"Tunisia: From Dictatorship to a Democratic Era"

Tunisia has enjoyed more than 3000 years of a rich civilization and culture. After its independence from French colonization in 1956, Tunisia lived under its first Republic, during which it achieved progressive political and social reforms, in addition to steady economic growth.

This Era of growth and reforms was followed by a period of 23 years of dictatorship, culminating in what has become known as the “Jasmin Revolution”, inspiring political protests to many other within the Arab world.

What are some of the political and social changes in Tunisia and whole region?

Dr Salah Bourjini is a former division chief of UNDP (United Nations Development Program) in New York for the UNDP programs in the Arab word. He also served a distinguished career as the United Nation’s Resident Coordinator in Iraq during the Gulf War, in Libya during the era of U.N. sanctions and most recently, Kuwait. During the 1980′s under Tunisia’s President Habib Bourguiba, Dr. Bourjini served in Tunisia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a “diplomate extraordinaires”, as well as an economic advisor to two consecutive Ministers of the Economy.

Dr Bourjini has also devoted years to teaching, having been a professor of economics at the University of Tunis, as well as a unique source for insight on international affairs. He has published numerous articles in specialized reviews dealing with topics ranging from economics, human resources, education, globalization, sustainable development and diplomacy, to name but a few topics.

Despite having “retired” from the United Nations, Dr Bourjini is frequently called to serve as senior consultant to U.N organizations and as an adviser to NGOs, in addition to participating in a number of international seminars, as well as at the Diplomatic Institute of Tunis.

Following the January 2011 Revolution, Dr. Bourjini returned to TUNISIA, where he has been serving as a consultant to various aspects of Civil Society. In addition, he is involved in the production of a documentary film dealing with social and political changes taking place since the Revolution.

Dr. Bourjini balances his life between New York and Tunis, enabling him to enjoy his life with his family and children.