Tunisia: NPWJ fosters youth participation in Transitional Justice

Tunis, 9 February 2013


 
On 8 February 2013, the Association Bus Citoyen, Al Kawakibi Democracy Transition Center, No Peace Without Justice and UNDP concluded in Bizerte, Tunisia, a training course of youth with 17 participants. The two-day long training, which was held within the framework of the Transitional Justice Academy, involved a group of youth between 20 and 30 years old coming from various governorates and cities throughout the country, including Ben Arous, Gafsa, Hidra, Jendouba, Monastir, Nabeul, Seliana, Sfax, Sidi Bouzid, Sousse, Tunis.
 
The two Tunisian experts who conducted the training had also taken part in a number of activities under the Academy, including the Trainer of Trainers held on 31 January-4February 2012. The trainers engaged youth on the basic concepts of transitional justice and the draft legislation on this topic, which has been submitted to the National Constituent Assembly for discussion. In each session, after an initial presentation from the trainers, participants continued discussions on the various topics in working groups, presented to the plenary the main issues raised, brainstormed on a number of transitional justice issues and conducted practical exercises.
 
This training was specifically dedicated to youth and it was designed to enhance their knowledge on transitional justice and participation in such mechanisms. Despite the fact that youth comprise a powerful sector of society and remain the greatest hope in laying the foundations for a more just and democratic society, they are very often not involved in transitional justice processes. Their involvement in transitional mechanisms is crucial to ensure that a new culture based on the rule of law can flourish in a country that has experienced decades of regime.
 
With the Association Bus Citoyenne, in the coming months the group of youth who participated in the training will travel by bus throughout the whole country to sensitise Tunisians on a number of issues, including transitional justice. Their initiative will contribute to spread further a culture of accountability and redress for victims that will support the Tunisian democratic transition.
 
Documentation:

 
 
For further information, please contact Greta Barbone on gbarbone@npwj.org or +216 28385079 or Nicola Giovannini on ngiovannini@npwj.org or +32 (0)2 548-39 15.
 
For more information about NPWJ and KADEM’s work on transitional justice in Tunisia, please click here