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AHLN Organizing Regional Conference on Freedom in Amman: Empowering Civil Society in MENA Region

Amman, May 21, 2024 –  Under the esteemed patronage of Dr. Khalil Al-Abdallat, Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Jordanian Prime Ministry, the Liberal Freedom Network (AHLN) is set to organize its first regional conference on freedom, titled “Empowering the MENA Region’s Civil Society: Principles and Tools of Freedom”  in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom- MENA, VVD, and SILC, will take place in Amman on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

This significant gathering aims to address and enhance the principles of freedom across the MENA region by fostering dialogue among key stakeholders, including experts, activists, decision-makers, members of parliaments, youth, journalists, and civil society members.

The Liberal Freedom Network (AHLN)

The Al Hurriya Liberal Network (AHLN) is a network of liberal civil society organizations including political parties, NGOs, think tanks, and active individuals in the Middle East and North African region (MENA), striving to realize and live liberal values and to serve as a democratically structured network. Through our collective experiences, we seek to promote the universal values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and economic prosperity in a free economy. As believers and actors of liberal values in the MENA region, we strive to ensure that religious, gender, and minority rights are respected in an open and modern state.

Regional Challenges and Progress

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has long been associated with challenges and restrictions to basic freedoms. Women, youth, and minorities groups have faced various obstacles in the pursuit of their fundamental rights related to liberty from freedom of speech and expression to freedom of assembly and association. However, there have been significant strides in recent years towards advancing freedoms in the region, and it is crucial to continue to promote and protect these essential rights. Despite some progress in recent years, many individuals and communities continue to face restrictions and violations of their fundamental freedoms.

As 2024 will witness an unprecedented surge in election activity, a record number of 4.2 billion people – about half of the world's adult population – will have the chance to vote. At least 64 countries, alongside the European Union, are scheduled to conduct national elections, collectively representing approximately 49% of the global population. The outcomes of these elections are poised to have significant ramifications for many nations, shaping their future for years ahead.

In this timely year, The Al Hurriya Liberal Network (AHLN) assumes its political responsibility to actively dive into the waves of this democratic exercise to meet the first objective of AHLN which is to provide a liberal space where liberal activists can freely and actively debate important topics and in doing so foster values based on personal liberty, personal responsibility, social justice, the rule of law, democracy, and free market economy.

AHLN’s Political Engagement

In this critical year, AHLN is actively engaging in the democratic processes unfolding worldwide. The network aims to provide a platform for liberal activists to discuss vital topics, promoting values centered on personal liberty, personal responsibility, social justice, rule of law, democracy, and a free market economy.

Event Details

The event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive working groups. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts and activists policymakers, academics, journalists, and members of civil society organizations, share their experiences, and contribute to the dialogue on freedoms in the MENA region.

The AHLN's regional conference on freedom signifies a crucial step towards empowering civil society in the MENA region. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the event aims to pave the way for a more open and free society. As the MENA region continues to navigate its complex landscape of challenges and opportunities, the insights and strategies developed during this conference will be instrumental in advancing the principles of freedom and liberal values.