Moroccan Youth Forum in Essaouira Focuses on Innovation and Leadership

The 9th edition of the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Forum was held in Essaouira, Morocco, over the weekend of the 51st anniversary of the Green March. The event brought together 150 young leaders from across the Mediterranean region for three days of learning, exchange, and training on leadership. The forum's theme was "Innovation in Service to Euro-Mediterranean Youth."

The forum was founded by Ahmed Ghayet, who was inspired to create the event after a lunch meeting at the French ambassador's residence in Rabat nine years ago. Ghayet wanted to bring together young Moroccans from the kingdom and young Moroccans from France. The event has since evolved into a Euro-Mediterranean forum, which the French embassy has continued to support and develop.

The forum aims to train leaders rather than create "figurants," and to mix young people from the kingdom and young people of Moroccan origin living in France. Ghayet gave a group of young people he knows for their motivation, talent, and volunteer work the opportunity to participate in the event. He also led a working session with all the young people, focusing on the role they can play in promoting civic engagement.

The event featured several notable speakers, including André Azoulay, advisor to King Mohammed VI, Philippe Lalliot, French ambassador to Morocco, and Nadia Haï, ambassador for the Mediterranean. The forum also provided a platform for young people to meet and learn from experienced actors in civil society, such as Rachid Yazami, Mahdi Naim, and Fady Ait Azza.

One of the key goals of the forum is to create "heroes of everyday life" rather than just "window dressing" leaders who only appear in media operations. Ghayet emphasized the importance of sharing and teaching civic engagement, and encouraging young people to use their mastery of social media to inspire others.

The event was made possible through the collaboration of several organizations, including the French embassy and the team of Terence Serbin, cooperation officer and head of the governance department. The forum's success is also attributed to the support of local organizers, such as Othmane Chic and Souiri, who helped make the event a reality.

The 9th edition of the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Forum has come to a close, but the impact of the event is expected to be felt for a long time. The forum has provided a platform for young leaders to connect, learn, and grow, and has inspired a new generation of leaders to become involved in civic engagement and community development.

Key points

• The forum's focus on innovation and leadership aims to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to become effective leaders in their communities.