VOX ON

Parlez-vous Français? – Language, Identity, and Democracy in West and North Africa

In many West and North African countries, French remains more than just a relic of colonial times – it is a language of everyday life, administration, and often a unifying element between ethnic groups that speak different mother tongues. Countries such as Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Tunisia, and Morocco use French not only as an official or educational language but also as a medium for public discourse.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is also active in this linguistically and culturally diverse region – with offices in Rabat, Tunis, Dakar, and Abidjan. These regional offices serve target groups that speak both French and Arabic – with varying emphasis depending on the country and context. Their work clearly shows: language is not just a tool for communication but also a carrier of identity, world-view, and cultural self-understanding.

Decades of local engagement and strong intercultural competence enable the foundation to build trusted partnerships with civil society. This is the only way to achieve meaningful and sustainable development cooperation.

Especially when it comes to social and political issues, language is key. People often prefer to engage with complex topics in their native language. To capture the real tone – the so-called “original sound” – it is best to listen in the language of the speaker. This approach brings forth authentic perspectives that are not diluted or altered by translation.

With this understanding in mind, the VOX ON project was born – an initiative by the FNF that gives voice to citizens in North and West Africa. The name says it all: the voice is “switched on,” and people speak for themselves. Unscripted, unfiltered, and full of the diversity and vitality that freedom of expression brings.

Young or old, women or men – people from Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Tunisia, and Senegal share what democracy means to them in VOX ON. Their responses are as diverse as their life experiences. Some talk about political participation, others about social justice – and freedom is a recurring theme. What unites all contributions is their authenticity and courage to speak openly – even in social contexts where free expression is not always taken for granted.

VOX ON is more than just a media project. It represents a liberal understanding of democracy: everyone has the right to speak – and to be heard. All contributions are presented in their original language – in French or Arabic – to stay close to the people and preserve their perspectives.

The idea for VOX ON was born during a collaborative workshop in Dakar. Regional FNF offices from Rabat, Abidjan, Tunis, Berlin, Dakar, and Johannesburg took part. Together, they developed a format that makes diversity visible – and asks a vital question:

And for you – what does democracy mean?