TUNISIANorth-East of AFRICA

*Algeria to the West *Libya to the South*Mediterranean Sea to the nort and to the east

*165.000 km2*10.000.000 Habitants

TUNISIA THROUGH THE CENTURIES

Tunisians traded and interacted with other Mediterranean cultures since the 12th century B.C.*7000 to 4500 B.C. Capsian Civilization*814 B.C. Carthage Foundation*264 to 146 B.C. : The Punic Wars with Rome (3)

264 to 241 B. C. * First Punic War218 to 202 B. C. * Hannibal’s War (Elephant

mounted expedition by Hannibal across the Alps)146 B. C. * Downfall of Carthage

*146 B.C. to 439: Africa, a Roman Province (Tunisia Prospered as the granary of the Roman Empire, the many splendid archeological sites which dot the tunisian landscape today attest to Tunisia’s prominent position in the empire).

TUNISIA THROUGH THE CENTURIES

*363 to 374: Saint Augustin teaches in Carthage*439: The Vandals take over Carthage*533: The Byzantines take over Carthage*647 to 698: Islamic Conquest of Ifriqya (Tunisia)*698: Carthage becomes an Arab Province*1270: Saint Louis (founder of Saint Louis Cathedral) dies in Carthage*1535: Tunis taken by Charles Quint*1574: Tunisia becomes an Ottoman Empire

*May 12th, 1881: Advent of French Protectorate(75 years of French Protectorate)

TUNISIA THROUGH THE CENTURIES

*March 20th, 1956: Independence of Tunisia

*August 13th, 1956: Promulgation of the Code of the Personal Status granting Women legal equality with men, Prohibition of polygamy)*July 25th, 1957: Habib BOURGUIBA, First President of the Republic of Tunisia*June 1st, 1959: Adoption of the First Constitution of the Republic of Tunisia*November 7th, 1987:Zine El Abidine BEN ALI, Second President of the Republic of Tunisia

HIGHER EDUCATION

*13 Universities, *16919 Teachers *365.000 Students

*Physical Sciences: 12138*Mathematics and Statistics: 9748*Computer Sciences: 37372*Engineering: 26948*Agriculture: 8383*Health: 18145

*Student/Teacher ratio: 19*Percentage of Female Students: 58,1%

Research Laboratories: 85 Research Members: 3474

Research Units: 507 Research Members: 8112

EMANCIPATION OF THE WOMEN

Tunisia has made the promotion of the women in all walks of life, and their involvement in the development process, one of the cornerstones of its social policy. *August 13th, 1956 : Promulgation of the Code of the Personal Status granting women legal equality with men, Abolition of polygamy and repudiation, Tunisian women were able to enjoy the benefits of a successful family planning program, They were also given the right to vote and be elected to public office, to education, to equal pay for equal work,…)

EMANCIPATION OF THE WOMEN

Tunisian women hold a distinguished place in political life: *Five cabinet members are women*More than 20% of the seats in parliament and in the municipal councils are hold by womenWomen accounts today for:*58.1% of University students*20% of senior business executives*25% of magistrates; *26% of journalists*35% of Doctors; *65% of Pharmacists*41% of teachers in the University*About 40% of women in the 25-35 years work

MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE

*Tunisia has played an active part in the Middle East peace process, It has participated in all stages of multilateral negotiations and contributed to carrying out the agreements made between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.*Tunisia was the first country of the southern Mediterranean to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union (July 17th, 1995)*Carthage City hosted in 1995 a symposium on the “Teaching of Tolerance in the Mediterranean(Carthage Charter on Tolerance in the Mediterranean)

MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE

Tunisia hosted in December 2003 the First summit of the Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue Known as 5+5: Five countries from Europe (France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Malta) and Five countries from the southern Mediterranean (Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Mauritania). This Summit was a good and important opportunity to establish an Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue with more peace, solidarity and equality.

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