From July 13 to 24, CILC had the pleasure of welcoming 75 motivated professionals from nine countries across the MENA region, taking part in three Shiraka Training Programmes: Administration of Justice, Legislation, and Communicating with the Public.
The Shiraka programme aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the Netherlands and the MENA region while enhancing participants’ professional development and empowering them to act as change agents in their home countries.
Farah Massoud, Judge at the Commercial Court of Beirut in Lebanon beautifully summarized the spirit of the programme: “The rule of law begins with an independent judiciary, and flourishes when experiences converge and are exchanged”.
Over two inspiring weeks in July, the Shiraka Training Programmes brought together professionals from across the MENA region for an engaging learning experience that combined interactive sessions, study visits, and peer-to-peer exchange.
From 13–17 July, participants in the Administration of Justice training explored topics such as judicial ethics and the Dutch probation system through interactive sessions led by experts. They also visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) and The Hague District Court, while taking the first steps in their change journey by developing their Back Home Action Plans.
From 20–24 July, the Legislation and Communicating with the Public programmes took place simultaneously, each offering participants a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and exchange experiences.
Participants in the Legislation programme explored Dutch legislative drafting practices, the Dutch Policy Compass, and the role of the Legislative Bureau. The programme also included study visits to the ICC and the Council of State, providing valuable insights into the Dutch legal and institutional landscape.
Meanwhile, participants inCommunicating with the Public stepped behind the scenes of Dutch media and public communication. They visited Nieuwsuur and travelled to Hilversum for a session at the Beeld & Geluid Museum, featuring Het Jeugdjournaal. Interactive workshops covered topics ranging from media training to the Dutch legislative system, encouraging lively discussions and enthusiastic participation throughout the week.
One of the defining strengths of these two weeks was the high level of engagement among participants. Through open discussions, shared experiences, and peer-to-peer learning, they explored common challenges from different perspectives and built lasting professional connections across the region.
As Hedia Foudhaili, Responsible for Digital Information Technology and Communication at the General Directorate of Water Resources in Tunisia, reflected: “We gained new knowledge, exchanged experiences with wonderful participants, and successfully achieved the objectives we had set.”
What’s next? The journey continues in the last quarter of 2026, when participants will reconvene in Tunis to complete the second part of the programme, present their Back Home Action Plans, and continue learning from one another.
This project is funded by Shiraka, a programme commissioned by the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, and implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). With the Shiraka programme, the Netherlands partners with government organisations in the MENA region to support improved public service delivery, foster peer-to-peer learning, and strengthen bilateral relations.
