As part of a three year joint project between the Arab Partnership Fund, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the UK Liberal Democrats, a strategic roundtable will be held at our Party conference in Brighton to discuss a roadmap for advancing a progressive agenda in Tunisia and more generally across the Middle East. Youth and female members of liberal political parties have been invited to apply to participate in the roundtable discussion and, although the focus will be on Tunisia, people from all liberal parties across Middle East have been encouraged to apply.

The aim is to build upon the core values of equal representation, rule of law, social and economic freedoms and respect for individual liberties. Whilst the challenging and relatively new political dynamics that is unveiling after the new Arab Uprising are recognised, it is intended to support and learn from our partners/liberal friends in the region to help advance new and emerging democracies that strive for similar ideological objectives.

Delegates to our conference will have the chance to experience work of our political party, see our party’s internal mechanisms and participate in workshops on strengthening youth employment, progression of women’s rights, widening access to education and others. This will hopefully help them to develop a clear understanding of the British political system, and inspire you to progressively strengthen the values of free and open society.

There will also be an opportunity to meet and talk with members of the Liberal Democrats in Parliament as well as senior ministers in Government. The Liberal Democrats want to learn how we as a party can help establish a continuous dialogue with our sister parties across the countries of the MENA region.

The programme will include a fringe event where delegates will get the opportunity to share liberal views on the situation of women and youth in the context of the Arab uprisings, as well as a half day strategic workshop on how to communicate for a progressive reform agenda in Tunisia.

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