The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2015, will visit Montréal for the first time and speak as part of the Board of Trade's Bell International Leaders series

MONTRÉAL, April 12, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is pleased to welcome for the first time in Montréal the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, made up of the Secretary General of the Tunisian General Labour Union, Houcine Abassi, the President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), Ouided Bouchamaoui, the President of the Tunisian Order of Lawyers, Mohamed Fadhel Mahfoudh, and the President of the Tunisian Human Rights League, Abdessatar Ben Moussa.

Speaking as part of our Bell International Leaders series on May 16 at the Centre Pierre-Péladeau's Salle Pierre-Mercure, the Quartet will discuss its decisive role in building a pluralist democracy following the Arab Spring revolution of 2011 in Tunisia.

"The National Dialogue Quartet's story serves as an example of determination, will and unity," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. "While many countries around the world are plunged into crisis with disastrous consequences, Tunisia is a beacon that can help societies advance toward an open, tolerant, democratic system. These four leaders waged an extraordinary battle, with the eyes of the world glued to the political situation in the country and the region. What they accomplished shows that in times of crisis, civil society can and must intervene to reduce tensions in spite of different political convictions. But above all, the Quartet teaches us that fundamental rights of civil societies are not political, gender-based or belief-based."

"We are honoured that the Quartet chose our forum to kick off a cross-Canada speaking tour," Michel Leblanc said. "The Board of Trade believes that it is the duty of the city's business community to respond to the Quartet's call and see Tunisia as a centre for collaboration and investment to serve this region of the world. We are confident that this commitment by the business community will help establish an open, tolerant Tunisian society based on the rule of law. Ultimately, the entire region will benefit from the successful example of the Arab Spring."

For the biographies of Quartet members, click here.

This Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal event is made possible through the support of Bell, in partnership with evenko and with the cooperation of CJAD 800., La Presse+, the Montreal Gazette and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.

The Bell International Leaders series receives inspiring, internationally recognized personalities from every field whose vision and achievements have changed the world. In addition to the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, the Board of Trade has hosted famous scientist and author David Suzuki, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, President Nicolas Sarkozy, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and television host Larry King.

To more information about the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet's conference or to attend, please visit the Board of Trade's website.

About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal's business community and to promote the city's prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration, and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to businesses of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.

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SOURCE Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Source: Guillaume Bérubé, Advisor, Media Relations, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, Phone: [phone], extension 4042, [email protected]