FRIEDRICH EBERT STIFTUNG

T H E F R I E D R I C H - E B E RT- S T I F T U N G
IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Dialogue between Societies and
Promoting Social Democracy
FRIEDRICH
EBERT
STIFTUNG
Idea and Mission
„ Development policy
is the peace policy
of the 21st century. “
Willy Brandt’s affirmation
has become the philosophy
behind our daily work.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Division for International Development Cooperation feels a particular
responsibility for contributing to development and democracy in the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin
America, the Middle East and North Africa. Looking towards the future, we regard it as our task to help
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safeguard democratic structures by involving as many social groups as possible,
promote economic reform and a policy of social justice,
formulate common basic values to guide socio-political development.
Our challenge as we see it is to adapt the focus and instruments of our work continuously in response
to social developments.
Founded in 1925 as Germany’s first political foundation, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is a private,
non-profit organisation committed to the precepts of social democracy. It bears the name of the first
democratically elected president of Germany, Friedrich Ebert, preserving his legacy: the promotion of
freedom, solidarity and social justice through the political process. The FES undertakes to carry out this
mission in Germany and abroad through its programmes promoting political education, international
cooperation, study and research.
Turkey
The Middle East and North Africa
An Abundance of Resources – and Conflicts
Algeria
Libya
Egypt
Iran
Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
UAE
an
W
S a e s te
ha rn
ra
Mauritania
Om
The region of the Middle East (Mashrek) and North Africa (Maghreb)
includes the Arab world, Israel, Iran and Turkey (a borderline
case). It is characterised by conflicts: the most recent international
conflict in Iraq, two major regional conflicts – the territorial conflict
in the Middle East and the conflict around a struggle for hegemony
over the Persian Gulf – and a plethora of sub-conflicts throughout
the region, some national and others between states. The region
exhibits sharp disparities with respect to endowments in
labour force, capital, natural resources and per capita income.
Lebanon Syria
Israel
Iraq
Palestine
Jordan
Tunisia
Morocco
Sudan
Yemen
Countries with
FES-Offices
Projektländer
mit FES-Büros
Countries
Projektländer
ohne FES-Büros
without
FES-Offices
Unter Beobachtung
In Coordination
with the
responsible
der
In Abstimmung
mit Abteilung
ID
zuständigen FES-Abteilung
FES-Division
The political systems of countries in this region, with its relatively insular conflicts and lagging integration, are extremely heterogeneous.
In terms of language, culture and religion, on the other hand, the countries of the region are very homogeneous and, historically
speaking, tightly interlinked.
From the German and European perspective, the Middle East and North Africa are of exceptional importance. In historical moral terms,
Germany bears a genuine responsibility for the state of Israel. As a result of the geographic proximity, however, the security, economic,
social and cultural interests of Germany and Europe also play a major role. The Department for the Middle East and North Africa in
the Division for International Development Cooperation pays heed to this importance.
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Objectives and Focus
Through its work, the FES pursues the goal of promoting pluralism and democracy, supporting healthy, sustained economic and social
development and contributing to a more sustainable approach towards the environment and natural resources in the region.
Equality for women and the promotion of human rights in general are of particular significance in this process.
The FES has undertaken to make a contribution to achieving lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians and broad security
relations between Israel, the Arab world, Iran and Turkey.
The security of Israel can only be guaranteed in enduring fashion through a just, comprehensive reconciliation between Israel and its
neighbours. A constructive, coordinated, credible policy on the part of the European Union – within the framework of the Barcelona
Process since 1995 – must support this process of reconciliation and conflict resolution over the long term.
E X A M P L E S
O F
O U R
P R O J E C T S
Educating First-Time Voters in the Palestinian Autonomous Territories
In conjunction with a Palestinian partner, the Health, Development, Information and
Policy Institute (HDIP), the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung set up a programme to educate
and mobilise young men and women in the Palestinian Autonomous Territories who
would be exercising their right to vote for the first time.
104 workshops were held in a little over three months, reaching out to almost 4000
young people aged 17 to 24, nearly half of them women. The participants were so
enthusiastic about this open exchange of opinion that more than 700 decided to
continue the process by passing on their knowledge to others or actively championing
the issues of democracy and elections.
Israel and the European Union
Israel and the European Union have close links thanks to a diverse network of political, economic, social and
cultural relations. The FES convened the Israeli European Policy Network (IEPN) in recognition of this situation.
It brings together decision-makers at the interface between the scientific and political communities and
administrations in Israel and the European Union. The aim of this strategic network is to explore the potential
underlying relations between Israel and the European Union in a systematic manner and, despite partial
differences, to formulate models and policy recommendations for the constructive advance of dialogue.
Democratic Reforms in Jordan
Civil society organisations in Jordan are still subject to substantial government control. In
the last few years, however, there has been progress towards greater openness and
autonomy. More is being done to build independent political parties. Since 2003, the new
government has also been engaged in open dialogue with the trade unions on controversial
social issues.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is responding to these developments. It has been assisting
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in a discussion about the role they can play in
the democratisation in Arab countries, and also cooperating with members of parliament in Jordan. With the help of experts, and
backed by exchanges with German parliamentarians, concepts are being drawn up to reform the Jordanian party and election system.
Building the Trade Unions in Tunisia
The FES is helping the Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT), the trade union confederation in Tunisia,
to play an effective, democratic role in influencing economic and social policies in the country. This includes
developing institutional structures around the 24 regional offices and helping to train trade union representatives
at shop-floor level. Assistance is also provided for academic studies and publications in which the UGTT states
its position on topical issues. Another focus of this cooperation is the development of secretariats for youth
and women’s affairs. A youth magazine is now published regularly in Arabic and French which reports on topics
such as the impact of globalisation in Tunisia.
E X A M P L E S
O F
O U R
P R O J E C T S
Campaign Against Sexual Harassment in Algeria
Social and domestic violence against women has increased considerably in Algeria in recent years. According
to women’s organisations, sexual harassment is one of the most common forms of oppression and coercion.
To promote public awareness of this problem, which is shrouded in taboo, women in the trade unions have
launched a campaign against sexual harassment which can be regarded as unique in the Arab world and Islam.
The aim is to trigger broad public debate about the rights women have, but also to define ways of changing
social and legal conditions.
Egyptian-Iranian Encounters
On the initiative of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Resource Centre Hamyaran
in Teheran and the office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Cairo, an initial meeting
between representatives of civil society associations from the two countries took place
in Iran in June 2003. This exchange of experience focussed on building civil society, the
environment, and programmes for promoting women and young people at work and
in society. The members of the Iranian NGOs hope that these encounters will offer them
technical advice and ideas for pursuing their own goals, as well as improved contacts
with international organisations working in the region.
Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue
The FES Human Rights Prize 2002 was awarded to the IsraeliPalestinian Peace Coalition in recognition of its commitment to
the civil resolution of conflict in the Middle East. It was from this
Coalition that the Geneva Initiative was later born, the blueprint
for a comprehensive peace agreement for which Yossi Beilin and
Yasser Abed Rabbo – the two principal movers – are now seeking
support from their own peoples and worldwide.
Following an Information Programme to which the FriedrichEbert-Stiftung invited guests in January 2004, an all-party resolution was put to the German Bundestag welcoming the Geneva
Initiative as a principle.
An international conference on the Middle East was held in June
2004 under the patronage of Germany’s President Johannes Rau.
Its major theme was how to revive the Middle East Peace Process.
E X A M P L E S
O F
O U R
P R O J E C T S
Regional Networks
Apart from country-based or bilateral projects, the FES engages with the region as a whole.
In 2003, for example, it was the first NGO to enter into a cooperation agreement with the
Arab League on a more in-depth dialogue about regional issues. Joint events have been
planned during presentations of the Arab World as guest region at the Frankfurt Book Fair
2004.
Before the Iraq War began, the FES had put together a team of experts for its Focus Iraq
who compiled background information and analyses from throughout the region and drew
on these to formulate scenarios and options for a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis. After
the outbreak of war, discussions were held with decision-makers and the general public
at seminars and symposia about the motives, interests and strategies behind the war and conclusions which could be derived for the
future.
Moreover, within the Barcelona Process, the FES promotes deeper Euro-Mediterranean dialogue, including civil society networking
across the Mediterranean region.
FES Offices in the Region
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is represented in the region through its ten offices: Morocco, Algeria,
Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen. At the same time the FES
has been working with select partners in Syria, Iraq and Iran without thus far having a standing
representation in these countries.
The project offices are staffed by nine ex-pats and more than 50 local skilled and management employees.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung receives about 6 million Euro per year from the German Ministry of Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for its work in the region. The FES also draws project-related
funding from the European Union, the German Foreign Office and several federal states in Germany.
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Department for the
Middle East and North Africa
Division for International
Development Corporation
Head: Dr. Andrä Gärber
Hiroshimastraße 17
10785 Berlin
Tel.: +49 30/26935-728
Fax: +49 30/26935-757
[email protected]
w w w . f e s . d e / n a h o s t
Photos: p.1 (from left to right): FES; FES,dpa, Marianne Docher/PhotoAlto, Zohra Bensemra/Reuters;
p. 2: FES; p. 3: Pellens Kommunikationsdesign; p. 4 (from left to right): Zohra Bensemra/Reuters,
FES, Marianne Docher/PhotoAlto, FES; all others: FES