Tunisia: Understanding Conflict 2012 - Johns Hopkins School of ...

Medium-term
• At some point, the youth need to be socialized into democratic participation. One
of the first places the government can start is the schools. The government should
change primary and secondary school curriculum to include a civic-education
class that teaches students about democratic institutions and participation.
Democracy cannot be learned overnight, but with the addition of civic-education,
Tunisia can help prepare its youth to be active citizens.
• The government should enact election reform that would require political
parties to reserve a certain number of spots on their party lists for youth
candidates. Election rules currently hold that lists must have gender parity but there
is no provision for youth. The requirement would encourage political parties to reach
out and train youth for political service. This would give a greater voice to the youth
in the country and would also have the effect of encouraging the youth to vote as the
candidates become younger and reflect more of their interests.
• The government needs to lay out a plan for educational reform. Working with
education professionals, more assistance needs to be given to students in the form of
career counseling early on in their studies. Programs could also be set up to promote
internships and work study programs, designed to train students for the
professional world.
Long-term
• Both the youth and older generations currently remain unconvinced that Tunisia’s
youth are capable of holding an elected post. A new university, similar to the ones
in Europe, should be created to train aspiring politicians and civil servants.
Institutionalizing political and civic education at the university will increase the
capabilities and the confidence of youth to hold elective office and participate in state
politics.
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