FES in the MENA Region
About FES in the MENA Region
The promotion of social democratic values is at the heart of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) activities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In an increasingly interconnected and globalised world, challenges such as political stability, economic development, social justice, and security go beyond the national level. Solutions to new challenges must be found on a regional or global level. Therefore, FES regional projects aim at improving and expanding regional cooperation and coordination.
Since the early 1960s, the FES has been promoting the values and ideas of social democracy in the MENA region. It has a network of 11 national offices abroad. In these offices, 14 members of FES staff seconded from Germany work together with 136 staff members from the respective countries. At the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Berlin headquarters, 13 employees work in the MENA department, which was established in 1999 as part of the FES Division for International Cooperation.
The FES is committed to social justice, democracy, peace, freedom, and international cooperation. Partners for achieving these goals are trade unions, political parties, civil society organisations, research institutions, parliaments, and government institutions. The FES analyses political, socio-economic, and social developments, promotes political education, advises on topics such as social justice and workers' rights, sustainable economy, climate and energy policy, regional dialogue, and conflict prevention, and supports cooperation and exchange in the region with Germany and Europe.
Learn more about FES in the MENA Region and visit the German website
Regional Climate and Energy Project
(based in Jordan)
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is suffering more from the implications of climate change than most other world regions. The rise in extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts, a growing shortage of water, desertification and harvest losses that come with rising costs of food, are some of the most obvious consequences.
Find out more about the regional project here
Regional Project on Political Feminism
(based in Lebanon)
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, women have been on the frontline of protests calling for social justice, with their participation proving crucial during the different waves of the Arab Spring. Yet, the mainstream public discourse around tackling the mounting social, economic, and political crises, and eradicating the injustices associated with the current situation and the anticipated changes, often overlooks women’s voices and feminist perspectives.
Find out more about the regional project here
FES MENA Blog
(International Politics and Society)
From Beirut to Khartoum and from Rabat to Teheran, our FES colleagues, partners as well as guest contributors share their insights from the ground and offer food for thought on current developments in the MENA region.
The views expressed in this blog series are not necessarily those of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
Find out more about the blog here
Regional Project on Economic Policies for Social Justice
(based in Tunisia)
Social Justice with its political and economic relevance are at the core of politics in the Arab world today. The uprisings of 2010/11 have exposed the ultimate need for political and especially economic reforms. It has become more and more obvious, that the current economic order of the Arab World is not sustainable, neither socially, economically or ecologically. The need for economic policies for Social Justice is pressing – and growing.
Find out more about the regional project here
Regional Peace and Security Project
(based in Lebanon)
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is currently home to many of the world’s deadliest conflicts, many unsolved sectarian and ethnic tensions as well as meddling of global and regional powers. As a result of the so-called Arab Spring, fragmentation and instability have grown in many countries of the region. While the old political order is eroding, the region is missing an alternative concept of political order which could build a framework for security, peace and prosperity in the region.
Find out more about the regional project here
Regional Trade Union Programme
(based in Tunisia)
Through the regional trade union project, FES pursues the following objectives:
- Consolidating the regional trade union structures in the MENA region and providing support for women's and youth structures.
- Promoting regional cooperation between unions
- Elaborating strategies and trade union position on the socio-economic themes such as social security, migration, informal sector and climate change.
- Developing e-learning methods to strengthen the knowledge about workers right.
Find out more about the regional project here
Contact
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Department for the Middle East and North Africa Division for International Development Cooperation
Mrs. Elisabeth Braune
Hiroshimastraße 28
10785 Berlin
MENA Region Offices
Algeria Office :
algeria.fes.de
Jordan Office :
jordan.fes.de
Lebanon Office :
lebanon.fes.de
Morocco Office :
maroc.fes.de
Palestinian Territories Office :
palestine.fes.de
Sudan / South Sudan Office :
sudan.fes.de
Syria Office :
syria.fes.de
Tunisia Office :
tunisia.fes.de
Yemen Office :
yemen.fes.de