Messages of democracy
The young and united Europe calling for democracy, and nothing else but democracy, serves as an example to the entire world.
To celebrate a fiftieth anniversary is not a bad idea, especially when a whole future awaits us. This is indeed the case of the very Old Continent that became, in half a century, the Young Europe; a united and booming Europe on the path for sustainable growth and expansion. Fit and healthy because of its young age, Europe bears on the other hand the burden of several worries and doubts.
When economic integration controls political harmonization, it is commonly admitted evidence. But, then, some old and instinctive reactions emerge to the surface. When it comes to adopt a European constitution, many European countries still go by referendum. But when a debate between those who say “no” and the other side who says “yes” reaches a certain degree of harshness and roughness, like the French example, we know for sure that the future is not promising on the supra-national level. However, these discussions are comforting in a way that proves that Europe is, and will always be, ruled by democracy and nothing else but democracy, no matter what the economic exigencies are.
This should teach a lesson to the Arab world, always far-off from these principles, living everyday with the fiasco of many collective efforts, both on the political and economic levels. This lesson is more and more edifying to all Mediterranean countries that must have known now the importance of transparency and democracy. It is also a good lecture to the European partners themselves, who should learn to examine the future of Europe together and on the grounds of democracy.
Issa Goraieb
Editorialist
(Excerpts from Cahiers Euromed, 2005)
Achieving a healthy, true and lasting democracy in the Arab countries will be a deep and long-term process. Before talking about democracy, we have to first work hard on building up the nationalist spirit by discarding all the confessional feuds, religious and ethnic fanaticisms, and all the other unreasonable devotions, we have to spread and develop the nationalistic awareness amongst the raising generations along with the values of patriotism, honesty and transparency, human rights, education, knowledge and awareness. In short, we have to first pave the road and create a healthy environment for democracy to sustain and flourish.
The Arab nations are largely led by monarchies and authoritarian governments, and with many economies booming especially in the oil-rich Persian Gulf, governments are in no hurry to bring about change, this change which is considered as a slow process in the Arab countries. Democracy isn't always linear, it's a process that takes time, and it is evolutionary and requires strong consistent support which is what the EU policy is all about. But we still ask: did reform slow down in the Arab world or did it just never happen???
Democracy will never flourish in the Middle east as long as the Arabs are doing nothing to change the monarchies and authoritarian regimes not only they're living under but also strengthening by not calling for their freedom and right to choose. They, more than any other nation in the world, should have known by now that one hand can't clap alone and unite, take Europeans and Lebanese as examples, to call for 3 words living worth nothing without: freedom, democracy, and Sovereignty. As Lebanese, we paid blood for centuries for democracy, mostly achieved our goals, and never been prouder.
In Lebanon, we have been fighting and struggling since forever to maintain the democracy we have. We were being fought from all side so that our democracy can be controlled by a foreign regime. Once our sovereignty was lost, the democracy is controlled by the country occupying us. That what was happening from 1976 till 2005 when “Syria” (Lebanon’s sister) was in control of every single detail regarding Lebanon. This is where the Syrian democracy was applied on the Lebanese people. In the Syrian democracy the word “no” does not exist. Everyone should blindly say “I favor”. And if by any chance someone objects he is immediately considered as a traitor for the mother land and is taken to court. Any country in the world who wishes to improve and to progress must have “Democracy” as its main goal and object. There is nothing that cannot be solved through a decent democratic political reunion.
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I would like to be brief and thank Europa Jaratona program for its achievments in Jordan.
On: E-TVET reform (Jordan)
It is good to hear that there is someone who really cares about our historical monuments. While reading the article, I was hoping to find so many Tunisian names to make sure that, also, in our country there are people who are hell-bent on preserving what is left of a glorious history. Tunisia, thanks to its location, welcomed many civilizations whose leaders built huge and glorious buildings. Not only in cities near the shores, but also in the far west cities like Sbitla, Kasserin...
I believe that in order to save the surviving monuments, there should be a campaign to make Tunisians aware of the significance of such a loss if those buildings become ruins.
On: Initiatives to preserve Tunisian architecture
I have read this article with cautious and i was not happy of the approaches being written due i guess to lack of real understanding of current environmental issues we are facing. The problem of pollution will not be tackled only through fundings bec most of the money used is not appropriately used and if ever used we seek the traditional methods the old fashion way. We need to look at alternatives , less costs , better and more sustainable output. Waste problems are derived from mass consumerism and lack of understanding of what our lives should mean to us as far as human values and choices we should take in life. Building waste water treatment is needed but what is more needed is eduation and awereness and return to ethics and values. We can keep dumping money on projects but who would assure me that our resources are being well taken care of and not depleted in a fast way? Where is the concept of sustainibility?
On: Mediterranean pollution “hot spots” under control by 2020?
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Allowing Democracy is like asking for feedback but the feedback always depends on the input. So you can’t ask someone to feed you back while you are sure that the feedback is negative. Negative because you know that the input wasn’t satisfying. In order to add a feedback to the system the input should be changed first! Arabs should be satisfied and closer to be pleased before being asked to give their opinions. And higher authorities should be sincerely looking for feedback and willing to listen. Most importantly Arabs should be sure that diving in democracy oceans would not drown them.