From 19 to 21 October 2016, ALDA held a double international event in Tunis, closely organized with its international and local partners.

The 3-days event began with the joint conference ALDA & ARLEM – the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (Committee of the Regions), with title “Local and Regional authorities exchanging experiences on circular migration”, tackling the issue of circular migration. Mr. Hani Abdelmasih Al Hayek, ARLEM co-chair, and Mr. Alessandro Perelli, Vice-President of ALDA, opened the conference with inspiring speeches.

Then, high-level speakers from various institutions and organisations (among them: the Delegation of the European Union to Tunisia, the International Organization for Migration, the Jordanian Ministry of Municipal Affairs, etc.) exchanged their expertise and points of view and replied to the numerous questions and comments from the audience. In this framework, Ms. Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, shared her point of view and underlined the importance of seeing migrations as a possibility for creating opportunities and synergies between local authorities.

The exchange of opinions pointed out that a more flexible, larger and above all positive vision on the phenomenon of circular migration is required in order to develop an effective integration model, involving both birth and host countries. Tolerance and intercultural dialogue were also highlighted as key elements by the participants.

This joint conference was followed by the Special Initiative of the LADDER Med Path, with title “Local democracy in the two shores of the Mediterranean”, organised by the Tunisian association Lam Echaml with the cooperation of COPPEM (the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership of Regional and Local Authorities) and ALDA. During three days, participants shared their standpoints and expertise on the subject of local democracy, also addressing specific challenges such as citizen participation and engagement. More than 70 people from both shores of the Mediterranean attended the event.

Furthermore, with regard to ALDA active presence and involvement in Tunisia, another step forward has been made towards the opening of the upcoming first Local Democracy Agency in Tunisia. A meeting with Tunisian partners from the civil society supporting the opening of the LDA was held in Kairouan on 18 October. The meeting saw the participation of Mr. Alessandro Perelli, Vice-President of ALDA, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General, and Ms. Anne-Laure Joedicke, Coordinator for the Mediterranean area.