TUNIS - "The role of the civil society and the international organisations in boosting the process of democratic transition in Tunisia" was the subject of a meeting-debate held on Thursday at the premises of the centre for the study of islam and democracy (CSID-Tunisie) in Tunis, with the collaboration of the Arab world democrats' network. Suhaib Albarzinji, Executive Director of the network and civil society activist lectured on the role of the civil society with the advent of Revolutions in Arab states, saying that the civil society remains absent in the region and not very influential on the course of events.
It is necessary, he declared, to work out a new conception of the civil society in the Arab countries with new tools and views that meet the expectations and aspirations of Arab citizens and especially youths who are capable of preserving gains against possible regression.
He also warned against the breakdown in trust in the relationship between citizens and civil society resulting from a long legacy of despotism and dictatorship, stressing that intolerance represents the major obstacle to the achievement of progress on solid bases.
The civil society organisations must, he added, define priorities and work out concrete schedules for reform and change in Arab states.
The network of democrats in the Arab world is an independent organisation set up in 2007 with offices in Morocco, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.
It now numbers 2000 members operating in the fields of exchange of experience and expertise among civil society organisations.
© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2011
