National Debate Forum in Tunisia: Accelerating Global Action for Agenda 2030

The Young Mediterranean Voices programme is organising a month-long, region-wide initiative of debate competitions and national dialogue forums in October-November in 8 Southern Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia).

In Tunisia, the Forum will take place from 31 October to 2 November in Tunis (Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts - Beit El Hikma - 31 Oct and 2 Nov; Centre International de Formation des Formateurs et Innovation Pédagogique - CIIFFIP - 1 Nov) and will involve high-level representatives such as the former Belgian Prime Minister (2008-2009-2011), Mr. Yves Leterme, in a policy dialogue centred on electoral systems on Saturday 2 November (9.00-12.30).

These 3-day Forums, coordinated by the Anna Lindh Foundation and the British Council, are the culmination of the ‘Young Mediterranean Voices’ programme, funded by the European Commission (DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations) and co-funded by the Government of Finland, World Bank Group and the British Council. They will also include Virtual Exchange workshops, and panel discussions in collaboration with the EU Delegation, the Anna Lindh Foundations’ networks, and national/local authorities.

The Forums represent a central contribution of Mediterranean youth to lead and drive the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development. An affiliated region-wide campaign under the title of: #YoungMedVoices2030, has been launched to empower Mediterranean youth in accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

More than 500 young people from the Mediterranean region will be involved in these activities, that will take place across eight Southern Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia.

Each debate will feature teams of young debaters that have participated in local trainings to enhance their dialogue and debate skills and grounded in critical thinking. Debaters will present evidence to validate their arguments for or against a policy motion linked to a specific SDG, related to their country and reality.

In particular, motions will be linked to quality education, reducing inequalities, decent work and economic growth, climate action and peace, justice and strong institutions. More broadly, all motions will connect to Goal 17 on “Partnerships for the Goals” and on how to partner with youth as drivers and catalysers of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Issues, arguments and policy recommendations will be captured and presented as a main output of the Forums.