Summer School 2023

Within the framework of a regional summer school held between 27 and 30 July, the Regional Programme Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS PolDiMed) brought together in Tunis, Tunisia, young civil society and political activists, and professionals from Algeria, Jordan, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Palestine to develop a better understanding of the tenets of the German foreign policy especially after Russia’s war on Ukraine.

The 20 participants learnt more about the turning point (Zeitenwende) in Germany's foreign policy as well as its priorities, but also concrete examples such as Germany's involvement in the Berlin Libya process.  The future of the Euro-Mediterranean relations and how the EU cooperates with the Southern Mediterranean countries were also candidly discussed during the summer school.

The lectures and panels discussions were led by Mr Jacob Schrot, Associate Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and Visiting Lecturer on Foreign and Security Policy at the Hertie School of Governance, and Mr Youssef Cherif, Political Analyst. The speakers’ mastery of the topics tackled was quite enlightening and enriching to the debate.

KAS PolDiMed organized also a lunch discussion with selected ambassadors, including the ambassador of Ukraine.

The summer school was an opportunity to exchange views on the region’s most pressing challenges and prospects by highlighting Germany’s efforts in upholding the Liberal international order and providing valuable insights on the realities on the ground in Europe’s Southern Neighborhood.