The annual event is organized by the National Board of Tunisian Expatriates,

Mr. Naceur Gharbi Minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisian Expatriates stressed that in order to consolidate the Tunisian expatriate skills’ participation in the national development process requires an institutional framework, notably through a data system and communication mechanisms that help make them better known.

He also expressed willingness to develop these skills’ register, which includes 8,348 competences, up to late May, 2010, from European, Northern American and northern Asian countries.

Participants put emphasis on the importance to direct efforts towards setting up contact spaces between the Tunisian home skills with those residing abroad, and use modern communication to create interactive networks, as well as holding conferences and forums.

Some 100 youth leaders of civil society representing 40 French-speaking countries, members of diplomatic representations in Tunis and several international organizations and national youth structures took part in the event.

The event is organized by the International Francophone Organization (IOF) in partnership with the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Conference of French-Speaking Countries’ Youth and Sport Ministers (CONFEJES),

On the occasion, Mr. Samir Laabidi Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Education stressed Tunisia’s pride at hosting this event which is “concomitant, this year, with the opening of the International Youth Year, proclaimed by the United Nations at President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s initiative.”

“President Ben Ali’s initiative to proclaim 2010 International Youth Year will convey young people’s aspirations to the heads of State and Government during the next Francophony Summit, to be held next October in Montreux, Switzerland”, said Mr. Clément Duhaime, IOF administrator who also expressed gratitude to President Ben Ali for sponsoring this French-speaking youths’ gathering

Mr. Mohamed Laghemary, director of ISESCO’s foreign and co-operation relations extended the regards of the Organisation’s Director-General, Mr. Abdelaziz Altwaijri, who commended President Ben Ali’s initiative to proclaim 2010 International Youth Year and his call to hold a World Youth Conference.

Secretary-General of the Conference French-Speaking Countries’ Youth and Sports Ministers Youssouf Fall stressed youths’ contribution to the French-speaking countries’ development.

The event which was organized by the Centre of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR) aims at promoting the integration of women in society, its presence in political life and contribution to the development process.

Opening the event, Mrs. Bebia Bouhnak Chihi, Minister of Women, Family, Children and the Elderly Affairs, referred to the achievements of Tunisian women.

The Minister also stressed First Lady, Leila Ben Ali, Chairwoman of the Arab Women Organization (AWO), proposal to hold the third congress of the organization in October 2010, on the theme “Arab Women, a  key partner in the process of sustainable development.”

On her part, Ms. Soukeina Bouraoui, executive director of (CAWTAR) stressed that the contribution of women in the democratic processes is “fundamental”.

Mr. Guillero Caro, director of Spanish cooperation in Tunisia, welcomed the partnership with all stakeholders , saying that it will improve the status of women especially in rural areas.

Led by CAWTAR in collaboration with the Institute of International Research and Training in the United Nations for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW), the project was launched in Algeria and Morocco and funded by the Spanish government.

The 2010 Year of Youth was endorsed by the UN General Assembly, on Tunisia’s initiative. Several activities, including conferences and sports venues are scheduled to take place all over the world to commemorate the event.

Experts from Tunisia, France, Belgium, Canada and Germany took part in the event.

The event aims at bringing closer information on migration and the prospects of youths’ mobility as well as to further sensitize on legal migration and the various opportunities offered to migrant workers.

It also aims at discussing the issue of making migration a better ordered process, encourage signing of consulted management agreements on the migratory flow between the homeland and the hosting country and guarantee a better protection to immigrants’ rights.

Works of the symposium also discussed themes as “Migration, Job Opportunities for Youths,” “Illegal Migration of Youths: Legislation,” “Emigration of Skilled Youths” and “Youths’ Emigration: Civil Society’s Role.”

“Tunisia is the only North African country to have signed an agreement with France on consulted management of migratory flow, an accord which notably turns on boosting youths’ vocational training and encouraging legal migration” said Mr. Naceur Gharbi minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisian Expatriates.

Mr. Peter Schatzer, head of the International Organization for Migration’s mission in Rome, commended the level of co-operation between Tunisia and IOM in coping with the issue of immigration.

He also reminded that several pilot programs were set up by both sides in co-development, labor migration and support to dialogue on migration sectors.

He stressed the IOM’s efforts to sensitize to the important contribution of immigrants to the social and economic development in both the countries of their origin and the hosting ones, and encourage respecting the dignity and well being of the immigrants.

This new realization that was launched on July, 1 2010 was created at an estimated investment cost of about 3.5 million dinars. It covers an area of 15,000 square meters with a capacity of about 1000 people per day.

“Aqualand” city is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., it includes 5 games namely “the slider body, a water ride, two slides “multi-slider “with a staircase of 9 meters high, and a wave pool.

A delegation of representatives of national media held on Friday a tour in order to take cognizance of the project achievements.

The general manager of “Aqualand” said that the city meets the safety standards. He also stressed that special rates were set for all age groups, and for the disabled, in addition to weekly subscriptions and group rates.

Representatives of Arab and Mediterranean countries’ youth organizations took part in the event.

The seminar, whose second part is due to be held from July 25 to 30, in Sicily, Italy, is organized in association with the Arab League, the European Council and European Youth Forum.

Mr. Faouzi Aouam, deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) in charge of structures, stressed that the theme of this meeting testifies the will of President Ben Ali and leaders of the Arab and Mediterranean countries to boost rapprochement among peoples of the region.

The RCD deputy Secretary-General said that this seminar which “is a new landmark on the path of the edification of democracy and the consecration of the value of citizenship” coincides with the opening of the first session of Youth Parliament, on July 25.

Mr. Khaled Louhichi, director of Youth and Sports Department to the Arab League, stressed that this meeting will provide the occasion to hold the third Arab-European Commission of youth organizations.

On his part, European Youth Forum chairman John Ikman reasserted the Forum’s commitment to advocate social equality and youth’s association in public life, in collaboration with the governments and youth organizations.  He stressed that youth should be associated in addressing issues touching on their concerns and aspirations.

Secretary-General of Italy’s Youth Council, Mr. Giovanni Corbo, put emphasis on the necessity to boost the Mediterranean co-operation relations to shield the region’s stability of against the dangers of marginalization, calling on youth organizations to co-ordinate their efforts to boost the spirit of solidarity between Mediterranean youths.

Following a vote by parliament, corporal punishment of minors by their parents will be considered a penal offence.

AFP notes that the amendment does away with a legal provision that stipulates that such punishment by those who have authority over a child cannot be prosecuted.

Justice and Human Rights Minister, Lazhar Bououny said the amendment was meant to avoid the consequences of violence against children and encourage “relations based on mutual respect, dialogue and understanding”. In a related move Parliament also set the legal age at 18, in line with the penal age and the right to vote.

Tunisia has signed all international covenants including the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.

With soaring costs amounting to 60,000 dinars (about 40,000 US dollars) for each casualty, and 12,000 dinars (8,000 US dollars) for every injured, authorities are leaving no stone unturned in tackling this scourge, which is taking a heavy toll on the most active, 18-45 age bracket.

Following the publication of the WHO report in 2009 (Global Status Report on Road Safety), Tunisia’s national agency of road accident prevention, decided to organize an International Festival for Road Safety Campaigns, immediately followed by an International Forum for Young Drivers. The report says road accidents are responsible for 1, 3 million deaths throughout the world.

Tunisia’s campaign for the prevention of road accidents is proceeding unabated, with on the menu, the holding of sensitization campaigns on the causes of road accidents, notably speed, fatigue, alcohol consumption and the increasing use of mobile phones.

The country, which recently amended its road traffic laws including harsher penalties for offenders, is also targeting Tunisians living abroad. This is mainly carried out through the launching of a vigorous road safety campaign on board the many car ferries operating from France and Italy to Tunisia.

The national agency of road accident prevention has also released a myriad of CD –Rom’s and TV sensitization spots, featuring the testimonials by artists and famous sportsmen on the importance of civic behavior and the respect of traffic laws.

The hot weather spell is expected to last until Friday and temperatures will drop by the end of the week throughout Tunisia.

The weather authority has also issued warnings to protect children and elderly people from exposure to the sun and to hydrate oneself on a regular basis.