Our charter
The Spirit of Almadanya
“Away from the political haggle and positioning occupying nowadays the post revolution elite, a small team of local and expatriate Tunisians joined me to study how effectively we could all play a role in civil society.“
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Our analysis
Why Almadanya ?
Our visits, interviews and consultations all over Tunisia in February, March and April 2011 have led us to two conclusions:
1. The already alarming unemployment rate is increasing since January 14 2011. In 23 years nobody has focused on linking the labor market needs to the educational and training system. Vocational training, the cornerstone of any sound economic and social cohesion has never been seriously considered.
2. Wealth, infrastructure and economic opportunities are all concentrated in the coastal areas. Entire regions have been indeed neglected and inland populations have been for generations deprived of any economic attractiveness, cultural or social perspectives. It is from these two observations that Almadanya idea was born. Its founding members have traveled post-revolutionary Tunisia to listen and understand the grievances and expectations of our citizens. As a result, Almadanya was set to articulate and fund an immediate and coherent response.
This is how and why Almadanya was born.
Philosophy
1. Almadanya is open to all and no political conditionality is attached to benefitting from its programs. There is no Contradiction between supporting Almadanya and pursuing separate political activities.
2. Almadanya does not replace existing structures. For example, instead of engaging new vehicles for our rural technicians in the context of our small farmer support program, we rely on the existing rural private transport network. Instead of creating new driving schools, Almadanya is currently using existing ones to implement its program: License to Dream.
3. At the centre of development is the cardinal rule of joint and equal role for men and women. With no gender-based, predetermined tasks or responsibilities. Democracy is founded on the principle of non-discrimination. We therefore demand absolute parity between men and women among the recipients of the programs.
4. The first priority is granted to the unemployed and to inland areas.
5. Almadanya refrains from soliciting funds for the Tunisian government so as not to compete with other smaller associations.
6. No salary is paid and no benefits in kind are granted to the President or to any member of Almadanya.
7. Almadanya is not intended to solve all the problems of Tunisia. It simply aims at inspiring. The message to convey is that Tunisians must give back to their country, instill a sense of belonging in the civil society, and reconcile the disenchanted among them (ie most of the people) with dreams and aspirations. The time for action not talk.
Rules and Principles
Transparency and ethics are central to the initiative of Almadanya not only because it reflects the philosophy, education and morality of its founder and of the executive board members of its Directoire but also because the new democracy so demands. Tunisian civil society, scalded by decades of lies, fabrications and looting legitimately requires a clear explanation regarding any new initiative, in order to appreciate its scope, motivation and true value.
This is why:
1. Almadanya is regularly incorporated under Tunisian law, subject to its disclosures and legal constraints.
2. Sources of funding are all disclosed. They come from its founding president and members. They are all Tunisians based in Tunisia or abroad.
3. For more impact and effectiveness, some programs may be open to co-financing and partners are then disclosed on the website and in the context of our reporting for accounting or even communication purposes.
4. Accounts are audited by an accountant regularly registered and member of the accountancy board in Tunisia.
5. No program entails or requires a contribution from the recipients directly or indirectly.
6. No portion of any contributions will serve to cover Almadanya’s expenses so that 100% of funds raised shall be earmarked for financing the programs. Charges will all be borne by the founding President and members. A member nay even decide that none of his or her contribution be used to cover charges. In which case the founding president would step in as he case may be.
7. Almadanya is democratic and non-political.