FRIEDRICH-NAUMANNFOUNDATION FOR FREEDOM
Alba Çako
EU- Liaison Manager
Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom
“Democracy does not belong to any
country or any region but it‘s a
universal right.“
Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations
THE GERMAN POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS

Play an important role in upholding the German Constitution.

Lesson from the Weimar Republic: Democracies need
democrats. For democracy to succeed you need informed
citizens (Civic education).

Pluralism: All political parties represented in the German
Bundestag offer political education through their affiliated
foundations.
DIE FRIEDRICH-NAUMANN-STIFTUNG FOR FREEDOM
 Friedrich Naumann, 1860-1918
 Theologian and liberal politician
 Founder of the first „Staatsbürgerschule“
(Citizens‘ Academy) 1917
 Co-Founder (and later Chair) of the
German Democratic Party
FNF
1958 Founded by Theodor Heuss
1963 Start of the international work
In Germany:
Deutschland:
Abroad:
66Regionalreferate:
Regional desks:
Present
Auf 4on
Kontinenten
4 Continents
Südasien
South-&&Südost,Southeastasia
Ostasien
Middle-,
Mittel-,Southeast
Südost &&Osteuropa
Easteurope
Mediterranean
Mittelmeerländer
Countries
Afrika
Africa
Lateinamerika
Latin America
Europäische
European Instit.
Instit.
&&
North
Nordamerika
America
Desk
Querschnittsreferat
Multisectoral Tasks
DeskReferat
International
Internationale
Conferences
Konferenzen
and Programmes
und Programme
International
Politics
Standorte
Offices in in
4444
Countries
Ländern
Aktivitäten
Activities
in über
in more
60 Ländern
than 60 Countries
Regional Offices and Project Offices
MSOE, Sofia
EINA, Brüssel
MML, Cairo
LA, Mexico-City
SOOA, Bangkok
SA, New Dehli
Project Countries
Regional Offices
Africa, Johannesburg
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE FNF

Is part of the German foreign- and development policy

Focusses on development cooperation and peacepromotion

Fosters free market economy, the Rule of Law and
Human Rights
INSTRUMENTS OF OUR WORK ABROAD
POLITICAL EDUCATION
POLITICAL DIALOGUE
POLITICAL CONSULTING
OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF OUR WORK ABROAD
Implementation of the principles of Freedom and Responsibilities
by supporting the establishment of democratic structures
in accordance with market-economy and the Rule of Law.
WORKING BASIS OF OUR ACTIVITIES ABROAD
INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY
FOCAL ISSUES
FUNDING
GUIDELINES
OUR INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS




Liberal Political Parties
Think-Tanks, Research Institutes,
Universities, Associations
Local and Transnational Non-GovernmentalOrganisations
International Networks
(e.g. Liberal International, Economic Freedom
Network, CALD, RELIAL, NAL etc.)
STRENGTHS & CHANCES
Sustainable, long-term Partnerships
A very focused Agenda and a clear Set of Values


Effective Promotion of Liberal Values and Concepts
Contribute to democratic, economic and social development
CHALLENGES
 High volatility of partners especially regarding
political partners
 The emergence of new powers
 Threat of democracy and the rule of law in
several countries
 Crisis of liberalism
EXCURSION: THE FNF AND THE „ARABELLION“

FNF has 6 offices in 11 countries in the region

FNF began its work abroad 1964 in Tunis and is
active in the region for almost 50 years
FNF in the Mediterranean Region/ Arab World
THREE PILLARS OF FNF-ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION:
(1) ORGANIZED POLITICAL LIBERALISM
(2) MEDIA, CITIZEN JOURNALISM, SOCIAL MEDIA
(3) HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
1. ORGANIZED POLITICAL LIBERALISM





2007: establishment of the Network of Arab Liberals
(NAL) with support of FNF
www.arab-liberals.net
Networking activities between NAL and ELDR
Establishment of the Union of Arab Liberal Youth
E.g. Trainings on the role of women and youth in
politics
2) MEDIA, CITIZEN JOURNALISM AND SOCIAL
MEDIA
 Trainings of journalists since 1964 in Tunisia
 Trainings of journalists working in the electronic
media, television and radio in Egypt since 2005
 Trainings for Bloggers and media representatives from
the region including from Libya
 Publication of a manual „Journalists and elections“ in
Arabic providing an explanation in clear and simple
terms of the press law and electoral system
 http://scr.bi/m0j1LT
3. HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
„Enhancing the legal framework of the freedom of
association in the Arab world through national
dialogue and empowerment of civil society“
 EU-FNF co-funded project 2007 – 2010
 The project covered five Arab countries: Egypt,
Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria with an outreach
component in Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria
 Initiation of a regional platform for dialogue: the Arab
Council for the Freedom of Association
 www.arab-laws-reform.net
THE WORK OF THE FNF AFTER THE REVOLUTIONS
 The Pillars proved to be accurate in Egypt. FNF adjusts its
engagement in terms of quantity, but not in quality.
 Tunisia is a „moving target“ after the Revolution. FNF has to
build up new project structures and look for new sustainable
partnerships.
 Libya might become a project country in the future. First workshops
on journalism/blogging were held already for Libyans in exile (Cairo).
SUPPORT FOR THE GERMAN POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS
 The FDP-led funding Ministries (Development Cooperation & Foreign)
emphasize the prominent role of the Political Foundations with regard
to the processes of transformation in Northern Africa
 New funds were issued very quickly – Time is an important factor!
 The acquisition of EU funds is being explored
CONCLUSION AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE




Importance of developing coherent democratization
strategies for the individual partner countries
Anticipating developments that affect partners on
their path to democracy through e.g. promoting
empowerment and local ownership
Importance of coordination and division of labour in
the area of development
Importance of cooperation through sharing of good
practices in networks such as the European Liberal
Forum
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!
EMAIL: ALBA.CAKO@FNST.ORG