Women workers in the agricultural sector: a symposium organized by LDA Tunisia
We receive and publish from Afaf Zaddem, delegate of the l'ADL Tunisia :
“Agriculture is unquestionably one of the pillars of the Tunisian economy, public policies have continued to aim at improving agricultural profitability without thinking of integrating in their visions and action plans solutions oriented towards improving the working conditions of people working in this sector and mainly women agricultural workers.
In fact, the agricultural workforce is mainly composed of women, more than 70% of whom work mostly as casual workers. Female labor force is poorly valued, poorly remunerated and remains in the informal circuit without a work contract, without social security coverage, without dignified and secure transportation, without the possibility of unionization and far from decent work conditions. 73.5% of female agricultural workers are not insured against occupational hazards. Only 33.3% of rural women working in this sector have social security coverage. By way of comparison, only 93,500 female agricultural workers have social security coverage compared to 377,000 agricultural workers.
Rural women are very vulnerable. 32% of them are illiterate and only 19.3% have economic resources of their own. In fact, they face cultural, social and economic constraints that limit their access to the labor market and to dignified and well-paid jobs. The majority of economically active rural women remain excluded from the social protection system, despite their massive participation in the development of strategic economic sectors such as agriculture. In the absence of collective agreements governing the agricultural sector, and in the absence of adaptation of the legislation in force regarding social security for occasional agricultural workers, they find themselves without any social protection.
Of the 10727 social security contributors declared under the agricultural workers’ scheme, only 1148 (10.7%) are women. Many women, school dropouts and others who have passed the legal retirement age are forced to work in harsh, indecent and uncontrolled conditions to support themselves without any social protection, which exposes them to the dangers of unprotected handling of pesticides and other chemicals used, as well as to poor hygiene and transport conditions, and to the volume of work per hour.
Occupational accidents suffered by rural women are frequent but are not covered by the current insurance system. This system remains unsuited to the specificities of this female agricultural labor force.
Unequal access to social benefits and services and the lack of public and private support for family obligations and responsibilities are an obstacle to their participation in the formal labor market. As a result, they remain excluded from many development programs.
Major deficits in knowledge, monitoring and evaluation of the economic and social situation of rural women, particularly in the agricultural sector, remain and require multi-stakeholder and integrated intervention by the various parties concerned.
For all these reasons, the Agency for Local Democracy ADL, Kairouan TUNISIA launched on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8), a field study on the situation of “Working Women in the Agricultural Sector: Pillar of Development despite the lack of an appropriate legal status”. For this reason, it adopted the cause of rural women to mobilize and motivate civil society, institutions, local and national partners to develop a legal status that protects them and guarantees their rights.
This initiative is in line with SDG 5 and in the continuity of the EU-sponsored PARFAIT project, launched by the ALDA Lead Partner Association in partnership with EPD, the Women’s Coalition and LDA Tunisia, and targeted five governorates in Tunisia; the project aimed to promote women’s participation in local public life in Tunisia, and to raise their awareness of the fact that civil and political rights go hand in hand with economic and social rights.
Through a questionnaire that reached 600 women workers and 300 farmers in 10 delegations in the three regions (Kairouan, Mahdia and Sidi Bouzid), LDA undertook to make this careful diagnosis of the situation of women and to determine the extent of the violation suffered in order to find adequate solutions whose aim is to change the living conditions of women and enable them to participate fully in local governance.
The presence of LDA Tunisia in urban and rural social environments allows it to deepen its studies by being in direct contact with citizens at all social, cultural, economic and political levels … and also helps to raise awareness among local officials, including municipal councils to give priority to the cause of rural women which is part of Human Rights – including the principle of non-discrimination – the fight and prevention of poverty.
Since the appearance of the code of local authorities, local governance has expanded its territory following the merging of marginalized rural areas into municipal districts created in several governorates known by the density of their inhabitants such as SIDI BOUZID, KAIROUAN … where rural women working in the agricultural sector requires the attention of the municipal council. The latter should find her, as a citizen and member of society, concrete and profitable solutions to remedy the precarious situation.
On the occasion of the National Day of Tunisian Women, LDA Tunisia organized a regional symposium to present the results of the study, and invited members of municipal councils in the region, administrative executives, components of local civil society and representatives of national organizations, who actively interacted with the salient findings of the study presented by the expert Mr. Radwan El-Fatnasy.
The first delegate Mr. Abdel-Fattah Al-Taghouti on behalf of Mr. Wali de Kairouan delivered the opening speech in which he expressed the importance of interaction and engagement between the different parties at the local level in order to design practical mechanisms and local initiatives. He also stressed the value of local participatory work that could be initiated by ADL Tunisia as a local energizer, as well as the need for a legislative initiative resulting from a political will to change this reality. He also expressed his willingness to follow and support.
On the program, Professor Al-Nasser Al-Aqrabawi, mayor of Ain Al-Bayda, gave a speech on “Women and Local Authority, the rural woman as a model”. He said that 500,000 working in the agricultural sector without a clear legal framework. And that open local governance requires openness to all social groups, including women in the agricultural sector. He said that the legislator within the local community code focused on political rights while neglecting the rest of the rights, and that the municipal council is responsible for seeking as much as possible to play its role in sensitizing this population.
The symposium was also followed by the regional and national media, and resulted in many important and practical proposals, which highlighted the need for networking for monitoring, study, sensitization, and especially to advocate for the State to assume its responsibilities in the fight against abuses against women workers in the agricultural sector. For its part, the local civil society with the women’s commissions in the municipalities are expected to start awareness sessions on work safety, health of women workers, social security coverage, insurance, etc… the training centers for rural girls can also contribute to training activities on rights and hygiene.
Participants also stressed the need for a legal framework guaranteeing all these rights in order to change the conditions of precariousness.
The symposium concluded with the presentation of the next steps presented by Ms. Afaf Zaddem, the delegate of the Agency for Local Democracy, followed by the presentation of the study both in Sidi Bouzid and Mahdia in the presence of local actors, launch a national advocacy campaign on the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women on October 15, 2020, and form a legal committee to present a legislative initiative for a status that preserves the rights of rural women in the agricultural sector. For its part, LDA Tunisia is responsible for mobilizing national and international partners to support this local initiative that has grown”.
Watch the promotional video of this study: https://urlz.fr/dHsO.
We receive and publish from Afaf Zaddem, delegate of the l'ADL Tunisia :
“Agriculture is unquestionably one of the pillars of the Tunisian economy, public policies have continued to aim at improving agricultural profitability without thinking of integrating in their visions and action plans solutions oriented towards improving the working conditions of people working in this sector and mainly women agricultural workers.
In fact, the agricultural workforce is mainly composed of women, more than 70% of whom work mostly as casual workers. Female labor force is poorly valued, poorly remunerated and remains in the informal circuit without a work contract, without social security coverage, without dignified and secure transportation, without the possibility of unionization and far from decent work conditions. 73.5% of female agricultural workers are not insured against occupational hazards. Only 33.3% of rural women working in this sector have social security coverage. By way of comparison, only 93,500 female agricultural workers have social security coverage compared to 377,000 agricultural workers.
Rural women are very vulnerable. 32% of them are illiterate and only 19.3% have economic resources of their own. In fact, they face cultural, social and economic constraints that limit their access to the labor market and to dignified and well-paid jobs. The majority of economically active rural women remain excluded from the social protection system, despite their massive participation in the development of strategic economic sectors such as agriculture. In the absence of collective agreements governing the agricultural sector, and in the absence of adaptation of the legislation in force regarding social security for occasional agricultural workers, they find themselves without any social protection.
Of the 10727 social security contributors declared under the agricultural workers’ scheme, only 1148 (10.7%) are women. Many women, school dropouts and others who have passed the legal retirement age are forced to work in harsh, indecent and uncontrolled conditions to support themselves without any social protection, which exposes them to the dangers of unprotected handling of pesticides and other chemicals used, as well as to poor hygiene and transport conditions, and to the volume of work per hour.
Occupational accidents suffered by rural women are frequent but are not covered by the current insurance system. This system remains unsuited to the specificities of this female agricultural labor force.
Unequal access to social benefits and services and the lack of public and private support for family obligations and responsibilities are an obstacle to their participation in the formal labor market. As a result, they remain excluded from many development programs.
Major deficits in knowledge, monitoring and evaluation of the economic and social situation of rural women, particularly in the agricultural sector, remain and require multi-stakeholder and integrated intervention by the various parties concerned.
For all these reasons, the Agency for Local Democracy ADL, Kairouan TUNISIA launched on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8), a field study on the situation of “Working Women in the Agricultural Sector: Pillar of Development despite the lack of an appropriate legal status”. For this reason, it adopted the cause of rural women to mobilize and motivate civil society, institutions, local and national partners to develop a legal status that protects them and guarantees their rights.
This initiative is in line with SDG 5 and in the continuity of the EU-sponsored PARFAIT project, launched by the ALDA Lead Partner Association in partnership with EPD, the Women’s Coalition and LDA Tunisia, and targeted five governorates in Tunisia; the project aimed to promote women’s participation in local public life in Tunisia, and to raise their awareness of the fact that civil and political rights go hand in hand with economic and social rights.
Through a questionnaire that reached 600 women workers and 300 farmers in 10 delegations in the three regions (Kairouan, Mahdia and Sidi Bouzid), LDA undertook to make this careful diagnosis of the situation of women and to determine the extent of the violation suffered in order to find adequate solutions whose aim is to change the living conditions of women and enable them to participate fully in local governance.
The presence of LDA Tunisia in urban and rural social environments allows it to deepen its studies by being in direct contact with citizens at all social, cultural, economic and political levels … and also helps to raise awareness among local officials, including municipal councils to give priority to the cause of rural women which is part of Human Rights – including the principle of non-discrimination – the fight and prevention of poverty.
Since the appearance of the code of local authorities, local governance has expanded its territory following the merging of marginalized rural areas into municipal districts created in several governorates known by the density of their inhabitants such as SIDI BOUZID, KAIROUAN … where rural women working in the agricultural sector requires the attention of the municipal council. The latter should find her, as a citizen and member of society, concrete and profitable solutions to remedy the precarious situation.
On the occasion of the National Day of Tunisian Women, LDA Tunisia organized a regional symposium to present the results of the study, and invited members of municipal councils in the region, administrative executives, components of local civil society and representatives of national organizations, who actively interacted with the salient findings of the study presented by the expert Mr. Radwan El-Fatnasy.
The first delegate Mr. Abdel-Fattah Al-Taghouti on behalf of Mr. Wali de Kairouan delivered the opening speech in which he expressed the importance of interaction and engagement between the different parties at the local level in order to design practical mechanisms and local initiatives. He also stressed the value of local participatory work that could be initiated by ADL Tunisia as a local energizer, as well as the need for a legislative initiative resulting from a political will to change this reality. He also expressed his willingness to follow and support.
On the program, Professor Al-Nasser Al-Aqrabawi, mayor of Ain Al-Bayda, gave a speech on “Women and Local Authority, the rural woman as a model”. He said that 500,000 working in the agricultural sector without a clear legal framework. And that open local governance requires openness to all social groups, including women in the agricultural sector. He said that the legislator within the local community code focused on political rights while neglecting the rest of the rights, and that the municipal council is responsible for seeking as much as possible to play its role in sensitizing this population.
The symposium was also followed by the regional and national media, and resulted in many important and practical proposals, which highlighted the need for networking for monitoring, study, sensitization, and especially to advocate for the State to assume its responsibilities in the fight against abuses against women workers in the agricultural sector. For its part, the local civil society with the women’s commissions in the municipalities are expected to start awareness sessions on work safety, health of women workers, social security coverage, insurance, etc… the training centers for rural girls can also contribute to training activities on rights and hygiene.
Participants also stressed the need for a legal framework guaranteeing all these rights in order to change the conditions of precariousness.
The symposium concluded with the presentation of the next steps presented by Ms. Afaf Zaddem, the delegate of the Agency for Local Democracy, followed by the presentation of the study both in Sidi Bouzid and Mahdia in the presence of local actors, launch a national advocacy campaign on the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women on October 15, 2020, and form a legal committee to present a legislative initiative for a status that preserves the rights of rural women in the agricultural sector. For its part, LDA Tunisia is responsible for mobilizing national and international partners to support this local initiative that has grown”.
Watch the promotional video of this study: https://urlz.fr/dHsO.
Statement on the death of Ebru Timtik
On behalf of the whole organisation, ALDA is deeply saddened by the death of Ebru Timtik, after a hunger strike lasted 238 days following her conviction for alleged membership of a terrorist organisation.
“The death of Ebru Timtik, Turkish lawyer who passed away in jail after 238 days of hunger strike – stated Alessandro Perelli, ALDA vice-president – represents a symbol of the civic and moral struggle in the name of the respect of human rights and the freedom of expression in the World”
“Her extreme sacrifice won’t be forgotten by all those who believe that only through a dignified democratic debate it is possible to discuss opinions and create the conditions to peacefully coexist. The Turkish people – concluded Perelli – will manage to resume and succeed in the struggle towards a renewed and independent justice, which points to the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
On behalf of the whole organisation, ALDA is deeply saddened by the death of Ebru Timtik, after a hunger strike lasted 238 days following her conviction for alleged membership of a terrorist organisation.
“The death of Ebru Timtik, Turkish lawyer who passed away in jail after 238 days of hunger strike – stated Alessandro Perelli, ALDA vice-president – represents a symbol of the civic and moral struggle in the name of the respect of human rights and the freedom of expression in the World”
“Her extreme sacrifice won’t be forgotten by all those who believe that only through a dignified democratic debate it is possible to discuss opinions and create the conditions to peacefully coexist. The Turkish people – concluded Perelli – will manage to resume and succeed in the struggle towards a renewed and independent justice, which points to the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
The APProach platform: learn, engage... and exercise your rights as a mobile EU citizen!
Did you know that the APProach project created an online platform? Discover this great digital tool!
Why the platform? One of the goals of the project was to design an online platform where European citizens and project partners can collaborate together. During various months, through test group activities and surveys, the project consortium asked for feedback from a number of EU citizens about the platform, what they wanted to see in it, etc…
The APProach platform was hence born thanks to the collaboration of both parties in order to answer as best as possible the questions and needs of mobile European citizens when they arrive in a new city.
How does it work? This platform was developed by 6 European cities that have a strong wish to help their newcomers: Paris, Lisbon, Etterbeek, Milan, Vejle and Nea Smyrni. A dedicated page was designed for each city, and the majority of the pages are both in the national language and in English.
By navigating the platform, every EU citizen will be able to find information on various topics such as education, civic and social life as well as voting. There is also an option to be an active participant in the evolution of the platform by becoming its member, thus being enabled to share events through a collaborative calendar and to help other newcomers by translating content in other languages.
What are you waiting for? Visit the APProach online platform: https://project-approach.eu/.
For more information about the APProach project
- Seguilo su Facebook e Twitter
- Iscriviti alla sua newsletter qui
- Contact the consortium via email: approachproject@aldaintranet.org
About the project: starting in April 2018, the APProach project is working to fill an existing gap which limits the exercises of citizens’ civic rights by co-creating an online platform. The project is co-funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme, aiming to facilitate the circulation of information towards EU mobile citizens for them to effectively exercise their rights in their welcoming city.
Did you know that the APProach project created an online platform? Discover this great digital tool!
Why the platform? One of the goals of the project was to design an online platform where European citizens and project partners can collaborate together. During various months, through test group activities and surveys, the project consortium asked for feedback from a number of EU citizens about the platform, what they wanted to see in it, etc…
The APProach platform was hence born thanks to the collaboration of both parties in order to answer as best as possible the questions and needs of mobile European citizens when they arrive in a new city.
How does it work? This platform was developed by 6 European cities that have a strong wish to help their newcomers: Paris, Lisbon, Etterbeek, Milan, Vejle and Nea Smyrni. A dedicated page was designed for each city, and the majority of the pages are both in the national language and in English.
By navigating the platform, every EU citizen will be able to find information on various topics such as education, civic and social life as well as voting. There is also an option to be an active participant in the evolution of the platform by becoming its member, thus being enabled to share events through a collaborative calendar and to help other newcomers by translating content in other languages.
What are you waiting for? Visit the APProach online platform: https://project-approach.eu/.
For more information about the APProach project
- Seguilo su Facebook e Twitter
- Iscriviti alla sua newsletter qui
- Contact the consortium via email: approachproject@aldaintranet.org
About the project: starting in April 2018, the APProach project is working to fill an existing gap which limits the exercises of citizens’ civic rights by co-creating an online platform. The project is co-funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme, aiming to facilitate the circulation of information towards EU mobile citizens for them to effectively exercise their rights in their welcoming city.
Support local democracy and citizen participation, become a Friend of ALDA!
ALDA opens its doors to all those who want to support our work, whatever their age, nationality or profession! Contribute to our mission with a small donation, starting from €20 a year, and become a Friend of ALDA!
If you care about local democracy and citizen participation, you can now support the Association towards the values and goals you have at heart. Join the Friends of ALDA e
– always be up to date on our sectors of action
– receive our monthly and thematic newsletters
– be in the know of all our meetings, conferences and projects in the enlarged Europe
– benefit from discounts on training opportunities and other ALDA activities
…and more! Find out how to join QUI – we’ll be happy to send you your e-card “Friends of ALDA” in recognition of your special bond with us!
Supporta la democrazia locale e la partecipazione cittadina, diventa Amico/a di ALDA!
ALDA apre le proprie porte a tutti coloro che desiderano sostenere il nostro lavoro, qualsiasi sia la loro età, nazionalità o professione! Contribuisci alla nostra missione con una piccola donazione, a partire da €20 all’anno, e diventa Amico/a di ALDA!
Se la democrazia locale e la partecipazione dei cittadini sono importanti per te, ora puoi supportare l’Associazione per i valori e gli obiettivi che hai a cuore! Unisciti agli Amici di ALDA :
– sarai sempre aggiornato/a sui nostri settori di azione
– riceverai le nostre newsletter mensili e tematiche
– ti terremo sempre a conoscenza sui nostri incontri, conferenze e progetti nell’Europa allargata
– potrai usufruire di sconti sulle offerte formative ed altre attività organizzate da ALDA
…ed altro ancora! Scopri come unirti al programma QUI – saremo felici di inviarti la tua e-card “Amici di ALDA” in riconoscimento del tuo speciale legame con noi!
ALDA opens its doors to all those who want to support our work, whatever their age, nationality or profession! Contribute to our mission with a small donation, starting from €20 a year, and become a Friend of ALDA!
If you care about local democracy and citizen participation, you can now support the Association towards the values and goals you have at heart. Join the Friends of ALDA e
– always be up to date on our sectors of action
– receive our monthly and thematic newsletters
– be in the know of all our meetings, conferences and projects in the enlarged Europe
– benefit from discounts on training opportunities and other ALDA activities
…and more! Find out how to join QUI – we’ll be happy to send you your e-card “Friends of ALDA” in recognition of your special bond with us!
Supporta la democrazia locale e la partecipazione cittadina, diventa Amico/a di ALDA!
ALDA apre le proprie porte a tutti coloro che desiderano sostenere il nostro lavoro, qualsiasi sia la loro età, nazionalità o professione! Contribuisci alla nostra missione con una piccola donazione, a partire da €20 all’anno, e diventa Amico/a di ALDA!
Se la democrazia locale e la partecipazione dei cittadini sono importanti per te, ora puoi supportare l’Associazione per i valori e gli obiettivi che hai a cuore! Unisciti agli Amici di ALDA :
– sarai sempre aggiornato/a sui nostri settori di azione
– riceverai le nostre newsletter mensili e tematiche
– ti terremo sempre a conoscenza sui nostri incontri, conferenze e progetti nell’Europa allargata
– potrai usufruire di sconti sulle offerte formative ed altre attività organizzate da ALDA
…ed altro ancora! Scopri come unirti al programma QUI – saremo felici di inviarti la tua e-card “Amici di ALDA” in riconoscimento del tuo speciale legame con noi!
ALDA General Assembly 2020: see you in Brussels on October 9th!
After careful consideration of the ongoing situation in relation to the coronavirus outbreak and its consequences, we have taken the difficult yet necessary decision to once again reconsider our previous plans for this year’s ALDA General Assembly and for the 20th-anniversary Festival that was meant to officially open it in the beautiful city of Pula, Croatia.
While we certainly wish we didn’t have to undergo these changes, we are still very excited to celebrate the Association’s 20 years of activity with as many as possible of our members, partners, networks and friends, in due respect of all Covid-19 health and safety measures: indeed, with this very spirit our ALDA 2020 celebrations were first launched in the month of July with the four high-level webinars we hosted on our four main areas of operations… and that was just the beginning!
Sopra September 25th at 3pm, all ALDA members are invited to join, either in person or online, our Assemblea Generale Straordinaria in our Italian office of Viale Milano 36, Vicenza to approve a number of Statutory Changes. In case the needed quorum won’t be reached on such occasion, the Extraordinary General Assembly will be convened again two weeks later, a latere of our Ordinary General Assembly.
Sopra October 9th, 2020, in fact, our General Assembly will finally take place in Brussels, Belgium on the eventful occasion of the Settimana europea delle regioni e delle città; while the FestivALDA will take place as planned later on, in 2021 (exact dates and location to be confirmed).
If on one hand it is currently unsure whether we will be able to allow in-person participation to the General Assembly in the usual numbers, we are on the other hand fully committed to making available the online attendance of the event; and we are closely monitoring the development of the situation with the aim to welcome as many in-person participants as we possibly can. In the meantime, we suggest you mark the date on your calendar no matter what!
The Assembly will be a particularly significant one, not only in the light of the Association’s 20th anniversary, but also as it will include the election of its nuovo consiglio di amministrazione. Moreover, the event being inserted within the wider context of the European Week of Regions and Cities, it will be aptly preceded by a progetto CAMELOT workshop on October 6th and followed by a LIFE Metro Adapt event on October 22nd (more info qui).
If you’re interested in knowing more about this upcoming General Assembly, all that revolves around it and how to participate, please contact alda@aldaintranet.org. See you in Brussels on October 9th? We definitely hope so!
After careful consideration of the ongoing situation in relation to the coronavirus outbreak and its consequences, we have taken the difficult yet necessary decision to once again reconsider our previous plans for this year’s ALDA General Assembly and for the 20th-anniversary Festival that was meant to officially open it in the beautiful city of Pula, Croatia.
While we certainly wish we didn’t have to undergo these changes, we are still very excited to celebrate the Association’s 20 years of activity with as many as possible of our members, partners, networks and friends, in due respect of all Covid-19 health and safety measures: indeed, with this very spirit our ALDA 2020 celebrations were first launched in the month of July with the four high-level webinars we hosted on our four main areas of operations… and that was just the beginning!
Sopra September 25th at 3pm, all ALDA members are invited to join, either in person or online, our Assemblea Generale Straordinaria in our Italian office of Viale Milano 36, Vicenza to approve a number of Statutory Changes. In case the needed quorum won’t be reached on such occasion, the Extraordinary General Assembly will be convened again two weeks later, a latere of our Ordinary General Assembly.
Sopra October 9th, 2020, in fact, our General Assembly will finally take place in Brussels, Belgium on the eventful occasion of the Settimana europea delle regioni e delle città; while the FestivALDA will take place as planned later on, in 2021 (exact dates and location to be confirmed).
If on one hand it is currently unsure whether we will be able to allow in-person participation to the General Assembly in the usual numbers, we are on the other hand fully committed to making available the online attendance of the event; and we are closely monitoring the development of the situation with the aim to welcome as many in-person participants as we possibly can. In the meantime, we suggest you mark the date on your calendar no matter what!
The Assembly will be a particularly significant one, not only in the light of the Association’s 20th anniversary, but also as it will include the election of its nuovo consiglio di amministrazione. Moreover, the event being inserted within the wider context of the European Week of Regions and Cities, it will be aptly preceded by a progetto CAMELOT workshop on October 6th and followed by a LIFE Metro Adapt event on October 22nd (more info qui).
If you’re interested in knowing more about this upcoming General Assembly, all that revolves around it and how to participate, please contact alda@aldaintranet.org. See you in Brussels on October 9th? We definitely hope so!
Standing for Belarus, its democracy and its peace: an ALDA and EPD joint statement
In the past week, we have all born testimony to the events following the August 9th elections in Belarus and the widespread belief that they lacked transparency, as just as widespread mass protests ensued in various forms and ways and met controversial reactions by the government and the local police.
In virtue of its mission in Europe and the European neighbourhood and of its direct involvement in the country, ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy would like to express its condemnation of the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations: violence should never be the answer to the peaceful exercise of universal human rights such as freedom of thought and freedom of speech, nor should it be the response to any citizen behaviour when other non-violent measures are possible that are in line with the respect of human dignity and rights. In particular, we call for Belarus officials to remember and respect the Council of Europe principles and human rights charter which Belarus partially ratified.
On a related note, ALDA joins the Belarusian people in asking for clarifications with regards to the doubts on the correctness of the elections. With over a decade of activity in the country, the Association will continue to support Belarus and its people in the process of democratization, and to help local communities and grassroots civil society organisations to grow and flourish to this end. In its upcoming activities, ALDA in Belarus will keep aiming to solve pressing issues concerning citizens’ participation in decision-making at the local level and dialogue between CSOs and local authorities.
In the meantime, we call for Belarusian authorities to do all that is in their power to prevent further violence and breeches of human rights in the country, while also being transparent about the elections process and outcomes.
We strongly believe that the present and future of Europe goes much beyond the mere borders of the current EU member States. We stand for Belarus and its democracy!
The ALDA Governing Board and Alda Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida
***
– Read the Statement by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: qui
In the past week, we have all born testimony to the events following the August 9th elections in Belarus and the widespread belief that they lacked transparency, as just as widespread mass protests ensued in various forms and ways and met controversial reactions by the government and the local police.
In virtue of its mission in Europe and the European neighbourhood and of its direct involvement in the country, ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy would like to express its condemnation of the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations: violence should never be the answer to the peaceful exercise of universal human rights such as freedom of thought and freedom of speech, nor should it be the response to any citizen behaviour when other non-violent measures are possible that are in line with the respect of human dignity and rights. In particular, we call for Belarus officials to remember and respect the Council of Europe principles and human rights charter which Belarus partially ratified.
On a related note, ALDA joins the Belarusian people in asking for clarifications with regards to the doubts on the correctness of the elections. With over a decade of activity in the country, the Association will continue to support Belarus and its people in the process of democratization, and to help local communities and grassroots civil society organisations to grow and flourish to this end. In its upcoming activities, ALDA in Belarus will keep aiming to solve pressing issues concerning citizens’ participation in decision-making at the local level and dialogue between CSOs and local authorities.
In the meantime, we call for Belarusian authorities to do all that is in their power to prevent further violence and breeches of human rights in the country, while also being transparent about the elections process and outcomes.
We strongly believe that the present and future of Europe goes much beyond the mere borders of the current EU member States. We stand for Belarus and its democracy!
The ALDA Governing Board and Alda Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida
***
– Read the Statement by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: qui
Monumental discoveries: WW2 cultural heritage in the Balkans
If you come from, or know, the Western Balkans, have you ever wondered what Konjic, Brezovica, Uzice or Sid have in common? The answer is that they all have exquisite post-WW2 monuments as part of their cultural heritage.
This summer, young bloggers, greeters and touristic workers are having the opportunity to visit different parts of these cultural heritage sites in the Western Balkans, where the local Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) are proposing three different tours around Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia within the “Monumental 9” project.
First, a tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro includes visits to Tito’s bunker in Konjic, the Battle of Neretva Memorial in Jablanica, the Partisan cemetery in Mostar and the Trebjesa Memorial site near Niksic. The Monument Brezovica in Kosovo, Makedonium in Krusevo (North Macedonia) and Bubanj Memorial Park in Nis (Serbia) follow in the second tour. The last itinerary, finally, goes from the Kadinjaca Monument site in Uzice through the Sremski Front memorial park in Sid and ends with the Kozara Monument in Prijedor.
In this exciting discovery experience dipped in rich history, the young bloggers and greeters involved have the opportunity to film while boating on the marvelous Jablanica Lake or document the local artisanal production of cheese and coffee – as not only the history of the monuments is important, but its connection with the beautiful local nature and its valuable produce, too. How to forget the Balkanic traditional and fine industries such as knitting in Jablanica or crafting your own bracelets in Mostar, not to mention the varied and tasteful local gastronomy?
This touristic offer of the WW2 cultural heritage of the Western Balkans collected by the Monumental 9 project will soon be presented on a new website, showcasing all those attractive places for everyone to see. Stay tuned!
Monumentale 9 is supported by the Regional Cooperation Council and implemented by ALDA’s Skopje office and Western Balkan LDAs.
If you come from, or know, the Western Balkans, have you ever wondered what Konjic, Brezovica, Uzice or Sid have in common? The answer is that they all have exquisite post-WW2 monuments as part of their cultural heritage.
This summer, young bloggers, greeters and touristic workers are having the opportunity to visit different parts of these cultural heritage sites in the Western Balkans, where the local Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) are proposing three different tours around Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia within the “Monumental 9” project.
First, a tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro includes visits to Tito’s bunker in Konjic, the Battle of Neretva Memorial in Jablanica, the Partisan cemetery in Mostar and the Trebjesa Memorial site near Niksic. The Monument Brezovica in Kosovo, Makedonium in Krusevo (North Macedonia) and Bubanj Memorial Park in Nis (Serbia) follow in the second tour. The last itinerary, finally, goes from the Kadinjaca Monument site in Uzice through the Sremski Front memorial park in Sid and ends with the Kozara Monument in Prijedor.
In this exciting discovery experience dipped in rich history, the young bloggers and greeters involved have the opportunity to film while boating on the marvelous Jablanica Lake or document the local artisanal production of cheese and coffee – as not only the history of the monuments is important, but its connection with the beautiful local nature and its valuable produce, too. How to forget the Balkanic traditional and fine industries such as knitting in Jablanica or crafting your own bracelets in Mostar, not to mention the varied and tasteful local gastronomy?
This touristic offer of the WW2 cultural heritage of the Western Balkans collected by the Monumental 9 project will soon be presented on a new website, showcasing all those attractive places for everyone to see. Stay tuned!
Monumentale 9 is supported by the Regional Cooperation Council and implemented by ALDA’s Skopje office and Western Balkan LDAs.
Covid-19 and digital tools: have your say in the new APProach survey
How do you feel about the digitalization of your life during the quarantine? Did/do you feel that you could/can not perform at your best because of a lack of digital tools? In the past few months, have you felt the need to stay connected more than usual?
These are just some of the questions you can answer in the APProach project’s latest surveys, open to all with the aim to unveil the relationship between Covid-19 and the digital world.
In a situation where the Covid-19 crisis is affecting everyone and challenging every citizen as well as companies, civil society organizations, municipalities and the likes, adaptation is the keyword in order to find a new balance between private and professional life. While on the one hand inequalities are more and more visible, on the other hand digital tools are now on the frontlines to enable everyone to work, stay connected with their relatives, do their basic everyday activities such as shopping online, staying informed, receiving updates on the evolution of the situation and so on.
As a consequence, those same digital tools are becoming more and more present in our lives, and having access to them has increasingly become a need for everyone. For this reason, ALDA and the APProach project consortium wish to understand and evaluate how exactly the Covid-19 crisis has impacted and keeps impacting everyone’s daily life in relation to the digital world.
Two surveys are available:
- Cliccate QUI to fill in the survey for citizens
- Cliccate QUI to fill in the survey for social and economic actors such as municipalities, companies, NGOs…
It only takes a few minutes! For more information on the APProach project, check out its Facebook e Twitter profiles, subscribe to the APProach newsletter, and/or email approachproject@aldaintranet.org!
Co-funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme, the APProach project aims to facilitate the circulation of information towards EU mobile citizens for them to effectively exercise their rights in their new city of residence. Starting in April 2018, the project is working to fill a currently existing gap which limits the exercise of these citizens’ civic rights by co-creating an online platform in their support.
How do you feel about the digitalization of your life during the quarantine? Did/do you feel that you could/can not perform at your best because of a lack of digital tools? In the past few months, have you felt the need to stay connected more than usual?
These are just some of the questions you can answer in the APProach project’s latest surveys, open to all with the aim to unveil the relationship between Covid-19 and the digital world.
In a situation where the Covid-19 crisis is affecting everyone and challenging every citizen as well as companies, civil society organizations, municipalities and the likes, adaptation is the keyword in order to find a new balance between private and professional life. While on the one hand inequalities are more and more visible, on the other hand digital tools are now on the frontlines to enable everyone to work, stay connected with their relatives, do their basic everyday activities such as shopping online, staying informed, receiving updates on the evolution of the situation and so on.
As a consequence, those same digital tools are becoming more and more present in our lives, and having access to them has increasingly become a need for everyone. For this reason, ALDA and the APProach project consortium wish to understand and evaluate how exactly the Covid-19 crisis has impacted and keeps impacting everyone’s daily life in relation to the digital world.
Two surveys are available:
- Cliccate QUI to fill in the survey for citizens
- Cliccate QUI to fill in the survey for social and economic actors such as municipalities, companies, NGOs…
It only takes a few minutes! For more information on the APProach project, check out its Facebook e Twitter profiles, subscribe to the APProach newsletter, and/or email approachproject@aldaintranet.org!
Co-funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme, the APProach project aims to facilitate the circulation of information towards EU mobile citizens for them to effectively exercise their rights in their new city of residence. Starting in April 2018, the project is working to fill a currently existing gap which limits the exercise of these citizens’ civic rights by co-creating an online platform in their support.
Building Moldovan LAs and CSOs’ capacities with AGREED
In cooperation with local partners in Moldova, starting in mid-July 2020 ALDA has organized more than 15 trainings in the context of the AGREED project’s capacity-building programme for Local Authorities (LAs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
With the aim to increase LPAs and CSOs’ knowledge and skills in the fields of decentralization, transparency and citizen participation, the programme provides them with crucial training on the application of the principles of participatory democracy within the context of local communities. The trainings, which should amount to at least one for each of the 32 districts of Moldova by the end of September, are delivered face-to-face where possible and in online format in those districts where the Covid-19 situation doesn’t allow for that.
Panel discussions tackle various aspects of cooperation between CSOs and LAs, such as open government partnership in the service of local democracy or the preconditions for effective cooperation between the two; so far, all meetings have gathered around 35-45 participants including a great mix of mayors, local counselors and representatives of non-governmental organisations, as well as the presidents and/or vice-presidents of the districts when available.
"We will be grateful if you’ll organize such trainings in the future again”, mentioned participants in their evaluation questionnaire. “The information and consultation provided is extremely helpful".
Co-financed by National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the capacity-building programme is looking forward to continue its mission in the coming weeks with hopefully ever-increasing success!
The 24-month AGREED project (Activating Governance Reform for Enhancing Development) is co-financed by the European Union and implemented by Alda together with the Local Democracy Agency Moldova e University Legal Clinic Balti. It aims to strengthen the capacity of Moldovan local authorities to perform a transparent and participatory governance in their Communities, with a specific reference to the policy-making process related to decentralisation reform.
In cooperation with local partners in Moldova, starting in mid-July 2020 ALDA has organized more than 15 trainings in the context of the AGREED project’s capacity-building programme for Local Authorities (LAs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
With the aim to increase LPAs and CSOs’ knowledge and skills in the fields of decentralization, transparency and citizen participation, the programme provides them with crucial training on the application of the principles of participatory democracy within the context of local communities. The trainings, which should amount to at least one for each of the 32 districts of Moldova by the end of September, are delivered face-to-face where possible and in online format in those districts where the Covid-19 situation doesn’t allow for that.
Panel discussions tackle various aspects of cooperation between CSOs and LAs, such as open government partnership in the service of local democracy or the preconditions for effective cooperation between the two; so far, all meetings have gathered around 35-45 participants including a great mix of mayors, local counselors and representatives of non-governmental organisations, as well as the presidents and/or vice-presidents of the districts when available.
"We will be grateful if you’ll organize such trainings in the future again”, mentioned participants in their evaluation questionnaire. “The information and consultation provided is extremely helpful".
Co-financed by National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the capacity-building programme is looking forward to continue its mission in the coming weeks with hopefully ever-increasing success!
The 24-month AGREED project (Activating Governance Reform for Enhancing Development) is co-financed by the European Union and implemented by Alda together with the Local Democracy Agency Moldova e University Legal Clinic Balti. It aims to strengthen the capacity of Moldovan local authorities to perform a transparent and participatory governance in their Communities, with a specific reference to the policy-making process related to decentralisation reform.
Posti limitati! Opportunità per imprese e professionisti in un workshop gratuito di 4 ore a Vicenza il 27 agosto
Non si poteva non presentare una seconda edizione del workshop gratuito di 4 ore a tema “La programmazione europea 2021-2027: un bilancio come motore della ripresa dal Covid-19” organizzato da StudioCentroProgetti srl, Centro Produttività Veneto e ALDA nella sede vicentina di quest’ultima: diversi giorni prima della sua uscita iniziale di venerdì 24 luglio 2020 l’evento era già al completo ed era stata attivata una lista d’attesa, segno del vivo desiderio di imprese e professionisti del territorio di acquisire conoscenze e strumenti per la ripresa.
Ecco, dunque, una nuova occasione per il pubblico interessato di partecipare a questa cruciale opportunità gratuita di formazione, dalle ore 16 alle ore 20 di giovedì 27 agosto, nella sede ALDA al primo piano di viale Milano 36, 36100 Vicenza.
Con il patrocinio della Regione Veneto, il programma del workshop include un’introduzione al progetto “Generazioni professionali a confronto” e un’occasione di networking a lato del laboratorio intensivo al cuore dell’evento, tenuto dal formatore esperto di ALDA Marco Boaria, sulle nuove opportunità europee per imprese e professionisti con un focus sulla ripresa.
Per rispondere alle conseguenze economiche e sociali della pandemia di Covid-19, infatti, il 27 maggio 2020 la Commissione Europea ha proposto un bilancio a lungo termine che comprende uno strumento di emergenza per la ripresa, Next Generation EU, inteso a contribuire e riparare i danni immediati causati dalla pandemia di Covid-19.
Il workshop ha l’obiettivo di presentare tali strumenti, aiutando i partecipanti ad orientarsi e prepararsi alle nuove sfide per essere pronti, in tempo utile, a contribuire alla suddetta ripresa, anche con il supporto dei nuovi fondi previsti per il periodo 2021-2027.
La partecipazione è gratuita, previa iscrizione tramite la scheda di adesione (pagina 3 dell’agenda completa dell’evento), da compilare in tutte le sue parti e inviare all’indirizzo e-mail aldavicenza@aldaintranet.org. Per motivi di sicurezza in relazione al virus, i posti sono limitati e seguiranno l’ordine di iscrizione. Vi aspettiamo!
Non si poteva non presentare una seconda edizione del workshop gratuito di 4 ore a tema “La programmazione europea 2021-2027: un bilancio come motore della ripresa dal Covid-19” organizzato da StudioCentroProgetti srl, Centro Produttività Veneto e ALDA nella sede vicentina di quest’ultima: diversi giorni prima della sua uscita iniziale di venerdì 24 luglio 2020 l’evento era già al completo ed era stata attivata una lista d’attesa, segno del vivo desiderio di imprese e professionisti del territorio di acquisire conoscenze e strumenti per la ripresa.
Ecco, dunque, una nuova occasione per il pubblico interessato di partecipare a questa cruciale opportunità gratuita di formazione, dalle ore 16 alle ore 20 di giovedì 27 agosto, nella sede ALDA al primo piano di viale Milano 36, 36100 Vicenza.
Con il patrocinio della Regione Veneto, il programma del workshop include un’introduzione al progetto “Generazioni professionali a confronto” e un’occasione di networking a lato del laboratorio intensivo al cuore dell’evento, tenuto dal formatore esperto di ALDA Marco Boaria, sulle nuove opportunità europee per imprese e professionisti con un focus sulla ripresa.
Per rispondere alle conseguenze economiche e sociali della pandemia di Covid-19, infatti, il 27 maggio 2020 la Commissione Europea ha proposto un bilancio a lungo termine che comprende uno strumento di emergenza per la ripresa, Next Generation EU, inteso a contribuire e riparare i danni immediati causati dalla pandemia di Covid-19.
Il workshop ha l’obiettivo di presentare tali strumenti, aiutando i partecipanti ad orientarsi e prepararsi alle nuove sfide per essere pronti, in tempo utile, a contribuire alla suddetta ripresa, anche con il supporto dei nuovi fondi previsti per il periodo 2021-2027.
La partecipazione è gratuita, previa iscrizione tramite la scheda di adesione (pagina 3 dell’agenda completa dell’evento), da compilare in tutte le sue parti e inviare all’indirizzo e-mail aldavicenza@aldaintranet.org. Per motivi di sicurezza in relazione al virus, i posti sono limitati e seguiranno l’ordine di iscrizione. Vi aspettiamo!