A new model for Mediterranean Relations - Third South-North Mediterranean Congress

The South-North Mediterranean Dialogue Congress taking place in Tunis on 7 June aims to revitalise Mediterranean relations and encourage a more active participation of civil society in political and decision-making processes at all levels. This joint initiative of the European Movement International and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which began in 2004, will bring together representatives of Mediterranean civil society and public authorities to reopen the debate on the methods used.

• The Arab Spring has the potential to mark the beginning of a new page in History.
• The way Mediterranean society evolves is also important to Europe.
• It is therefore essential to have a common reflection on how to proceed.

Inter-State dialogue on the Mediterranean is dysfunctional, both in the framework of the Barcelona Process and the Union for the Mediterranean.
It is essential to see beyond conflicts in the Middle East, current events and short-term interests, and to reflect on a long-term vision of the future.
This is what the European Movement International, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and national committees have undertaken over the past 8 years, between the countries of the Southern and Northern Mediterranean region.

The theme of this third Congress is the necessity of establishing a partnership between civil society and public authorities, from the local to the international level.

The two previous Congresses (Algiers 2006, Alicante 2009) dealt with the questions of political reform, education, professional training and university exchanges, migration and employment (as a primary objective of co-operation), and already at the time, with the question of integrating civil society into political and decision-making processes.

Participants will tackle this last theme in greater depth, concentrating on the cultural and socio-economic sectors, from local to international levels. The framework and methods of the Union for the Mediterranean could, as a result, be challenged.

Additional information:

• Report Preparatory Committee Meeting on 26 May 2012 (French)

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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat@europeanmovement.eu