Feb. 10 – The University of Siena played a small part in the Tunisian constitutional process, which culminated in the drafting of the new Constitution, approved last January 26. The University has offered legal advice and support since 2011 and will continue to do as much in future interventions. The Siena institution has thus been involved in the drafting of an innovative text that presents a vision of society and state shared by both secular and religious political forces. The international project “Activities in support of the constitutional process and success of decentralization in Tunisia” is coordinated by Prof. Tania Groppi of the University of Siena; and is part of the European activities of the Tuscany region on issues of administrative decentralization. In addition to the Region, the Province of Siena and selected Tunisian universities are also participating. “In part thanks to our contribution, – explains Professor Groppi – which consisted in participation in seminars and meetings concerning the constitutional process, the Tunisian constitution upheld the concept of decentralization, and introduced for the first time in the history of Tunisia, the autonomy of local authorities, or Municipalité, drawing on the European Charter of Local Self-Government. The approval of this Constitution is a key element for the transition process within the “Arab Spring” and is an important event for Italy and its unique geographical position in the Mediterranean. In fact, Italy has a unique constitutional experience that a country like Tunisia may look at with great interest. The activities are also linked to sustainability issues, which include human rights within the Mediterranean, a key research area within our university.” Siena’s support of the Tunisian constitutional process will continue in the coming months to help establish and promote democratic and participatory practices. There will be training course on decentralization and participation for university students, civil servants, public officials, and members of civil society, as well as a meeting between Italy and Tunisia in Tunis and a conference in Italy assess the implementation of constitutional provisions and the future of the Tunisian Constitution.
