Forward Thinking hold meetings in Kairouan and Tunis, 07-10 July 2014

On the week beginning 07th July Forward Thinking travelled to Tunisia to take place in roundtable workshops in Kairouan and Tunis. Forward Thinking were invited to observe the workshop in Kairouan, which brought together civil society activists from across the political spectrum. The purpose of the meeting was to try and devise a common platform for action to promote the economic development of the region. Across the course of discussions, participants agreed to put aside political differences and come together to work on several projects, such as supporting the establishment of an organisation to help train local women in the creation of handicrafts.Whilst in Kairouan Forward Thinking were given a tour of the city, to meet with local initiatives attempting to regenerate tourism. These meetings illuminated some of the difficulties facing the interior of the country but also highlighted how civil society has grown and developed since 2011 to try and meet some of these challenges.As part of the Tunisian Political Pluralism Dialogue Process, Forward Thinking also convened a cross-party workshop in Tunis that brought together senior politicians to discuss the challenges posed by elections. Across the course of discussions it was recognised that elections faced several challenges, particularly that low voter turn-out could damage the process. All parties agreed there was a vital need to enhance efforts to register voters,with concerns raised that the period for registration would close in two weeks and that turnout had thus far been disappointing.