Kick Off: New Arab-European Civil Society Dialogue

Arab and German experts at Berlin panel discussion The promotion of a political dialogue between members of civil societies in Europe and the Arab world is an important objective of the project work of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Together with liberal political parties NGOs pushing a liberal agenda are the main partners of the Foundation in this part of the world. In cooperation with the Foundation these groups are striving for more freedom of expression, the rule of law and the freedom of assembly and association – to name but the most important political rights.

“The Freedom of Association is a precondition for non-violent political participation and thus also political reforms”, argues Dr. Ronald Meinardus, FNF’s Regional Director in Cairo. For several years, the Foundation has sponsored a regional project aimed at promoting the freedom of association in selected Arab states. Members of the recently established Arab Council for the Freedom of Association have now participated in a visiting program to Germany sponsored by FNF: In Berlin, the delegation got a first-hand and in depth overview of the constitutional, legal and also political handling of this basic political right in Germany. The Arab NGO leaders spoke with government officials, police officers, legal experts, party politicians and civil society members.

“If you look at the texts, our constitutions are very similar”, said Dr. Arous Zoubeir from Algeria. “The main difference between Germany and our part of the world is that in Germany the constitution is applied. This is not the case in our countries.”

Not a One-Time Event

Working Groups at Potsdam conference Following the program in Berlin, the group joined an international conference at the Foundation’s headquarters titled “Civil Society in Europe and the Arab World – Towards a Sustainable Dialogue”. That this dialogue should not be a one-time-event was highlighted by Manfred Richter, Member of FNF’s Board of Directors. Speaking at the opening of the conference, Richter suggested that the European-Dialogue would be held annually at different locations. Promoting civil society – the FNF official added – is not a “temporary mood, but a central component of liberal philosophy”.

Speakers from Europe and the Arab world stressed that civil society entails a normative - value-based – component. The German historian  Arnd Bauerkämper mentioned tolerance, plurality and liberty as such norms. In order to prosper, the scholar added, civil society needs the support and also the protection of the state.

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