Maydan Townhall is a live, town-hall–style debate produced in 2022 by the Munathara Initiative in collaboration with Democracy Reporting International (DRI), under the headline: “The Right to Mobility and Migration: Between Reality and Legislation.” Hosted by renowned presenter Elias Al Gharbi, the program aired on November 2, 2022. It featured ten young participants selected through an open call, alongside five guest speakers from civil society organizations and government bodies. Together, they compared constitutional and international guarantees of free movement with the lived experiences of Tunisians.
The discussion explored both external and internal barriers to mobility, examined the direct and indirect drivers of irregular migration, and analyzed how economic marginalization and policy gaps have fueled recent migratory trends. Contributors then proposed concrete steps toward a coherent national strategy to safeguard freedom of movement within and beyond Tunisia’s borders.
The broadcast reached audiences across local, national, and regional television and radio outlets, as well as via Munathara’s digital platforms. It was also interpreted into Tunisian Sign Language. By presenting the debate in a familiar public-forum format and combining personal testimony with expert analysis and interactive audience engagement, Maydan Townhall transformed abstract legal frameworks into a relatable and inclusive community dialogue.