By : Khalid DRIOUCH
“We believe that Morocco is a country for all young people, north … Deep South, east and west. We are all together here today to say that we are all young for one and only one Morocco” with these words, Ismail Hamraoui, president of the Youth Parallel Moroccan Government opened the ceremony.
Faithful to its objectives which revolve around continuous engagement and promotion of youth role, skills and competencies in society; the Moroccan youth Forum organized a three-day Training workshop on December 7th, 8th, 9th, 2013 at Dar Attalib, Agdal RABAT in collaboration with the Moroccan Youth Voice , Anna Lindh Foundation, British council, European Union and others.
“We believe that engaging youth in social life aspects would lead to a better understanding. For this reason, we set up the Moroccan Youth Forum to work hard towards a better change that involves all Moroccan youth in a well-organized and influential-working together core. Our responsibility is shared no matter what our beliefs, origins, thoughts are. We all have one goal: to encourage youth to take part actively in a better sustainable development towards a better future for our country and the world as well” Abella Ibourk Project Manager of the Moroccan Youth Forum board said.
The event was held as a platform for 30 participants from 15 Moroccan cities to meet, discuss and share inspiring experiences as well as learn new techniques and practical strategies that can be applied within their environment to help voices of young Moroccans to be heard.
The uniqueness of this initiative is that it offers a new opportunity wherein Moroccan youth can feel free to express their opinions, attitudes, agreement and disagreement on any issue that concerns them on the social, economic and political environment around them- be it national or international- without any constraint and where freedom of expression is guaranteed.
The idea is to encourage Moroccan youth to take part in professional debates wherein they speak in public, standing for or against a cause that makes their top story event. The debate allows them to express their views and arguments in front of a public so as to convince the counterpart as well as the audience attending of their standing point, all in a friendly atmosphere.
“Being part of the National program promoting youth skills in Debate and Advocacy makes us committed participants to teach and to share what we've learnt with our cities’ youth so that we can be FJM's ambassadors for change in our own regions for a better future of our country” Khaoula Erraoui, a University Student and Freelance fashion designer participant from Agadir said.
The participants were very satisfied with the rich workshops’ and presentations’ content conducted by Mr. Brahim Benrais office director of the MYF. Most of them were so excited and enthusiastic to get a debate started as soon as they get back to their city. “We are ready to share what we have learnt and put in practice the activities and skills we have acquired coz we know that young people in our region need this kind of events and would enjoy it the same way we did”. Annas Eljaziz, a sports teacher participant from Boumalen Dades said.
The training days closed with a warm support from the Allchaabab Parallel Moroccan Government members in the presence of Mr. Ismail Elhamraoui who is the prime minister of the youth Government. Farouk Zine , health minister in the youth Government as well as others who insisted on attending such an event during the three days long to personally encourage all youngsters to believe in what they want and go for it while working together for a better future for all Moroccans.
Khalid DRIOUCH
- Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
- Member of MATE and MoRCE-NET
- Facilitator of the Health Club on H.I.V and STIs as well as the English Resource Center of BDHS
- Trainer on the Other Leader Program
BOUMALEN DADES HIGH SCHOOL
Tinghir – Morocco
