International IDEA congratulates the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Their work has been vital to the democratic transition in Tunisia and should stand as a source of inspiration to others. Their great achievement has been to allow inclusion and participation to win ground over political polarization and violence.
In its motivation the Norwegian Nobel Committee said the quartet, a cooperation between unions, business leaders, lawyers and rights activists, received the prize "for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011".
This prize demonstrates that reform and democratic transition is possible through building consensus between political stakeholders and civil society organizations. IDEA is proud to have been a partner throughout the democratic transition in Tunisia, both for electoral and constitutional processes and the political empowerment of women.
The Tunisian exception in the region that saw the Arab Spring uprisings turn to violence is remarkable. IDEA continues to stand on the side of the Tunisian people who, in their call for democracy and accountability have shown great courage and determination.
