Attalaki Organization, in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, is pleased to announce an upcoming two-day expert program to be held in Tunis, Tunisia, on 5–6 December, focusing on mediation, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), and interfaith dialogue in the MENA region.
This high-level program will convene leading Tunisian and regional experts, alongside academics, religious leaders, civil society actors, and youth representatives, to reflect on Tunisia’s unique experience as a space of coexistence and its potential contribution to regional dialogue and social cohesion.
Program Overview
Day 1 – Field Engagement and Cultural Immersion
Participants will visit key religious and cultural sites in Tunis, engaging directly with leaders and representatives of diverse faith communities. These visits aim to provide grounded insights into Tunisia’s lived traditions of coexistence, mediation practices, and plural religious heritage.
Day 2 – Thematic Panels within a Conference Framework
Experts will contribute to two thematic panels, fostering in-depth discussion and policy-oriented exchange on mediation, religious diversity, and dialogue mechanisms at national and regional levels.
Panelists and Contributors
- Cyrine Ben Saad – Session Moderator and Media Expert (Tunisia)
- Prof. Ikram Dridi – University Professor of Public Law and Former Advisor to the Minister of Women and Family Affairs (Tunisia)
- Dr. Ghofran Hseini – Doctor in Civilization and Islamic Studies; Former Advisor to the Mufti of the Tunisian Republic (Tunisia)
- Mr. Mohamed Dahab – Regional Director, Stirling Foundation (Sudan)
- Ms. Maha Khalaf – Project Coordinator, Adyan Foundation, Non-Violence and Human Rights Program (Lebanon)
- Dr. Nader Al-Sakkaf – Expert and Trainer in Minority Rights and FoRB; Former Senior Fellow at UN OHCHR (Yemen)
- Dr. Monya El Alami – Professor, University of Zitouna (Tunisia)
- Mr. Karim Chniba – Tunisian Imam and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Union of Religious Affairs (Tunisia)
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The program aims to:
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Strengthen cross-sectoral and intergenerational dialogue on mediation and FoRB
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Foster knowledge exchange between local and regional experts
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Highlight Tunisia’s experience as a reference point for pluralism and peaceful coexistence
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Develop practical, context-based recommendations informed by field experience and policy expertise
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Reinforce regional networks of professionals working on mediation, interfaith dialogue, and minority rights, with particular attention to youth engagement