28 December 2013 ,Hotel Elmechtel,Simply
put, it is the first opportunity that engaged the most talented and
gifted young people to the future of Tunisia. It is the initiative that
challenged the general norms of the country and introduced the youth’s
power and enthusiasm to the public and professionals. In no better
timing, this startup considered the most controversial issue nationwide
and proved that youth does not only have a say about it, but it can also
change it. This opportunity was given to those who believed in their
potentials and wanted to invest them into effective plans of actions for
the benefit of their country.
The first edition of this startup launched in Tunisia marked a
milestone in the history of empowering youth. Hosted by Young Leaders
Entrepreneurs and a team of organizers mentors and coaches, a group of
100 participants aged 17-21 lived an experience out of this world. These
participants embarked on a short yet stressful journey in the field of
entrepreneurship. It was a test to their originality, innovation and
ability to work hard in groups of strangers under a stressful
circumstance: the 20 hours!
Divided into groups of ten, the participants learned briefly about
leadership skills, projects management and other related crucial factors
when it comes to launching a project. Indeed, they had to come up with
the most original and practical project that would serve the next
national elections. During the 20 hours, every group needed to unite
efforts and join skills to introduce an accurate overview and a detailed
plan of action. The purposes of this project were mainly to engage more
youth in the voting process, incorporate maximum use of IT and
essentially guarantee efficacy and utility. A jury of experts would
evaluate these projects and award the best out of the ten with valuable
presents, but most importantly, a sponsorship chance.
In this regard, Socrates, the winning team conquered the floor and
gained the trust of the sponsoring representatives thanks to its
project:
Kyane Kassiri as a mentor,Oumayma Yaakoubi,Ala Yaakoub,Achraf
Hamraoui,Anas chatti,Chayma Kortli,Seifeddine mahjoubi,Aymen Selmi,Seif
wefi ,and Rebh Shaima as a one solid team came up with a crystal-clear idea.They thought about using football as a
tool of awareness instead of being a culminator of violence.
Thir project was basically about launching an association named
“TUNELECT( (short for ” Tunisia Election “).They will arrange workshops
adressed to a number of their regional office members to spread the word
of citizenship and democracy.
Thanks to the creation of interactive websites,audio-conferences
,Smartphone applications :their representatives and followers in romote
areas will be updated .Furthermore,They will organize some sports
activities and tournaments , where football stars are present ,to
attract youth .Such activities and even singing contests along with a
great campaign “WHY”(3LECH) supported by media and scoiety stakeholders
are important and innovative in motivating Tunisian youth to vote.
One project was at stake, but dozens of ideas and plans floated among
these participants. The Count Down allowed these talented individuals to
voice out the best of their ideas and leave the jury and the guests at
awe. It was a triumph for Tunisia altogether and it was high time this
sort of power meets with the professionals for guidance and support.
Moreover, these participants showed complete readiness and preparation
to start working on their projects concretely, with all the tools
they’ve got. Accordingly, the media (TVs, local radios…) and the
concerned people (political parties, political studies experts…)
demonstrated absolute attentiveness and seriousness and considered this
initiative to be a leading first-step toward a more democratic and
stable status quo.
These participants surely benefited from the colorful atmosphere that
this opportunity provided; making new friends, competition, attention,
dancing, fatigue, determination, disputes, creation and lots of other
layers marking this startup as incredible. These same participants went
home confident and proud for what they accomplished in only 20 hours.
Can you imagine what they are capable of achieving in 20 years? I know
my country is doing more than imagination; it’s eagerly waiting for this
day.
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