NEWSLETTER: MAY 2016

📬 CTDC Newsletter — May 2016

Welcome to the May 2016 edition of our newsletter.
This issue features key project announcements, regional advocacy initiatives, and highlights from recent events.
CTDC remains committed to building inclusive, democratic, and rights-based frameworks for sexual and gender minorities across the MENA region.

🌍 Call for Participants: LGBTQ Regional Advocacy Action Plan (RAP)
We are excited to announce the launch of CTDC’s new Gender and Sexuality Program in the MENA region.
Our first initiative under this program, the LGBTQ Regional Advocacy Action Plan (RAP), is funded by the Swedish Institute (SIDA) and developed in collaboration with Cecilia Karlstedt Consulting.
Two strategic workshops will bring together LGBTQ rights activists to co-develop a shared regional advocacy framework:
• Workshop 1: 17–21 November 2016, Turkey
• Workshop 2: 16–20 November 2017, Turkey
We are currently accepting statements of interest from activists and organisations based in:
Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Syria.
⚠️ Participation is limited to 20 individuals.
📩 Deadline: 1 August 2016
📧 Submit to: [email protected]
We hope this pilot effort will serve as a foundation for a broader, region-wide LGBTQ advocacy program.

🏳️‍🌈 New Project: Defending the Rights of LGBT People in Tunisia
CTDC is proud to announce the launch of our latest project:
“Defending the Rights of LGBT People in Tunisia”, funded by the Magna Carta Human Rights and Democracy Fund.
In partnership with local organisations, this initiative aims to:
✅ Expand democratic space for Tunisia’s LGBT communities
✅ Improve institutional protections against discrimination
✅ Advocate for the reform or repeal of discriminatory laws
Running through the end of 2017, this project promotes equality, legal protection, and visibility for marginalised voices in Tunisia.

🗣 Dr. Nour Abu-Assab Speaks at MEFD Workshop
On 23 May 2016, CTDC Co-Director Dr. Nour Abu-Assab took part in the Middle East Forum for Development (MEFD) workshop on Media and Civil Society.
In her presentation, Dr. Abu-Assab offered a critical analysis of:
• The limitations of social media in achieving long-term advocacy goals
• The ways digital platforms can perpetuate marginalisation — especially of minorities
• The ongoing failure of international institutions, particularly the United Nations, to adequately address regional human rights violations
“One has to look to who is funding the United Nations in order to understand such phenomena.”
— Dr. Nour Abu-Assab
🌐 Learn more on MEFD’s website

Thank you for reading and for your continued support.
For questions, collaborations, or submissions, please contact us at 📧 [email protected].
Stay connected,
The CTDC Team