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presented its ideas in plenary at the end of the workshop. An example of the “tree” model can be
found in Annex II.
Social and Cultural Interventions
Participants highlighted the often negative perception of volunteerism. Reasons for those
misconceptions vary but mainly emanate from general ignorance about the topic and a failure
to recognize the role that volunteerism plays in contributing to active citizenship. Furthermore,
participants indicated that many volunteering organizations were perceived as fronts to advance
political goals—a situation which leaves a bitter aftertaste for many Tunisians following the
Jasmine Revolution. Youth felt that these organizations exploited young volunteers to achieve
political aims.
As such, participants recommended the following objectives to overcome social and cultural
barriers in Tunisia:
Enhancing understandings of volunteerism. Any initiatives aimed at increasing the visibility
and perception of volunteering in Tunisia should address all facets of social and cultural life, and
in Tunisia the family is a central locus for this. This includes encouraging families to embrace
volunteerism as a core value and encouraging youth to organize their time between volunteering,
studying and working.
Developing a culture of volunteerism. While a culture of volunteerism is not ingrained in
current Tunisian society, especially among youth, there is a need to increase the trust and
confidence in civil society and volunteering organizations, whose credibility has eroded in recent
years. By increasing transparency and accountability of NGOs and government institutions,
alongside initiatives to encourage volunteerism from an early age and increase accessibility to
volunteering opportunities, a culture of volunteerism can thrive among Tunisian youth.
Increasing the visibility of volunteerism. Incorporating volunteerism into national events could
encourage youth in Tunisia to regain their trust and positive perception of civic action through
volunteering. In addition, the development of codes of conduct/ethics would be a significant step
in regaining the trust needed for a volunteering environment to thrive in Tunisia. This, alongside
scaled-up campaigns on voluntary engagement and solidarity would encourage Tunisian youth to
engage in voluntary activities.
Proposed Partners
ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY AND BUILDING AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
VOLUNTEERISM
Creating infrastructures for a culture of volunteerism was viewed as an essential prerequisite.
During the workshop it was emphasized that Tunisia lacks legal protection or provision of benefits
for volunteers: young volunteers often feel exploited and gain little from the activities in which
they engage. A perceived gap between supply and demand of volunteer opportunities was
underscored and explained as a result of the absence of a central resource to share information,
experiences and opportunities for Tunisian youth. Participants also felt that the situation in
Tunisia warrants increased coordination and transparency/accountability amongst national civil
society organizations in order to represent their interests—particularly those of youth—at the
heart of policymaking bodies.
Participants felt that the legislative environment remains vague and that policies which encourage
youth engagement, establish volunteers’ rights and responsibilities and describe good volunteer
management are still weak in Tunisia. The following objectives were therefore recommended:
Recognizing rights and responsibilities. Better coordination is needed amongst CSOs
engaged in volunteering would be facilitated by the development of a range of knowledge
products such as a volunteerism manual. In addition, the creation of a central (online) space
which brings together volunteers and those seeking volunteers, and which provides a wealth of
information related to voluntary engagement, would provide Tunisian youth with a ‘one-stop-shop’
for volunteerism.
Improving organizational structures. For the past few years civil society has not enjoyed a
positive public image in Tunisia. By implementing regulations and legislative frameworks which
hold all organizations accountable for their actions, goals and expenditures, young Tunisians will
be able to regain their trust in a sector which was previously associated with the pre-revolution
dictatorial regime. Moreover, participants also felt that support should be given to organizations
operating in rural or less prominent locations, which are underrepresented. Also, organizations
would benefit from an increased level of collaboration at the national level in order to influence
policy and enhance the exchange of information and best practices.
Developing clear legislative frameworks on volunteering. Despite the enactment of a new
law on volunteerism (2010), participants indicated that it has received little public attention.
By promoting this law and enhancing the legislation with well-defined regulations on volunteer
management, young Tunisians will be made aware of their rights and responsibilities and be able
to act within this framework.
UNV Findings Report
• Television and radio
• International organizations
• ONJ
• Ministry of Education
• Teachers, students
• Private sector
• Social media
• University faculties and clubs
• (International) cultural centers
• National Pedagogical Centre
Proposed Partners:
Government
Civil society
Youth and volunteerism experts
Education sector (universities, schools)
Youth
Private sector
Ministries
Volunteers
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