Latest news with #Franco-Moroccan
Ya Biladi
7 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan women of the diaspora walk from Fès to Laayoune to celebrate history
Some journeys can't be measured in miles or kilometers—they're journeys of the soul. That's the kind of journey Khadija Gamraoui is leading. Fifty years after the Green March, this passionate official who lives between France and Morocco wants to «bring the spirit» of that historic moment back to life—this time through women from both the diaspora and the Kingdom. «When I was a kid, my mom used to say I was born the year of the Green March. That story shaped me. Now, it's time to tell it in a new way», she shared with Yabiladi. For her 50th birthday, instead of throwing a party, Khadija chose to walk the streets of Fez's medina with 50 women. It was a powerful, symbolic step, backed by the governor of Fez and other local leaders, where meaning took priority over spectacle. «We walked through Moulay Idriss, Sidi Harazem, Moulay Yacoub... places that hold deep meaning for Moroccans everywhere», she recalls. The group included activists, elected officials, athletes, mothers, and young women like a 20-year-old Franco-Moroccan boxer from Paris, proudly representing the initiative during a race in Fez. This march isn't just a tribute. It's a political statement, a cultural act, and a message for the next generation. «I wanted to pass this story on to my daughter and her peers. Many of them didn't grow up with this history, so it was important to create a space to share it», Khadija explains. Each leg of the march, headed toward Laayoune and beyond into other African countries, will include opportunities to connect: talks, workshops, shared memories, and local meetups. Passing on Patriotism At the heart of the project are women, those who for decades have bridged the gap between Morocco and its diaspora, giving voice through associations, politics, and sports. Khadija is bringing together this inspiring network and trusted partners, from the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) to the organizers of the Sahraouiya race, which she recently joined in Dakhla. «That women's race moved me deeply. It gave me the push I needed to start this march across Morocco». The «March of the Women of the Diaspora» also aims to reconnect Moroccans around the world with the realities back home, especially in the southern provinces. Khadija highlights stops planned for places like Al Haouz, hit hard by the 2023 earthquake. «The diaspora stepped up to help. Now they can come back in person, with a spirit of gratitude and ongoing support». This is just the beginning. More women will join along the way, consuls, community leaders, and young people searching for purpose. Khadija plans to collect mementos at each stop and involve young Franco-Moroccans in writing workshops that will lead to an exhibition, keeping the story alive and growing.
Ya Biladi
18-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco inaugurates first Global Alumni House, strengthening French-Moroccan academic ties
The inauguration of the Alumni House in Morocco marks a global first, coinciding with the official launch of the third edition of the World Alumni Days, organized by Campus France Maroc across Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fès, and Tangier. In the context of renewed diplomatic momentum between Rabat and Paris, this initiative symbolizes a timely and multifaceted strengthening of academic and university ties. At the inauguration held on Friday, May 16 in Casablanca, the French ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, told Yabiladi that the primary goal of the initiative is to give visibility to the enduring human bonds between the two countries through a space designed to become a genuine intergenerational hub. «Moroccan alumni of French higher education form the largest foreign academic community linked to France, with over 45,000 students currently enrolled», he said. «If we include all who have attended French universities since independence, we're talking about hundreds of thousands». The Alumni House is now intended to unify the efforts of numerous existing associations, particularly to support those interested in studying in France. For Lecourtier, «It's a kind of matrix for Franco-Moroccan relations in higher education—one with the potential to grow and multiply». Amine Dabchy, president of Sciences Po Alumni Morocco, described the House as «an open, dynamic, future-focused community that brings together multiple generations in a space of rich diversity». He noted that the presence of prominent figures at the event served as both «a tribute to this community and a call to forge more connections to continue inspiring future generations». Dabchy also praised the vital role played by Moroccan alumni associations from top French institutions, across fields such as civil engineering, business, management, law, science, and economics. Promoting Academic Mobility Between Morocco and France In his speech, Lecourtier also emphasized the importance of ensuring that academic mobility flows both ways between France and Morocco. «I think this House should act like an airport, a launchpad for young people and alumni to continue flying to France—whether for work, study, or personal reasons—to maintain that connection», he said. «It should feel natural for people who've followed this path to move between the two countries without excessive barriers», he added. He recalled that last year's second edition of Alumni Day was an opportunity to announce «a simplified visa process for alumni». «Anyone who has studied in France, or on French campuses in Morocco, can now easily obtain a short-stay circulation visa. The bond they have with France, sustained here in this House, should allow them to come and go as easily as members of the same family». Christophe Lecourtier, French ambassador to Morocco Gérald Brun, head of higher education, research, and student mobility at the French Institute of Morocco and attaché for scientific and university cooperation at the French Embassy, told Yabiladi that while Moroccan nationals make up the largest community of international students in France, the goal is to encourage reciprocal mobility. «We also want to make Morocco an attractive destination for French students, who can complete part of their studies here, especially through double degrees, joint programs, or relocated courses offered by French institutions in Morocco», Brun explained. «This is a policy strongly supported by the diplomatic mission». Fostering Human Development Through Research and Training This collaborative academic framework also includes research-oriented university training between the two countries. According to Brun, this area of cooperation has gained momentum. «Joint work on doctoral training is particularly important for Morocco, as many current professors and researchers are approaching retirement. A new generation must be trained», he said. «And this is equally crucial for France, where interest in pursuing doctorates has declined». He noted that the French research system heavily relies on international doctoral candidates—and Morocco currently ranks fourth among countries sending doctoral students to France, following China, Lebanon, and Italy. In his speech, Ambassador Lecourtier also cited King Mohammed VI's focus on human development as a key pillar of Franco-Moroccan cooperation. He highlighted the pivotal role that Moroccan alumni of French institutions play in this vision. «Framework agreements may pave the way for major projects, but what matters most are the people—those who not only have the skills but also the desire to ensure that these projects become reality and don't remain empty promises. Both President Macron and His Majesty the King understand that the strength of the bilateral relationship lies in those individuals», said Lecourtier. For him, «alumni are at the heart of it all because they have a blended experience. They've lived here and there, they return, they leave again—and that's the future. They are the ideal bridge for building a shared tomorrow».
Morocco World
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Princess Lalla Hasnaa Chairs First Meeting of Rabat Royal Theater Foundation
Doha – Princess Lalla Hasnaa, president of the Rabat Royal Theater Foundation, chaired the first session of the Foundation's Board of Directors on Thursday. The meeting took place at the Royal Theater in Rabat. French First Lady Brigitte Macron accompanied the Princess at this important event. The Royal Theater represents King Mohammed VI's vision for arts and culture. The Board of Directors will establish and enhance a strategic framework for this institution, following Royal directives. The Board brings together prominent figures from various backgrounds. It includes Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and Brigitte Macron, wife of the French President Emmanuel Macron. Other members are Othman Benjelloun, Michael Zaoui, Makhtar Diop, and Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo. The Board also includes Gad Elmaleh, Michel Canesi, Hélène Mercier-Arnault, Farid Bensaïd, and Mohamed Yacoubi. This diverse Board combines legitimacy, expertise, and passion. Sheikha Al Mayassa brings bold perspectives on patronage and museography. Meanwhile, Brigitte Macron's presence further strengthens cultural ties between France and Morocco. Gad Elmaleh, a Franco-Moroccan comedian with global influence, represents theater as a universal art form. Financial figures Othman Benjelloun and Michael Zaoui bring strategic rigor and enlightened philanthropy. Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC (World Bank Group), ensures inclusive and sustainable cultural policies. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, a Gulf cultural pioneer and founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, offers a visionary perspective on the Arab art scene. Concert pianist and committed patron Hélène Mercier-Arnault combines musical excellence with humanistic sensitivity. Cultural entrepreneur Farid Bensaïd, diplomat Mohamed Yacoubi, and physician-writer Michel Canesi complete this influential circle. Read also: Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron Inaugurate New Royal Theater in Rabat Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron inaugurated the Royal Theater on October 29, 2024. The project was initiated under King Mohammed VI's instructions. The theater is located in the Bouregreg Valley, near Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum. This cultural landmark was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. Construction began in October 2014 as part of a larger development plan King Mohammed VI launched in January 2006. The initial investment announced for this project was MAD 1.677 billion ($167.7 million). The theater spans 7.1 hectares with 25,400 square meters of built area. It features an auditorium with capacity for over 1,800 spectators, known for its unique geometric design that enhances acoustics. The venue is suitable for theater, dance, ballet, opera, musicals, and symphonic concerts. The facility also includes a second performance hall with 250 seats for various cultural events. Its exterior houses an amphitheater that can accommodate 7,000 people for festivals and large-scale events. The Royal Theater aims to boost Morocco's cultural landscape and elevate the country's cultural presence on the world stage. It represents Rabat's cultural and artistic renewal while promoting a modern approach to Moroccan art. Tags: Princess Lalla HasnaaRabat Royal Theater
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's Migrants Are Coming Home
At 5 a.m., Joulya Azmi zipped her suitcase shut for the last time in Bordeaux, France. The Franco-Moroccan nurse had spent nine years in France – slogging through night shifts, dodging microaggressions, and saving every spare euro. Her decision to leave wasn't made in a fit of nostalgia. 'I am not running away,' she says. 'I am running towards something.' What was once a land of departure is now, improbably, a land of return. Remittances from Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) surged to MAD 117.7 billion ($11.8 billion USD) in 2023 – nearly a tenth of the country's GDP. But the figures tell only half the story. Behind them is a quiet revolution: professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs are ditching Europe's frigid welcome and betting on Morocco's warmer future. Azmi, 29, is among a swelling cohort of returnees driven not by nostalgia, but by hard-headed pragmatism. 'I left Morocco for economic reasons,' she says. 'But today, I'm thinking of returning for the same reasons.' Source: World Bank Group Money in, but nothing out Remittances flow into Africa by the billions, yet much of that money vanishes into daily consumption. Morocco, despite its ballooning inflows, remains an underperformer when it comes to turning diaspora cash into local growth. The bulk – some 60% – was spent on food, schooling and bills. Another 30% went into bank accounts or under mattresses, doing little to stimulate enterprise. The result: remittances soothe family life, but seldom stir the economy. Compare that with Nigeria and Kenya, where diaspora money is more likely to beget growth. An estimated 45% of remittances to Nigeria, and 35% to Kenya, are reinvested into productive ventures. That includes land, property, farming and retail. In Nigeria, the so-called 'remittance house' has become a fixture in many villages – a migrant's long-distance contribution to the homeland's bricks and mortar. Part of the discrepancy lies in how money is used and trusted. Nigerian and Kenyan recipients often funnel funds directly into family businesses. Moroccan households, by contrast, prefer to save or spend. The culprit, as ever, is bureaucracy. Schemes like MDM Invest, designed to lure diaspora dirhams into productive ventures, have languished. By mid-2022, a paltry 48 projects had trickled through the pipeline. Investment channels remain opaque, clunky, and off-putting. For many would-be investors, Morocco still feels easier to wire money into than to build something within. A new breed of investors Despite these hurdles, some forge ahead. Mohamed Benzakour, a 32-year-old IT consultant, exemplifies this entrepreneurial spirit. After a solitary and restrictive lockdown in Paris, he returned to Morocco three years ago. 'During the pandemic, I was trapped in a shoebox apartment, isolated from my family,' he recalls. 'Coming back to Morocco was a chance to start afresh.' Today, Benzakour is building his future in Morocco, running a web development agency that employs a local Moroccan team. 'In Morocco, there's an infectious sense of possibility,' he says. 'People believe in you here, and that's rare in the West.' He also believes that Morocco has uncharted potential and an environment where his entrepreneurial dreams can finally take flight. Similarly, Omar Berrada, 40, spent over two decades in the Netherlands, is now preparing to open a restaurant in Morocco. 'The country I left behind twenty years ago has transformed,' he says. 'Now, it's about thriving, not just surviving.' These returnees are not merely seeking to invest in their futures but also to contribute to the economy of the Kingdom. Source: Office des Changes Reconnecting with identity Yet for many, the return is less about profit than about provenance. Years spent navigating Europe's froideur have eroded more than bank balances – they've frayed a sense of self. Coming home is, for some, an act of cultural restoration. Myriam Laaboudi, whose family returned from Belgium five years ago, describes her return as a 'homecoming.' 'In Europe, we were constantly judged for who we were,' she says. 'But in Morocco, people are warm, accepting. It's a place where I can finally breathe.' For many, Morocco represents a place to live – and to belong. This sense of cultural and emotional reconnection is a profound motivator for many in the diaspora who see this return as more than just an economic move – but also a deeply personal one. What's holding Morocco back? But enthusiasm alone won't plug the institutional leaks. Morocco's bureaucracy remains a buzzkill. Fragmented incentives, Byzantine paperwork, and lukewarm support continue to stifle diaspora investment. To avoid squandering this wave of returning talent and capital, Morocco needs more than slogans. It needs policy clarity, simplified procedures, and a shift in mindset. So unless Morocco fixes the pipes, the flow of capital – and talent – may soon dry up again. Tags: DiasporaInvestmentsMoroccoremittances
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Inaugurates New Consulate Building in Montpellier
Doha – Morocco inaugurated its new consulate building in Montpellier on Monday. The ceremony took place in the presence of Morocco's Ambassador to France Samira Sitail, Montpellier Mayor Michaël Delafosse, and Hérault Prefect François-Xavier Lauch. The new facility spans 850 square meters across three floors. It includes twenty offices, two meeting rooms, archive spaces, reception areas, and parking facilities accessible to people with reduced mobility. The building was acquired in November 2024 and has since gone through major renovations. The consulate serves approximately 200,000 Moroccan citizens residing in six southern French departments. These include Hérault, Gard, Ardèche, Aveyron, Pyrénées-Orientales, and Lozère. About 160 people visit the consulate daily. 'This building is a modern proximity tool, designed to welcome our citizens with dignity and strengthen human, cultural, and economic ties with France, in accordance with Royal Guidelines,' said Ambassador Sitail during the ceremony. The new premises feature Moroccan architectural elements on the façade. The interior decoration reflects Morocco's cultural identity, creating a functional, yet warm environment. Consul General Soumia Bouhamidi described the building as embodying 'the soul of Morocco.' She called it 'a bridge between shores, a hand extended to all those who carry love for our Morocco in their hearts.' The inauguration comes just two weeks after Montpellier Mayor Delafosse's official visit to Morocco. During his trip, he met with Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and Investment Minister Mohamed Zidane. He also led a delegation to Dakhla on April 26 to explore business opportunities in the southern region. In Dakhla, Delafosse and his team learned about major development projects and discussed a forthcoming cooperation agreement focusing on water sports, cultural exchange, and sustainable energy projects. The delegation toured the construction site of Dakhla Atlantic Port and the future site of MGH Energie, a company specializing in green hydrogen. At the inauguration ceremony, the mayor expressed his appreciation for Morocco's remarkable development dynamics and structural projects. The mayor said that the North African country is positioning itself as a 'key player' in strategic fields like renewable energies and green hydrogen, which are 'sources of inspiration' for Montpellier's public policies. The consulate's relocation from Figuerolles to Parc 2000 in La Paillade represents a 'qualitative leap' in services. 'The previous conditions were no longer favorable. We are raising the level of reception and services,' Ambassador Sitail noted. State representative Lauch also celebrated the Franco-Moroccan friendship, which 'lives, renews itself, and is built on constant exchanges and shared trust between our institutions.' He described the new consular building as 'a living bridge between two shores.' The Moroccan consulate in Montpellier is one of 17 Moroccan consular representations in France. It employs about 30 staff, including diplomats and local employees. The consulate is now located at 265 rue Maurice Béjart in Parc 2000 and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The ceremony concluded with a reception featuring Moroccan flavors and traditional music. The event attracted over 200 guests, including CCI President André Deljarry, Sète Port President Philippe Malagola, and former Port President Jean-Claude Gayssot. This inauguration takes place amid improving relations between France and Morocco, particularly after France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara. 'We call each other to develop projects. It's a stimulating relationship, a growing relationship,' added Lauch. According to local officials, Montpellier hosts approximately 4,000 Moroccan students out of the 28,000 Moroccan citizens in Hérault. Outside Paris, Montpellier is the top destination for Moroccan students in France. Read also: Western Sahara: France's AFD to Invest €150 Million in Morocco's Southern Provinces Tags: MontpellierMoroccan consulateMorocco France Relations
