International Citizen Education Forum (Tunis Tunisia)
November 4 5 6, 2022
The learner at the heart of the education and university system
Call for contributions from civil society
Purpose of the Citizen Forum
Since the uprising against inequality and injustice and the commitment of Tunisians to the revolution of dignity and democratization, the political, economic and social situation in Tunisia has not drastically improved. The gains have been real in terms of freedom of expression, though. However, the Tunisian State now finds itself faced with an unprecedented situation, that of meeting more important expectations than ever, multiple and simultaneous, and this, with less available financial resources. Most of those who reflect and act agree that the only way out of such a deep crisis and to succeed in this transitional period is through a renewal of the way of investing in the living forces of young people and citizens by focusing all the necessary and extraordinary energy on rebuilding the education system, from kindergarten to university.
As it is, what could be more of a priority than supporting preschool, primary, secondary and higher education, as well as vocational and technical training, following a global and scientific, that is to say systemic, approach? What could be more important than providing a concrete and appropriate response to the concerns of the population and to the needs of citizens? Aware of the problems affecting the education system and the financial constraints of the State, our objective, with this third edition of the Forum, is to develop courses of action and find solutions thanks to your support as an actor civil society (community organizations, associations, unions, groups of citizens, etc.). Deep and global change is needed at all levels.
Smart change, notwithstanding the primacy of the State, requires the implementation of innovative ideas by organizations, associations, unions and groups of citizens, which provide a real alternative to the current situation which seems blocked. Our wish with this whole process is to integrate a new approach, different from previous ones. The Forum project and the actions surrounding it respond to this wish. Smart change also involves new forms of partnerships that will help restore trust between civil society and the State, but also strengthen or forge links between the university, school, organizations and society. The main lesson of such a partnership is the need for a common understanding of the conditions for discussing and suggesting solutions to move forward and succeed. From now on, the only way out requires that the State, institutions, universities, organizations of all kinds and civil society work hand in hand to bring innovative projects to fruition. The initiative of the third edition of the International Citizen Education Forum is a great opportunity to involve many associations, socio-economic actors, researchers, stakeholders and volunteers in order to play a connecting role between the needs of the population, the constraints of the State, the creative potential of groups of citizens and the opportunities that can emerge from this network of wills, skills and actions, which network is energized by multidisciplinary and complementary teams .
The International Citizen Education Forum, which will take place in The Medina (Hammamet) on November 4, 5 and 6, 2022, represents an essential and exceptional opportunity offered to socio-economic and civil society actors to discuss education, learning of pupils and students as well as political and socio-economic factors that influence the education and university system and their impact on the quality of the education system, on the success of learners as well as on political, economic, social and environmental involvement . This citizen forum, which will take place in combination with a scientific symposium, will give voice to civil society actors and citizens.
The upcoming Forum will therefore be an essential instrument for the social worker, the associative actor, the entrepreneur, and the citizen. It will make it possible to exchange and collect quality information, to make participants and the general public aware of socio-educational issues, to present experiences carried out in the field, to accomplish a process of collective reflection around a fundamental question: what reform and what concrete educational project for Tunisia? This question arises in a context of difficulties, crisis (health, education and social) and challenges for education systems. Beyond the speeches, it is the initiatives and citizen achievements that will be put forward with demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops or discussions. The participation of civil society is essential in the search for solutions to improve the education system by meeting the needs of citizens everywhere. The international citizen education forum is an exceptional opportunity to allow citizens to provide constructive criticism and demonstrate their contributions by disseminating good practices for the co-construction of solutions.
Actors from organizations, associations, unions, socio-economic stakeholders who are interested in taking part in this third (3rd) edition of the International Citizen Education Forum which focuses all attention on THE LEARNER AT THE HEART OF THE EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY SYSTEM by sharing your reflection and by exposing your actions on November 4, 5 and 6, in The Medina-Hammamet. Visit our website: https://www.forum-tunisien-education.org/ and complete the citizen submission form.
Suggested themes for citizen participation
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to propose various forms of contributions related to the following areas:
- Axis1: Mission, vision, values, orientations, policies and educational actions
- Mission, vision, values of the school and the university
- Types of learners and relationship between the learner and the model of the citizen to be trained
- Programs for students at risk, handicapped, in difficulty, vulnerable, gifted
- Early Childhood Education and Child Development Policy
- Protective factors, persistence policy and educational success
- Schools of excellence, creation of elites: challenges and benefits
- Citizenship education, civic education, environmental education
- Relations between State, university, school and society: intersections and social innovation
- Axis 2: Educational inequalities, dropping out and failure: re-schooling, remediation and feedback
- Social inequalities: social classes, gender, regionalism, differences
- Educational inequalities: weight of the social factors
- School and university geographical map: the question of equal opportunities
- Regional university establishments: between marginalization and integration
- Student mobility and programs facilitating interregional mobility
- School and social justice: citizen action for integration and inclusion
- Cost of education, family difficulties and social assistance
- Education in rural areas: perception, realities and achievements
- Axis 3: Financing of education, management and community research
- Management of education, educational success and school dropout;
- Decentralized management of education and management focused on accountability
- Regional and local management and participatory democracy
- School and university between public and private: the problem of financing education
- Community and partnership research: role of social organizations, involvement of universities and research centers
- Funding of associations and educational organizations
- Axis 4: Vocational training, qualification, employability and entrepreneurship
- School guidance and vocational training
- Vocational training and learning infrastructures
- Qualification, graduation and access to the labor market
- Vocational training and entrepreneurship training
- Orientation services by educational and social intervention organizations
- Employability and unemployment of young people and PhD holders
- Continuing education throughout life: an unexplored concept
- Human and transversal skills: creation of values and opportunities
- Axis 5: Teaching approaches, methods and practices
- Good practices for the educational and social success of all pupils and students
- Pedagogical differentiation: Disabilities and special needs
- Learning approaches and methods: learning disabilities and difficulties
- Assistance, support and support services for pupils and students
- Languages of instruction, language teaching, literacy and culture
- Digital devices, distance learning and difficulties: civic actions
- Axis 6: Violence, intimidation, harmful behavior and radicalization of young people: what can the school do, what can the family do?
- Violence, bullying, suicide and radicalization of young people: reports and prevention strategies of community organizations
- School climate, bullying, intervention strategies and quality of life
- Involvement of parents, role of family in ensuring perseverance and success
- Parental involvement and their spaces of action within the establishments
- Role of the teacher, resources, support and assistance services
- Axis 7: School and university involvement: infrastructures and role of associations and community organizations
- Management of the educational space: architecture, design and infrastructure
- Citizen involvement and achievements in support of learners
- Actions to promote: ideas, projects, actions for society
- Exhibitions of experiences and contributions of civil society in the field of education reform
- School, university and civil society partnership
- School transition from preschool to university: bridges between levels of education and progress
Main objective
To mobilize organizations and citizens from all over Tunisia as well as other friendly countries so that they participate and contribute to achieving a common vision and a dynamic of citizen participation for the elevation of quality, democratic, creative education of added value, driving new projects and mobilizing society in the 21st century.
Specific objectives
- Allow contributors to express their thoughts and experiences on issues affecting interventions with learners, families and social groups;
- Make participants aware of issues affecting education in the construction of a social project;
- Identify concrete courses of action to counter the problems encountered by educational institutions and to promote education and democratic citizenship, educational success, socio-professional integration, qualification for the aspirations of the 21st century, the development of employability and innovative initiatives.
Target audience
Associations, Entrepreneurs, employers, organizations, unions, elected officials, citizens, etc.
Criteria for submitting a citizen contribution
Contributions can be proposed in the form of an exhibition, a socio-cultural event, a participatory workshop, a poster or questions-debate related to education.
To participate in the Forum, you must complete the online form: citizen submission form
Criteria for submitting a contribution:
- Summary of a maximum of one page on the nature of the participation (including: name of the organization or group, surname and first name of the person in charge or the person to contact, address, email (email), telephone)
- Specify your presence for 1, 2 or 3 days
- For an exhibition, you must book a table.
Important dates
- January 7, 2022: dissemination of the call for contributions.
- March 15, 2022 15 May 2022: extension of the deadline for abstract submission .
- May 15, 2022: notice to the authors on the selected proposals.
- June 15, 2022: registration opens.
- July 31, 2022: closing of contributor registrations.
- September 1, 2022: diffusion of the program.