With Ben Ali 2009

Why We Vote Ben Ali

2009-10-17T13:45:00.004+01:00

There are certain moments in the history of nations which acquire special significance because of the nature of the choices taken, often in dire times, when clarity of vision and political courage are as rare as necessary.

In the history of Tunisia, November 7, 1987, was a momentous event which wrestled the country away from the political and economic chaos that was threatening to engulf it and undermine its fundamental civilizational tenets based on modernity, enlightenment, gender equality and solidarity.

Responding to the call of duty, one man has set Tunisia back on track at a crucial time of its history, pacifying the country and giving it a new impulse whose momentum is still helping it steer a place for itself in the concert of nations, as testified by the various international rankings, testimonials and distinctions Tunisia receives each day.

That man is President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Today as the country prepares for another momentous event, the 2009 presidential and legislative elections, we feel it is time to take stock of the achievements and challenges facing the country.

Undeniably, and in spite of the country’s limited natural resources much has been achieved since the advent of the Change, the economy has been re- energized, infrastructure has been buttressed, use of ICT is soaring , women’s rights consolidated and the country’s confidence in itself restored. In a region which is characterized by its instability and lurking threats of terrorism, Tunisia has been spared the terrible price of civil strife or warfare ; considered by many as a haven of peace, the country is pursuing its development little affected by the global recession and the impending doom and gloom.

Moreover, pluralism is now an integral part of Tunisia’s political landscape, human rights have now acquired a comprehensive dimension and solidarity is not simply a buzz word, but a fact of life, as well as one of the pillars of development.

With some 4 million Tunisians under 22, the challenges ahead in terms of education, training and employment are many. However so is the potential the country is capable of unleashing.
An economic powerhouse in Africa and in the Maghreb, Ben Ali’s Tunisia is also an element of peace and stability in the region. A voice of moderation, tolerance and dialogue, Tunisia has largely contributed to peace- keeping missions and in promoting an active diplomacy which has earned it the respect of many nations throughout the world. It has also joined international efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism and to foster sustainable development.

All these achievements however are not the result of some miracle or felicitous providence, but of the capacity of a man to inspire faith in Tunisian skills and competencies, and of a prospective and pragmatic vision that is based on the firm belief that the promotion of human resources is always a worthwhile bet.

This is why the work engaged 22 years ago must continue, the Change must be pursued, a new dawn is rising and the stakes for the coming 5 years will determine the country’s future societal project.

On Sunday October 25, as Tunisians voters will choose from 4 candidates representing a broad spectrum of Tunisian political life, we remain more than ever convinced that Ben Ali is the country’s best chance.

More than ever, we need a president who already has and will inspire Tunisians to carry on the process undertaken since the Change, a president who inspires us to dream and challenges us to take action, a president who can build the future and who is committed to improve the life of Tunisians, a president who keeps his pledge. That man, is PresidentBen Ali.

Please send your support messages to : blogs@benali.tn

Mustapha Nasraoui (President of the University of Jendouba), Imed Ben Ammar (University of Manouba), Sadok Bouhlila (University of Manouba), Mohamed Chagraoui (University of Tunis, el Manar), Hassen Maaref (University of Monastir), Jaleleddine Boussedra (University of Manouba), Mohamed Haddad (Holder of UNESCO Chair of comparative religious, University of Manouba), Faiza Derbel (University of Manouba), Hichem Hlioui (University of Manouba) Mabrouk Trabelsi (University of Tunis), Mhamed Ali Maaref (November 7 University at Carthage), Mounir Bezzarga (University of Tunis), Adnene Abdelghani (November 7 University at Carthage), Fredj Hassen (University of Monastir), Larbi Sfaxi (University of Monastir), Bechir Ben Hassine( University of Monastir), Narjess Ben Yedder (November 7 University at Carthage), Salwa Ayari (University of Sfax), Rim Triki (University of Tunis, el Manar), Amel Haddad (University of Tunis, el Manar), Aida Haddad (University of Jendouba), Asma Gaaloul (University of Jendouba), Dorra Maalej (University of Jendouba), Dorra Touzri (University of Jendouba), TO BE CONTINUED...

A Great Man and 24 Promises for a Brighter Future

2009-10-15T10:23:00.002+01:00

Pr. Imed Ben Ammar
(University of Manouba; Chair of the RCD Section of the Academics of the Higher Institute of Applied Languages and Computer Sciences at Béja)

A memorable day was October 11, 2009. How can we, Tunisians, forget those moments of joy and happiness, hearing our leader, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, deliver his Electoral Campaign Address? One can only feel pride and hope discovering the 24 items of our leader’s new project for Tunisia.

Those are 24 promises and 24 would-be facts which every single Tunisian man and woman, wherever they may be, shall benefit from soon.

Closing ranks with President Ben Ali in Rades

2009-10-14T21:01:00.002+01:00

Hichem Hlioui
(University of Manouba)

Some 12,500 people attended President Ben Zine El Abidine’s Ali’s address at the Rades indoor stadium on Sunday. The address which was delivered on the occasion of the opening of the 2009 presidential and legislative campaign, was a truly momentous event which showed the strong communion between those present and the President.
Chanting slogans of support and encouragement, thousands of Tunisians from all generations raised banners expressing their support to President Ben Ali’s candidacy and applauding with enthusiasm to the pioneering initiatives he announced during his address.

Activists from the Democratic Constitutional Rally, but also simple Tunisian citizens, waved and sang as President Ben Ali presented many of the 24 items of his electoral program dubbed “Together We Meet Challenges”.

Wearing purple caps and brandishing small Tunisian flags, the audience rejoiced celebrating their leader and displaying an unconditional support to his policies which have helped usher Tunisia among the ranks of the top emerging nations in the world.
I, like millions of my fellow Tunisians, old and young, strongly believe that President Ben Ali is the best presidential candidate for our country on the strength of his impressive record during the past 22 years.

Mr President, we support you and your policies whole heartedly and will stand by you in the daunting task of building a better and more prosperous Tunisia!

President Ben Ali’s ambitious program for Higher Education in Tunisia

2009-10-14T10:30:00.004+01:00

Sadok Bouhlila
(Head of English Graduate Studies:Manouba University)

As an academic I was particularly impressed by President Ben Ali’s items 16 and 17 of his electoral program for 2009-2014 which are dedicated to higher education and scientific research.

Much has been accomplished since the Change in terms of setting up a knowledge society and upgrading training in Tunisian universities, however President Ben Ali’s program gives new impetus to the reform engaged in Tunisian higher education, especially insofar as the implementation of the LMD system is concerned.

The new system which will offer increased job opportunities for Tunisian students thanks to the judicious initiative aiming at orienting two thirds of students towards applied bachelor degrees by 2014.

The point relative to “giving humanities their due status to serve national intellectual assets and meet social need in the fields they cover”, will no doubt rejoice many academics and students specializing in the humanities.

Similarly, the point related to setting up joint diplomas between Tunisian Higher Education institutions and universities in developed countries is both timely as it is essential. It also involves increasing the number of research projects that use English, with the State bearing the costs of the language training of researchers in line with international standards.
President Ben Ali’s program for Higher Education is truly groundbreaking, in setting up priorities and in addressing major national concerns such as employment for university graduates, he is paving the way for tomorrow’s university for all Tunisians.

Tunisians on top of President Ben Ali’s agenda

2009-10-14T10:25:00.001+01:00

Salwa AYARI
(Faculty of Arts and Letters of Sfax)

The Presidential address delivered on October 11 2009 was perfectly commensurate with the challenges to be met. It was also a perfect instantiation of a mutual engagement between the leader and his people.

It was a harmonious tableau exposing an uncompromised devotion of a leader committed to attend, in the most infinitesimal detail, to the preoccupations of his people and an incommensurable loyalty of citizens expressing their renewed attachment, admiration, faith, and gratitude to his person.

Not surprisingly, the address disclosed a program tailored according to the needs, concerns, interests, and aspirations of Tunisians. Whether in its social, economic or political facet, the program was entirely designed by them and for them.
The vibrating event of yesterday in Rades was not simply that of citizens applauding a president delivering a political speech. The person s peaking yesterday was rather a caring, affectionate head of a large family whose priority is to live up to the commitment to ensure decency, prosperity, and well being for
his family members. The man or his politics, we are fascinated by both.

We would like to express

2009-10-14T10:20:00.001+01:00

Asma Maaoui Gaaloul, Dorra Maalej, Aida Haddad
(University teachers and members of the RCD Academics Section of The Higher Institute of Applied Languages and Computer Sciences at Béja; The University of Jendouba.)

We would like to express our pride at being Tunisian women position of whom in society is being recurrently valued and constantly celebrated. The presidential exceptional address to Tunisians in Radès on October 11, 2009 came to further endorse this privileged stand.

We equally feel the honor of being teachers and researchers in the Higher Education sector wherein women are no longer striving to be accepted as equal members of this academic community. We are honored to be active, fully-recognized members of a modernized educational and research system.
Tunisia, under the leadership of President Ben Ali, is definitely a source of pride to all of us, Tunisian women and academics.

As citizens of a pioneering Arab country in the area of scientific research, technological, and educational innovation, we strongly acknowledge the efforts deployed by the President in this regard. Tunisia has particularly succeeded in being a unique model with its comprehensive orientation towards education-related concerns.
President Ben Ali’s declarations in this address further tie in educational, economic and social interests through well-planned reforms that would guarantee a high-quality training for better job opportunities.