THE TUNISIAN EXCEPTION
A Nobel for the Future of Democracy in the Arab World
Traditions and Boundaries Lectures Series – T.A.B.Le.S.*
Rome, 24th of November 2015
LUISS Guido Carli University of Rome
Viale Romania 32, 00197, Rome, Italy
Room 305 a/b 11.00 – 18.00
11.00-13.00: Opening session
The Nobel Peace Prize Awarded To Tunisian Civil Society
An Opportunity for The Arab World and for Europe
Welcome addresses and introduction:
Giancarlo Bosetti | Director, Reset-DoC
Introduction : Francesca M. Corrao | Director Master MISLAM – LUISS
Opening speeches :
Rafik Abdessalam | Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ennahdha Party, Tunisia
Bochra Belhaj Hmida | M.P. and Member of the Executive Committee of Nidaa Tounes Party, Tunisia
Emma Bonino | Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italy
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14.00-15.45 Second Session
Tunisian Democracy Between Compromise and Struggle for Dignity
A Success Story Explained
Opening address : Leonardo Morlino | Vice-Rector (Research), LUISS University
Mohamed Haddad | President, Observatoire arabe des religions et des libertés, Tunisia
Slaheddine Jourchi | Intellectual and Human Rights Activist, Tunisia
Ferida Labidi | M.P. and Former Member of the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia and the President of its Commission for Rights and Freedoms
Renata Pepicelli | Lecturer, LUISS University
Chair : Sergio Fabbrini | Director, LUISS School of Government
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15.45-16.00 Coffee Break
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16.00-18.00 Third Session
Tunisia: A Model for Arab and Mediterranean Democracies?
Future Challenges in Tunisia and the Role of the International Community
Ridha Tlili | Professor, University of Tunis and President, Ahmed Tlili Foundation for Democratic Culture, Tunis
Mohamed Jouili | Director, Observatoire National de la Jeunesse, Tunisia
Mohamed Tahar Jouini | UGTT Trade Union, Tunisia
Fabio Petito | Professor, University of Sussex
Chair: Carmela Decaro | Professor of Comparative Law – LUISS University
Closing remarks: Giancarlo Bosetti | Director, Reset-DoC
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The debate will be attended by:
Hon. Imen Ben Mohammed | Member of The People’s Representatives Assembly, Tunisia
Reset-Dialogues on Civilizations and LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome are organizing a conference in Rome on “The Tunisian Exception. A Nobel for the Future of Democracy in the Arab World”. The organizers’ aim is to capture the attention of the Italian and European public opinion on Tunisia’s fundamental experience in the wake of the Nobel Peace Prize that has highlighted the capacity of the Tunisian society and politics to overcome the critical moments of the past years with a crucial agreement among secular and religious political movement and thanks to the very important role played by an active and resolute civil society. Although Tunisia is still threatened by a severe economic crisis, unemployment and regional instability, this country – an exception among all those countries which have experienced revolts and “Arab springs” since 2011 – has managed to avoid the spread of social and terrorist violence on the one hand, to approve a democratic and modern constitution and to embark on comprehensive although not always successful reform programs and on the other hand, achievements supported by free and fair elections and by a very lively public debate. Which are the specific reasons and features of Tunisia’s ‘success story’? Which internal and regional challenges is this country still facing? Will the Tunisian experience serve as a model for other countries in the Arab world and other countries in the Mediterranean region? And which role should Europe and the international community play with regards to Tunisia’s exceptional although still fragile democratic transition? Speakers from Tunisia and Europe with different political and academic backgrounds will tackle these questions and many more on this occasion of dialogue and mutual learning on November 24th, 2015.
The audio/video recording of the conferenze is available here:
An event organized by Reset-Dialogues on Civilizations, LUISS Guido Carli-Department of Political Sciences and LUISS Guido Carli School of Government
Conveners of the conference:
Giancarlo Bosetti | Director, Reset-Dialogues on Civilizations
Francesca Corrao | Director, Master MISLAM, TABLES – LUISS
Sergio Fabbrini | Director, LUISS School of Government
Renata Pepicelli | Lecturer, LUISS Guido Carli University