[SEPTEMBER 2017] The “Cartooning for Peace and Democracy” project in Tunisia

Cartooning for Peace, The World Organisation Against Torture (Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture; OMCT) and the Arab institute for Human Rights collaborate together for the “Cartooning for Peace and Democracy” project. By using cartoons and humor, it aims to develop young and sensitive audiences critical minds and to discuss Tunisian youth challenges.

“Cartooning for Peace and Democracy” is an original pedagogic project based on editorial cartoons and humor to stimulate a culture of peace and dialogue, to encourage citizenship participation and to promote human rights and freedom of speech in Tunisia.

Initiated by Cartooning for Peace and with the support of the European Union, the project is executed with the Arab institute for Human Rights, which is aiming to develop on a national scale media and information literacy activities and civic education activities. “Cartooning for Peace and Democracy” consists of an exhibition, reflecting Tunisian youth challenges, dreams and ambitions and travelling in 11 « citizenship clubs » in middle and high schools; mediation work; and creative workshops with professional cartoonists. Students will discuss and work around the exhibition thematic panels such as youth employment, law 52 (drug law), womens’ rights and radicalization.

The project is also coordinated with The World Organisation Against Torture in Tunisia, as part of its program to develop cultural activities for prison populations, and with the support of the Swiss Embassy and the Prisons Department. Six correctional facilities will lead the project, starting in October 2017 with a specific focus on women and minors inmates: Sousse, Mornag, Manouba, Mornaguia, El Mourouj et El Mghira.

This pedagogic work will be enriched with meetings with Tunisian cartoonists such as Chedly Belkhamsa, Dlog, Needall, Tawfiq Omrane, and Willis from Tunis, allowing the audiences to discover cartoonists’ profession and debate around freedom of speech.

A training session is organized for cartoonists and school and prisons facilitators in Tunis on the 6^th and 7^th of September, helping them conduct activities of the Cartooning for Peace and Democracy project.

Download the press release here (in French).