, FAO, and GIZ where he occupied for more than 15 years the position of senior
environmental policy technical advisor. His experience covers several domains: energy planning,
urban policy, environmental and sustainable development policies. He has a high level of
qualification as trainer and facilitator/moderator. Member of the Strategic Orientation Committee
of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) and founder of the Tunisian NGO “ALTERNATIVES”.
Sami Marrouki, is energy engineer since 1989. With more than 25 years of experience in both public
and private sectors, he is a technical expert in energy efficiency and renewable energies and
specialist of policies and strategies in energy conservation with their institutional and regulatory
frames. Mr. MARROUKI managed the PROSOL program, and was the executive Director of MEDREC
from 2003 to 2008; he is the GM of ECO-Ser, a specialized consultancy firm in energy and
environment fields and CEO of ETI a start-up in industrial enabling process. Mr. MARROUKI is IRCA
auditor and third party lead auditor for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. Mr. MARROUKI is,
also specialist in CSR, insurers the position of General Secretary of the development NGO
“Alternatives” and President of the Tunisian CSR Institute (IRSET) in Tunisia.
He is professional moderator according to GIZ requirements since 2010.
Neil Fourati is an agronomist graduated from Montpellier SupAgro, France. He also holds an
Executive MBA from the Mediterran School of Business in Tunis. Since 2014 he is Coordinator of a
rural development project at the German Cooperation in Tunisia where he is in charge of value
chains’ development in the disadvantaged areas of Northern west Tunisia. The objective of the
project is mainly to create new job opportunities for youth and to develop entrepreneurship
environment in rural areas.
Before that, he has been responsible for rural development projects in Sub- Saharan African countries
for 10 years in an international consulting company. He also provides consulting services in the agri-
business sector in Tunisia and abroad.
27. Noômen Lahimer is an Assistant Professor of Economics and particularly passionate about
entrepreneurship. He holds a Ph.D. and Master graduate in Economics from Univesité Paris-
Dauphine, France. Formerly, Dr. Lahimer occupied several research- teaching positions at Saint
John’s University New-York (Paris-Campus), Université Paris- Dauphine and Ecole Supérieure des
Affaires de Paris. Dr. Lahimer research activities are focused on solutions to poverty, starting
from foreign investment, to social entrepreneurship and microfinance. Currently, Noômen
Lahimer is the Director of the SMU Innovation Lab (MSB & MedTech), which aims at developing
entrepreneurship in the university. Finally, Noômen Lahimer has recently founded Evey Technologies,
a start-up that develops a multi-sided social platform for real time e-votes and surveys with
automated data analytics.
Sarah Toumi is a social entrepreneur, founder of Dream in Tunisia and Acacias for all. Involved in non-
profits since the youngest age in France and MENA region, she started her first organization at the
age of 11 in her grandparents’ village, Bir Salah in
Tunisia. Then, she founded DREAM, an incubator for social and environmental projects while she was
a student at Sorbonne University in Paris and worked with many NGOs
as a consultant. In 2012, she came in Tunisia to start Dream in Tunisia and Acacias for all with the
vision that one day, Tunisia will have overpass its problems by offering access to fair opportunities to
youth, women and farmers of rural areas. Sarah is Ashoka Fellow,
Echoing Green Fellow, and in the Top 30 under 30 Social entrepreneurs of the
famous Forbes magazine.
Farida Mansouri graduated in 1992, Geomatics and Soil Science Engineer from the
Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Rabat, Morocco, Farida
occupied several positions, including the post as a director of an entirely exporter
agronomic production company in Morocco, and has been a Senior Engineer in charge
of the geographical information systems unit at Kairouan Regional Development
Agriculture Department (CRDA) in Tunisia, and the project regional digital map
coordinator. In 2005, Farida was promoted as a head master of the District of Studies
and Agriculture Statistics, andthe
chief of the technical office at the CRDA. In 2010, she was nominated as the chief of organic farming district. Since 2013, she
became the Director of soil district as a chief engineer.
For more than twenty years, Engineer Farida took many training sessions at a national and international level in geographic
information systems, remote sensing and treatment of digital databases, strategic planning, and participated at several
national and international projects and presented results in national and international forums. She is also mentoring and
framing students in lessons sealstudies.
In 2010, Ms. Farida was selected to represent the Deanship engineers Tunisians in the first conference of the Arab Women
engineered in Amman, Jordan. She has also been elected among the members of the senior voters Deanship where she obtained
the first place in the elections in the two sessions of 2009 and 2014. In
2011, she was chosen to participate within the first delegation as a Tunisian representative for the program of women
technology, TechWomen, in the United States of America.
Currently she operates in the rank of assistant clerk of the Board of Dean, carrying several positions with national and regional
associations, in addition to the Activity poetry in Arabic and French writing scalped.
28. Mohamed Louadi, a University Professor of Management Information Systems (MIS) at the
University of Tunis, Higher Institute of Management (ISG), has published in several IS and
Management journals and participated in numerous international conferences covering topics
related to the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and MIS. He is the
author of three books on ICT and MIS. Throughout his career, he has held research and teaching
positions at the University of Pittsburgh (US), the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (Canada),
Concordia University (Canada), the Higher Colleges of Technology (Dubai), and the American
University of Beirut (Lebanon).
A. Karim Hamdy is a Tunisian-American instructor and researcher based at Oregon State
University (OSU). He is the founding director of the OSU Study Abroad Program in Tunis (2004-
2011). He is a former director of the American Overseas Research Center in Tunis (CEMAT). He
has been technical advisor to a Tunisian industrial group (quarries, minerals, logistics,
contracting) on strategy and social media marketing. With an advanced degree in
civil/environmental engineering and training in cross-cultural communication, Karim’s research
interests are in International Relations, in North African and Middle Eastern
Cultures and Politics, in Environment & Development, as well as in Arab and Muslim minority issues in the US. He translates
novels, poetry, plays, and technical reports, between French, Arabic and English. He is currently working on two research
projects: a paper on “Black Consciousness in Recent Tunisian Poetry”, and a book chapter on “Precariat: The Contingent
Economy in Higher Education in the US.”
Mohamed Jouneidi ABDERRAZAK is working as a Director in charge of Economic Studies in the
Ministry of Industry since 2010. He has more than 15 years’ experience in the areas of economic
and strategic studies, meso and macro analysis, statistics and monitoring in the sectors Energy,
Manufacturing and Mining.
In 2000, he got an engineer-economist diploma in the field of rural and agrofood economy. In
2013, he obtained an MBA in business strategy from ISC of Paris and a Master Degree from
University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (France) in sustainable development
engineering.
Mouldi Miled is Co-founder of the Desertec Foundation and Co-founder and Executive Director of
the Desertec University Network, a network of universities and research facilities around the
Mediterranean, which decided to cooperate in order to develop and disseminate the necessary
know-how for the realization of the Desertec vision. Mouldi Miled has founded and managed
various enterprises, notably in the telecommunications, IT and the energy sector. He is also
member of the Tunisian National Advisory Council for Scientific Research, Technology, and Head
of the ICT and Energy division within the Consulting Board.
29. Professor Fethi Mansouri holds the UNESCO Chair in comparative research on ‘Cultural Diversity
and Social Justice’ and an Alfred Deakin Research Chair in migration and intercultural studies.
Professor Mansouri is the Director of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and
Globalization at Deakin University- Australia. He is the editor of the Journal of Intercultural
Studies, founding Editor- in- Chief of the journal of citizenship and Globalization Studies and
founding co- editor of the international journal of Social Inclusion. Since 2010, Professor has
been serving as an expert advisor to the UN on cultural diversity, intercultural relations and the
role of ‘culture’ as the fourth pillar for sustainable development.
His most influential books include: ‘Islam and Political Violence: Muslim Diaspora and
Radicalism in the West’, (2007); ‘Political Islam and Human Security’ (2008);
‘Identity, Education, and Belonging: Arab and Muslim Youth in Contemporary Australia’ (2008); ‘Youth Identity and
Migration: Culture, Values and Social Connectedness’ (2009); ‘Australia and the Middle East: A Frontline Relationship’ (2011,
second edition); and ‘Migration, Citizenship and Intercultural Relations: Looking Through the Lens of Social Inclusion’ (2011).
His most recent books include: ‘Muslims in the West and the Challenges of Belonging’ (2012); ‘The Arab Revolutions in Context:
Civil Society and Democracy in a Changing Middle East’ (2012); ‘Global Perspectives on the Politics of Multiculturalism’ (2014)
and ‘The Multicultural Challenge’ (2015). Professor Mansouri’s 2004 book ‘Lives in Limbo: Voices of Refugees under
Temporary Protection’ was short-listed for the 2004 Human Rights Medals and Awards.
Bechir Bouzid, is currently a Program Manager at the World Bank, Washington D.C. since June
2012. Before joining the WB, he has worked for 8 years at the United Nations in NY in the
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Governance and Public Administration Division) and
in the International Civil Service Commission. Bechir Bouzid has a Ph.D. from the University of
Paris IX Dauphine in Economics and International Finance and has also earned a graduate
degree in Public Policy from Science-Po Paris (jointly with New York University). He has published
academic articles in multiple peer reviewed journals in Economics and Political Science.
M’hamed Bouaoune, has a BS in Computer Science and Applied Maths (Grenoble 1984), a
Diploma in Commerce from the City of London Polytechnic (1987) and an MBA in
Management of Information Systems and Finance from Georges Washington University
(1990). Mr. Bouaoune developed and implemented a strategy aimed at introducing “the
American style management” in the “Mohsen Trabelsi’s” private company (1991). From
1992 to 2004, he was working with the One Tech technology driven private group. He is the
co-founder of JINENE, Oued Zarga- Beja, a founding member of PNB NAPEO (2011), a Board
member of the Tunisian British Friendship Association (1994-2010) and a co-organiser of the
biannual International Expo EnerSol- Energy Solutions. He is also the founder of
the consulting firm V&H P – Vertical & Horizontal Partnership, and the founder of a Think Tank- DD4C, Digital Dividend For
Carthage (2005). Mr.Bouaoune has more than 10 years of experience with the Quality Assurance System certifications’
company.
30. Laura Rice, professor emerita of comparative literature at Oregon State University, is a
reseracher, writer, translator, and activist interested in cross- cultural relations, academic
exchange and social justice in an international context. Her research areas include North
African literature, gender, and literacy, as well as women’s role in sustainable development.
Recent publications on Tunisia are Revolutions in Tunisian Poetry (2015), Of Irony and
Empire: Islam, the West, and the Transcultural Invention of Africa” (2007), and co-authored
articles on “Tunisia” for Greenwood Encyclopedia of Women’s Lives Worldwide
(forthcoming), folk poetry and resistance (2015), and women and literacy (2008). She
designed and conducted, as Principal Investigator,
several federally-funded R&D projects on and in Tunisia, with funding from the NEH, Fulbright/US Department of Education,
and from the US Department of State. She also served as in-country director, in Tunis, of the regional conference on “Women,
the Law and Development in the Arab Region,” in preparation for the UN Beijing Summit on Women.
Annette Kaiser, she is an adviser, head of the German Cooperation. Embassy of the Federal Republic of
Germany.
Dominik Westner, is the co-founder of COLORIMETRIX. He is also the CTO and founder of Scoreloop AG
(2008-2014). Mr. Dominik is also the founder of Logic United GMBH. He was a technical manager in
Apple Computer GMBH (1997-2001) and before that a systems engineer in Next Software GMBH (1996-
1997).