Zaama Townhall is a civic engagement project by the Munathara Initiative that brings citizens and decision-makers together for open, fact-based dialogue on urgent public issues. Moving beyond the binary “for or against” debate model, it offers a space for exploring complex realities, particularly those affecting youth across the Arab world. The first episode, aired in March 2021, and focused on Tunisia’s controversial Law 52, one of the world’s harshest drug laws. It examined the law’s legal, social, and health implications, especially on young people, who make up the majority of those imprisoned under it. Broadcast across 27 channels and viewed by over 2.58 million people, the townhall featured ministers, legal experts, activists, and affected citizens. It culminated in youth participants presenting policy proposals live on air- an unprecedented moment in Tunisian media. The second episode, aired in November 2021, and tackled the growing phenomenon of irregular migration. Under the title “Al Harqa... 3lash?” (“Irregular migration… why?”), it explored the desperation driving young Tunisians to risk their lives at sea, highlighting systemic issues such as unemployment, exclusion, and institutional neglect. The program centered real stories and called for a national conversation on dignity, opportunity, and reform. The third episode, held in December 2022, addressed the alarming rise in domestic violence, especially against women and children. Under the theme “Where is domestic violence coming from?”, it brought together civil society leaders, youth, legal experts, and representatives from the Ministry of Women and Family. The discussion tackled structural failures despite existing legal protections and sought community-driven pathways to safety and justice. By turning the spotlight on underrepresented voices and promoting inclusive dialogue, Zaama Townhall creates space for democratic participation and public accountability. It reimagines political discourse as a collaborative process- where youth are not only heard but help shape the solutions.
