Global Leaders Experience: Taa Marbouta

Are you ready to explore two critical global challenges, climate change and pollution, in Tunisia this spring? The Global Leaders Experience will be once again partnering with Taa Marbouta to deliver our collaborative programme, this time focused on sustainability, running from the 13th- 24th April 2025! 

This programme will offer you the opportunity to interact with academics, activists, policymakers, migrants, and others in trying to propose innovative and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis, whether through policy papers or other initiatives.    

About the Programme  

Centred on the theme of sustainability, this Global Leaders Experience provides a unique insight into sustainability and the climate crisis guided by those working in communities and authorities in Tunisia. Tunisia provides an exceptional setting to study sustainability, addressing critical challenges in resource management and environmental resilience. 

During your time in Tunisia you can expect to engage in two main focuses:

• Analysing the present state of climate change and pollution in the Mediterranean region and the broader global framework
• The exposure to public sector policies and civil society initiatives designed to mitigate the environmental impact on Tunisian communities. This includes discussions on governmental regulations, grassroots activism, and sustainable development efforts.

The programme seeks to equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to critically assess environmental challenges and explore viable solutions through policy and community- driven action.

The programme will be running from the 13th-24th of April, the 13th and the 24th being travel days from and to the UK.   

During your time in Tunisia you can expect to take part in multiple activities. For more details please see the indicative activities list below, please note that these may change and this is not the final trip schedule.

Indicative activities:

• Opening Lecture by environmental activist Mr. Adel Azouni
• Meeting Tunisian students from the Environmental Rights MA programme, University of Tunis El Manar
• Lecture and discussion on media coverage of environmental issues by either Inkyfada's Ariana Poletti or Nawaat's Melek Zaghdoudi
• Meeting a representative of COP Youth Negotiators, Mr. Tarek Ezzine to talk about COP experience
• Trip to Essijoumi marchlands guided by Les Amis Des Oiseaux
• Trip to Dar El Hout research project in Carthage Port
• Trip to Ghar el Melh wetlands in Bizerte for smart irrigation project
• Trip to Gabes, Tunisia to visit one of the most polluted areas in Tunisia, guided by Stop Pollution Organisation
• Trip to Tozeur to visit the solar panel farm
• Lecture by Bluetn/ TunSea, a marine life research and advocacy organisation

The full itinerary will be circulated to participants prior to the programme.

 

Eligibility Criteria   

• You will be enrolled as an undergraduate student at the time of the programme    
• Students must meet one or more of the Widening Participation Criteria.

• You can travel to and from the UK between the 13th and 24th April 2025 

• Not currently on a placement year or study abroad  

• Have an up-to-date passport with more than 6 months validity from date of return   

• Have not exceeded the 90 out of 180 days rule for travel in Europe by the date of the programme. If you are unsure of this please use this calculator.  

 

Managing Expectations  

• The global travel sector remains impacted by well-publicised strikes, cancellation and disruption.   

• Please be ready to follow any national or local guidance in relation to travel, such as passport validity for Tunisia. 

• You are not currently required to provide proof of Covid-19 Vaccination to enter Tunisia, however, please keep this in mind in case of any changes in the lead up to departure.   

• Students are expected to travel to and from the UK as part of a group for the trip FAQs   

Cost  

The University of Exeter will be booking return travel from the UK departure point and accommodation on your behalf; the cost of which will be covered by the University.  

There will be a travel bursary available to those who meet the Widening Participation criteria. You will be able to claim travel costs to and from the UK departure point (for example from campus to an airport or train station) if student discounts are used; receipts must be provided.   

Claims can be made up to a maximum of £100. This limit is for the whole journey, i.e. not £100 each way and claims above the limit will be rejected. Please note that the travel bursary cannot be used for additional accommodation unless in exceptional circumstances and must be checked and approved with global-leaders@exeter.ac.uk first.   

Disclaimer:

Please be aware that in Tunisia, LGBTQ+ communities face criminalisation and we would like you to be informed about this before making a decision about whether to apply to this programme. Below are some helpful links to increase your awareness of travel and the current situation in-country:  

• Government travel guide
• ILGA database, Tunisia

In-country rights groups also offer the latest and most up-to-date information on the situation in the country prior to travel, including safety advice:  

• Shams (Website | Facebook)
• Mawjoudin (Website | Instagram)

If these concerns prevent you from applying for this programme, please be aware that we have other Global Leaders Experiences taking place from April- September which you are welcome to apply to as an alternative, press here to view our other programmes.

 

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss this further with the team, please email global-leaders@exeter.ac.uk