Who are we?
The Tunisian Observatory of Economy (TOE) is the result of a 2012 initiative undertaken by a number of researchers, analysts and activists concerned about Tunisian public policies, after the onset of the Tunisian revolutionary process. The TOE was originally set out as an International Financial Institutions (IFIs) activities’ watchdog group.
This group was subsequently set up as a network that aims to unravel and highlight the impact, role and significant influence of IFIs on public policy-making in Tunisia. Structural economic reforms have been jointly carried out with the IFIs' technical assistance as consideration for the loans granted as part of the 2011 Deauville Partnership since the 2011 Revolution. Policymakers, civil society and citizens are often overwhelmed by the magnitude of the conditions’ implications; they are powerless against the means implemented to achieve the reforms.
Our Vision
The Tunisian Observatory of Economy seeks to provide guidance to citizens with regard to economic policies and their impact on development through independent, objective, documented and critical information. The singular nature of the procedure stems from the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach to economic policies (historical, geographical, geopolitical, social, legal, etc.). A comprehensive approach is undeniably essential in order to: unveil the roots of the shortcomings of the development model and adequately address them, carry out an analysis of the current situation.
This multidisciplinary and pluralistic approach is excluded from the economic policies’ debate in Tunisia. The Observatory aims to democratize the economic issue and to foster a critical and constructive debate, accessible to a wider audience. The economic issue will no longer be exclusively monopolized by "technocratic" spheres. The Observatory consequently seeks to dispel the idea that economy is an exclusive technocrat or expert task. Accordingly every citizen can understand, act and participate in public policy making at the local or national level. Economic policies have a direct impact on Tunisian generations; they embody a political choice that can be debated, criticized, evaluated and undertaken. It is also a political choice for which the national authorities are accountable to their fellow citizens.
Furthermore, the Observatory is entitled to give its opinion on economic policies by: carrying out analysis reviews, undertaking investigations, developing recommendations and spearheading proposals.
However, we do not intend to achieve this goal by our own. We seek to contribute by: supplying a reference resource through critical and powerful insights, providing information and training opportunities, and generating synergies in order to support key stakeholders and institutions to respond to the development needs and the redistribution of wealth in Tunisia.
Mission
The mission of the Tunisian Observatory of Economy is:
− To analyze and unravel public policies’ economic issues in order to shed light on their strengths and shortcomings through articles and studies.
− To democratize economic policies and issues in order to make them easily understandable and accessible to all citizens through instructive infographics, videos, etc.
− To foster citizen engagement in the economic policies debate through instructive infographics, training workshops for students, and open-ended workshops / seminars run by the research team in order to understand economic events and their implications.
− To nationally and internationally develop partnerships, collaboration networks and positive dynamics through exchange areas and reflection and advocacy workshops on public policies.
− To provide a reference resource of economic data and documents in Tunisia that can be useful for all relevant stakeholders (media, academics, public or private organizations, civil society)
Our Values
Ø Independence
The Observatory is an independent organization; it is independent of any public institution, political party, union, or corporation. We want to uphold our independence; we therefore make sure that our financing does not affect our research. Accordingly, we do not accept funding from stakeholders with a significant economic interest in Tunisia as it can jeopardize our independence. We develop our financial sustainability by expanding our own resources along with donations and grants from partners who fully respect our independence and our values.
Ø Discipline
The Observatory brings tremendous discipline to its work, which is based on extremely credible and reliable referral sources. The Observatory's analysts are autonomous. They adopt scientific and strict methods and perspectives based on critical analysis in order to provide citizens with an opportunity to access evidence-based, accessible and decrypted information.
Ø Civic Commitment
We are convinced that citizens' participation in public affairs is the best means of taking action, altering and influencing public decision-making. We consequently seek to develop, enhance and support citizens' capacity and initiatives and their means of action through our workshops and the dissemination of our work.