Civil Society

A man examines wares in the souk in Tunis' old city.
Corruption in the Spotlight in Tunisia

A businessman’s attempts to smear an NGO brings corruption into focus for Tunisa, where corruption remains a perennial problem.

Mona Shahien is the founder of Tahrir Lounge@Goethe.
The Tahrir Lounge@Goethe in Egypt

The Tahrir Lounge@Goethe is a vibrant space for dialogue and culture. With the political squeeze in Egypt, it has turned to capacity building and network development for NGOs, individuals and even ministries.

A public lecture at the Kocaeli Academy for Solidarity, founded by a group of Turkish academics who were fired from their official positions
Academics Suffer Under Turkey’s Post-Coup Crackdown

Fired from their university jobs after signing a petition calling for peace, a group of Turkish academics from the town of Izmit have founded their own academy and are continuing to teach.

An elderly couple relax on Gleem Beach.
Identity and Corruption in Alexandria

As Alexandria – Egypt’s second city – removes public access to beaches along its shoreline, citizens grapple with what it means to be Alexandrian in a city where the sea has defined identity.

The Ministry of Interior in downtown Tunis.
Interview with I Watch Founder Achref Aoudi

A leaked recording from a Tunisian business magnate revealed plans to smear I Watch, an anti-corruption NGO. Apart from bringing corruption into the public eye, it also emboldened I Watch, says its founder Achref Aoudi

Mourners celebrate Nahed Hattar
The Assassination of Nahed Hattar

The assassination of Christian author Nahed Hattar in Amman, in September 2016, sparked intense reactions across Jordanian society, highlighting the growing influence of radical Islam and Jordan's precarious position adjacent war-torn Syria and Iraq.

Homosexuals in Tunisia must often live a double life.
Tunisia's Poor Record on Gay Rights

Many gays and lesbians in Tunisia hide their sexual orientation for fear of disappointing their families. Those who do live openly are often vulnerable to assault.

zenithTalk: Ines Amri

Ines Amri is an activist, teacher and expert in founding and establishing socially-minded start-ups.