This project brings together leaders of the Arab world and of mature democracies in a dialogue on critical issues related to free association and democratic participation. The Oslo Center is supporting The Club of Madrid in this project on democratic dialogue and freedom of association. The purpose is to assess efforts to promote democracy and intercultural dialogue in an era when concerns about instability and terrorism strongly influence national policies. This project has brought together key players for a productive dialogue on their experience of reforms for freedom of association, accomplishments, best practices and lessons learned.

Objectives:

• Foster inclusion of civil society, including women and youth, for increased freedom of association in the Arab World
• Greater understanding of the benefits of social cohesion among leaders in the Arab world
• A better legislation and practise regarding freedom of association in the project countries.
• Institutionalise a frequent dialogue and communication between Government and civil society in project countries.

Activities

• In the first year of project implementation (February 2007-February 2008), the Oslo Center participated in project activities in Jordan and Morocco. In order to multiply project impact, accomplishments and lessons learned are now shared in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia in the second year of project implementation. The Oslo Center participated with Bondevik and one staff member in Jordan, Egypt and Morocco.
• Regional Plenary Meeting in Jordan, under the patronage of King Abdullah II of Jordan in February 2008. Key government officials and leading civil society members from Bahrain, Jordan and Morocco were brought together.
• The Prime Ministers in Jordan and Egypt received recommendations worked out in collaboration between the authorities themselves, political parties and important actors in the civil society.

Relevant links

Read more about the project (Club de Madrid)

Watch interviews about the project (with the Club of Madrid members Sadig al-Mahdi and Kjell Magne Bondevik)