Online public debate: Engaging citizens for democracy in the Mediterranean16.03.2021

Following the last online public debates on our common destiny, environmental engagement and Mediterranean civil society’s challenges, Med Dialogue for Rights and Equality EU-Programme is organizing the next public session of a series of online public debates on civil society’s challenges in the region on March 12^th, 2021 at 5.00 pm (CET).

“Engaging citizens for democracy in the Mediterranean” will be the topic of this online debate.

This debate will address opportunities and challenges of CSOs working beyond borders for the cause of democracy in the Mediterranean, focusing on the political context and CSO strengths and weaknesses.

The discussion panel will gather Ms. Bochra Bel Haj Hmida, Head of “Individual Freedoms and Equality Committee” (COLIBE), Tunisia; Mr. Jerzy Pomianowski, Executive Director of European Endowment for Democracy; Ms. Yara Shawky Shahin, Political Scientist, Egypt; Mr. Maher Issa, General Director of Civitas Institute, Palestine as well as Mr. Mahmoud Hadhoud, “Ida2at” Media Website.

The debate will address issues such as: civil society’s achievements for democracy in the region; how to challenge external pressures to silence and de-legitimize CSOs through defamatory narratives, suppression and a shrinking civic environment; challenges of internal governance with regards to credibility, transparency, and accountability towards the community.

It is recalled that this series of online debates is held within the framework of the Med Dialogue’s online publication “Bridging the sea: A review of Mediterranean civil society” which was released on February 18^th 2021, and exploring the work and role of Mediterranean civil society networks and entities, working in the region on different topics (i.e.: migration, human rights, cultural understanding, environment). The debates’ topics are the following:

• 1^st Public debate on “A Mediterranean common vision” (January 13, 2021)
• 2^nd Public debate on “Environmental engagement in the Mediterranean” (January 29, 2021)
• 3^rd Public debate on “Civil society in action: lessons from the Mapping survey” (February 18, 2021)
• 4^th Public debate on “Engaging citizens for democracy in the Mediterranean” (March 12, 2021)
• 5^th Public debate on “Successes and failures of regional advocacy action” (April, 2021)
• 6^th Public debate on “Achieving sustainability in civil society work” (April, 2021)

Practical information:

The debate will last 90 minutes, and would be held in English, with Arabic and French translation for the registered organizations/ persons. The debate will be hosted on Zoom and also broadcasted live on Facebook.

Only registered participants before March 11, 2021, at 12.00 pm (CET) will have access to Zoom platform and take advantage of the translation service provided, except for media actors who will have an unlimited access. Meanwhile, the rest of the participants may follow the debate on Facebook live and interact directly with speakers by writing comments and questions.

Registration form for participants

Med Dialogue for Rights and Equality is a 3-year (2019-2022) EU-funded technical assistance regional programme with the overall objective to strengthen the role of CSOs active at the regional scale, in building sustainable development, regional cohesion and social resilience, as well as influencing policy-making in the South end Neighborhood and the Euro-Mediterranean region.

For more information, please contact gianluca.solera@particip.com, Med Dialogue for Rights and Equality team leader.

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