UniDem Med (University for Democracy for the Southern Mediterranean) was a regional project that aimed to support the reform of public administration in the Southern Mediterranean, based on the respect of the fundamental principles of the rule of law and democracy. The project brought together experts and senior officials from Europe and the Southern Mediterranean (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine* and Tunisia) to share experiences and build closer ties between authorities in the region and beyond.

Objectives of the UniDem Med project:

• to contribute to an ever more efficient administration and good governance in the respect of human rights, in the enforcement of law and institution building;
• to bring together senior civil servants from the southern Mediterranean to exchange experiences and strengthen ties between public administrations in the region;
• to collect, share and disseminate the experiences and the best democratic practices of the two sides of the Mediterranean in a perspective of mutual enrichment on issues of common interest.

Initiated by the Venice Commission in close cooperation with the Ministry of Civil Service Reform and Modernisation of the Administration of the Kingdom of Morocco, UniDem Med contributed to the development of an ever more efficient administration and the strengthening of good governance in the Southern Mediterranean.

The UniDem Med project was supported by successive phases of the South Programme which aims at supporting democratic reforms in the Southern Mediterranean region (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine* and Tunisia). Some member States of the Council of Europe also contributed to the organisation of the seminars through voluntary contributions.

Useful links:

• UniDem Med project information brochure  (English and Arabic)
• Link to the list of UniDem Med seminars
• Link to the list of UniDem Med coordination meetings

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* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of Council of Europe and European Union member States on this issue.