Within the framework of the South Programme II – a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe for the promotion and strengthening of democracy and human rights in the Mediterranean region, a regional seminar with the title “Democracy and climate change: Possible South-South and North-South partnerships to stabilise transition in the South-Mediterranean” was held in Marrakesh from 16 to 18 November 2016.

The seminar was organised in the margins of the COP22 summit by the Citizenship School of Political Studies in Morocco, in cooperation with the Tunisian School of Politics, the Council of Europe, and the Moroccan Coalition for Climate Justice. It followed on from the enthusiasm shown by civil society for the creation of spaces for dialogue between those involved in the process of democratic consolidation.

Several experts, from both shores of the Mediterranean and from several West African countries participated in this meeting, representing various academic, political and civil society institutions, as well as regional and international institutions of democracy and human rights.

Over the course of the two-day seminar, three main topics were discussed:

Challenges relating to the stability of the political and democratic transition process in the southern Mediterranean region, with a focus on challenges related to cross-border risks and collective security; the fight against terrorism; the management of migratory flows and the impact of climate change in the region.

Democracy and climate change & issues relating to coherent local development, with a focus on local authorities and governance approaches in the context of current climate challenges, links between governments and citizens and the role of dialogue in preventing climate change.

Aspects of the South-South and South-North partnership: leading to stable political and economic processes, with a focus on the South-South partnership in the face of climatic, economic and political challenges, and strategies for ensuring balance. The South-North Partnership was also addressed, including potential new instruments for supporting and accompanying political processes in the South-Mediterranean region.

The discussions and debates resulted in a number of recommendations, guidelines and avenues for reflection and action.

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