Tunisia, a magical country 500 km long, contains Carthage and Ancient Rome, Byzantium and Greece, the Spanish Empire and a modern European country. We opened it, thanks to Tarek Alouy, the president of the Tunisian Diaspora Association, who included famous people from Kyiv in the "International Activity" nomination
- Tarek! Why did you decide to get an education in Ukraine?
— I came to Odessa on the advice of my father's friends, who received an excellent education. And in Tunisia, after the Jasmin revolution, which lasted only 14 days and ended with democratic reforms, the President puts education at the forefront.
— What was the reason for the creation of the Tunisian diaspora in Ukraine?
— When I arrived in Ukraine, I encountered difficulties in preparing documents, — says Tarek. - Friends helped me. There was no Tunisian embassy in Ukraine. And I thought that this experience should be passed on to others. And unite my compatriots. And so the idea of creating a Tunisian diaspora in Ukraine appeared.
At first, I studied language courses at Odessa Polytechnic University at the preparatory department. In 2006, he entered the Odessa Medical University. When I got my doctor's degree, my parents told me to go back home. But I decided to enter graduate school, work and continue studying. Especially since my dream came true. When I rode tram No. 5 in Arcadia past Filatov's clinic, I kept looking at the monument. I really wanted to get into this clinic, famous for its professorial school. And now I am writing a dissertation at the Filatov clinic, developing the topic of strabismus, diagnosis and treatment. I studied and heard so much about Academician Filatov. I took the fifth tram to Arkadia and always looked at the monument. And it was a dream to get there. When I finished, I talked to my parents. They wanted me to come back. But I insisted that I must continue studying. He said that I will provide for myself and will work and study. In 2016, we created a diaspora consisting of more than 2500 people in Ukraine, of which 80% are students and about 1000 have permanent residence permits and live between Ukraine and Tunisia, married to Ukrainian citizens.
— What are your goals?
— Our task is to establish cultural and economic ties. We want to open the Embassy of Tunisia in Ukraine. And the Honorary Consulate in Odessa. This will allow to develop tourism and relations between businessmen. Tunisia annually buys $300 million worth of products from Ukraine. And Ukraine is much smaller. Tunisia is a family of couscous, which Ukraine buys in Italy, where the prices are lower. If they give us tax breaks, we will be able to settle this issue. And they will also deliver dates, olive oil and other products.
We are interested in the development of air traffic and the exchange of tourists. In Tunisia, you can see the Sahara desert and Mediterranean resorts, natural wonders - islands, historical sights and ancient tribes.
— What are the most important directions of development in Tunisia today?
— After Jasmine's revolution, which became an example for many countries of how to peacefully change power, many democratic changes took place in Tunisia. The first president of Tunisia studied in Europe, was a diplomat, passed on European knowledge. And he made education free in the country so that the country could develop. Many of our specialists studied in Europe. And when the coronavirus epidemic began, they used all their strength and knowledge to prevent it. Tunisia is the first country to deal with the coronavirus. We collected the experience of all countries. And they closed communication between cities. In order to go to another settlement, it was necessary to obtain permission from the police. Schools, cafes, restaurants were closed. And people realized that you can't risk your life. Meetings were held by telephone. The doctors did a great job. And we saw the results. When education and medicine are at the level of the state, the country will prosper.
— Do Tunisian women receive the same education as men?
— Tunisia is the first country in the Arab world to ban polygamy. And they allowed women to be doctors, drivers, pilots. Tawhida ben Sheikh, a pediatrician-gynecologist, is the first modern Muslim woman in the Maghreb and the Arab world to become a doctor. She was also a pioneer in women's health and family planning. And we want to open a clinic in her honor.
— How are things in the legal field?
— The union for the protection of Tunisian workers stands for the protection of the country's citizens. And it is, in fact, the second state, it protects the working people so that they are not illegally cut without an agreement, they promote the interests of the working people. After all, the symbol of Tunisia is freedom and democracy, justice and decency, which is what the lion, scales and ship say on its coat of arms.
— What projects have already been implemented in Odessa, in Ukraine?
— We organized the celebration of the Independence Day of Tunisia by the ego diaspora in Ukraine at the art square of the "Mozart" hotel. They also performed at the "Morskaya biblioteka Odessa" cabin company. A number of projects are carried out with the International Maritime Association. An illustration contest was initiated with the children's literature section of the Odessa branch of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine. As a result, the book "Magic Tunis" appeared, which was illustrated by the children of Ukraine. We present it on October 29 in Kyiv at a holiday dedicated to Tunisia and Odessa.
Author: Inna Ishchuk
