Dialogue is at the centre of what we do as NIMD. It characterizes our approach across all our programmes. We bring politicians from across the political spectrum together. We help them to build trust across political divides, and work together towards policies in the interests of their people.

Of course, the restrictions around the world to curb the spread of Coronavirus make it harder to bring politicians together in this way. But we are working with our partners to come up with innovative ways to keep the dialogue going.

The Tunisian Interparty Dialogue Platform

That’s why our partner, the Centre des Etudes Méditerranéennes et Internationales (CEMI), has taken its interparty dialogue platform online, with the support of NIMD and Demo Finland. It has held three online meetings this month, which have brought together both old and new members of the platform, hailing from the political parties represented in Tunisia’s Parliament.

In its first sessions, the group discussed how to make sure the dialogue continues throughout the crisis, as well as delving into a common issue: The crisis in Tunisia and the fight against COVID-19 especially through frontline sectors.

The third session built on this theme, with the participants discussing the economic and social crises which stem from the outbreak. The participants decided on a set of recommendations, which they will present to the government and political parties.

In this way, the interparty dialogue is helping parties to work together through the crisis, finding solutions and points of convergence.

About the platform

The Interparty Dialogue was set up in 2016, on the initiative of Tunisia’s political parties. It is a neutral space, where parties can discuss issues of mutual concern. The platform gives representatives from Tunisia’s different parties the chance to build trust and work together.