Middle East and North Africa
We are an open house for innovation and a global liberal think tank, dedicated to promoting the values and principles of freedom worldwide. Through our activities and publications, we empower individuals to exercise their right to political participation. Our offices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operate within the framework of freedom and human rights, adapting to each country’s unique context. Based in Amman, Jordan, FNF MENA drives three key programs that foster cross-country cooperation: MENA-NET, MENA-EU, and MENA-GEOPOL. We advise, inspire, and engage key stakeholders, developing and advocating solutions that strengthen individual freedom and responsibility.
News
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Statement on the Terrorist Attack on a Church in Al-Karak
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom condemns the attack on a church in Al-Karak and offers its condolences to the families of the victims. The teaser is short enough to also work as the page’s meta description in search results, which allows about 155 characters. It refers to condolences, so it only fits if you add the condolence line to the website text. If the web version stays the same as the post, use this instead: The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom condemns the attack on a church in Al-Karak and reaffirms its commitment to peaceful coexistence in Jordan.
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Upcoming Israeli Elections
Israel goes to the polls on October 27, and it is still unclear whether the opposition will manage to replace Netanyahu, as his political bloc is expected to receive only around 50 seats out of a 120.
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Five Political Groups, Two Draft Laws, One Parliament: The EU–MENA Simulation
23 young leaders from seven MENA countries took the seats of MEPs in Amman, debating and voting on two draft laws on refugee protection and immigration.
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The AfD Won in Saxony-Anhalt. The Wrong Lesson Is That Germany Has Closed Its Doors.
The AfD’s result in Saxony-Anhalt has renewed debate about migration, government performance and the direction of German politics. Beyond the election itself, the result raises questions about why simple answers are gaining support for complex problems.
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Staying Connected
From 19–24 July, 26 IAF alumni reunited in Jordan to explore what makes networks last: trust, shared values, and the courage to keep building bridges across borders and change.
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From Hurmuz to Tunis: How a Distant War Could Shake Tunisia´s Economy
What happens in the Strait of Hormuz may seem far removed from everyday life in Tunisia. Yet a disruption in one of the world’s most strategic energy corridors could drive up fuel prices, increase inflation, strain public finances, and affect the cost of living for millions of Tunisians. As regional tensions raise concerns about global energy markets, this article explores why a conflict thousands of kilometres away could have very real consequences at home and why Tunisia’s energy transition has become an economic necessity rather than simply an environmental choice.
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SheLeads Initiative Hosts High-Level Panel and Training Session on “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in the Age of AI”
As part of the SheLeads initiative, women entrepreneurs from across MENA came together for a full day of training and discussion on how AI is shaping the future of business and innovation in the region.
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Free Connected Minds Conference 2020
The Free Connected Minds (FCM) conference aims at exploring, through interactive debates and panels, a fresh set of ideas on the impact of the digital era on politics, culture, economics and social relations. The conference raises as a main topic, the impact of ever-changing innovative social and digital media on the present and future of humankind.
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This is NauHaus
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About the Location of NauHaus
The NauHaus is situated in Jabal Amman, the heart of the capital that began beating long before the Kingdom of Jordan was founded. Jabal Amman is one of Amman’s seven major hills (“Jabal” in Arabic), with a subtle and dynamic architecture, overlooking Downtown.
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About NauHaus
The NauHaus is the new home for ideas in Amman! For the first time ever, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has actively searched for and purchased a building to make it entirely their own, sending the clear message – We are here to stay!
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The Window is Closing Quickly for Iran's Foreign Minister
Joe Biden’s victory in last November’s U.S. presidential elections signified, above all else, the end of the Trump era. This in itself is certainly sufficient for other countries to view the White House differently. For the Islamic Republic of Iran, the ensuing new era has been perceived as an opportunity to get rid of Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign and its crippling sanctions.
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Who is Qualified for the Job?
“I am not qualified for this job”.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said it in 1989 in a closed-door session of the Assembly of Experts who gathered to elect the successor of Ayatollah Khomeini. Although the Speaker of Parliament Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has expressed that Ali Khamenei was the choice of the founding father, a leaked video from 1989 reveals that Khamenei was selected to be the interim Supreme Leader for a period of one year. -
Earn your License to Drive Change in the MENA Region
What comes to your mind when you read Rethink Politics in MENA? Keep in mind that this is where your role comes in. Think about it… Is it threats against democracy? Gaps in the health and education systems? Possibly market and economic deficiencies? Or maybe threats against development? [...] The 5 Ws with Dirk Kunze, Regional Director, FNF MENA
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#InnovatingPolitics is What we Need in the MENA Region!
FNF MENA has been organizing for two consecutive years now its annual Innovation in Politics Forum. Between the Beirut and Amman editions, the aim was to create an annual experimental journey to expose groundbreaking political work - from new methodologies to the use of technology in politics.
Social Media
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البطالة مش حجة... خليك قوي!! Unemployment is no excuse... Be strong!!
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شخصيات بتحكي وجع الناس… وبتكشف قصص الشباب. Characters that reflect people’s struggles… and reveal the stories of youth. الموسيقيون اللي حوّلوا الألم لإيقاع. The musicians who turned pain into rhythm. “في انتظار وظيفة” هو أحد عروض مشروع مسرح ناومن المكان اللي فيه الفن بصير صوت وحكاية. “Waiting for a Job” is one of the performances under the Naumann Theater Project where art becomes a voice and a story. 19/12-Amman Academy Theater at 8:30 PM
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Naumann Theatre is an initiative supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation aiming to use theatre as a space to open dialogue about real social issues that young people experience Through this project we work with a group of young people to give them the chance to express themselves through theatrical performances that can deliver a message and create impact Our first theatrical production is Waiting for a Job a play that tackles a topic deeply felt in our society It tells the story of youth searching for opportunities-the dreams that keep getting delayed and the psychological and social pressures that come with limited prospects Our goal isn't just to present an artistic performance Our goal is to spark a real conversation How does unemployment affect young people? What are the solutions? And how can we create a supportive environment and better opportunities for the future? This is Naumann Theatre... a space where we speak, listen, and try to shape a new path through the power of art.
