National Dialogue Quartet

  • Tunisia
  • Human Rights
  • Nobel Peace Prize

The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet is a coalition of civil society groups that were central in bringing pluralistic democracy and peaceful political compromise to Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution and helping to kick off the “Arab Spring”. The TNDG was organized by Houcine Abbassi, the head of the General Labor Union, and also includes the leaders of the Tunisian trade, law, and human rights groups. In 2015 the TNDG was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in helping to “establish a constitutional system of government guaranteeing fundamental rights for the entire population, irrespective of gender, political conviction or religious belief.”

Tunisia

  • Population
    
11,354,803 (79th)
  • Capital
    Tunis
  • GDP (PPP)
    $11,623 per capita
  • March 20, 1956
  • Total Area
    163,610 km2 (93rd)
  • Demonym
    Tunisian
  • Government
    Unitary semi-presidential republic

Artwork

In post-revolution Tunisia, street art played a major role by reclaiming public spaces formerly controlled by the government. Artists and citizens alike expressed themselves freely for the first time. The leaders of the four groups that comprised the TNDQ are represented as quotation marks in a high-contrast style symbolizing the murals and stencils that were commonly used for the reappropriation of authoritarian-controlled property. In response to the Nobel Peace Prize, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said “this recognition belongs to all those who gave birth to the Arab Spring and are striving to safeguard the sacrifices of so many.”

  • Illustration by
    Johnny Selman