Latest news with #Istiqlal
Morocco World
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Youth Centers in Morocco Receive Fresh Impetus Through 7,000 New Partnerships
Rabat – Morocco's Ministry of Youth has signed 7,000 partnership agreements with youth-focused associations and clubs in a push to reinvigorate youth centers across the country. The initiative falls under the 2024-2025 national program for youth institutions, announced by Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid during a parliamentary session on Monday. Responding to a question from the Istiqlal group about the state of youth centers, Bensaid explained that these partnerships aim to support local organizations that work either inside youth centers or within their own spaces. The move signals the ministry's broader goal of restoring relevance and vitality to these public institutions. 'We want youth centers to reflect the energy and aspirations of young Moroccans,' Bensaid said. 'This means opening the doors to meaningful programs, not just buildings.' Under the new strategy, the ministry has equipped 150 youth centers with educational and recreational tools, including digital games and learning materials. Bensaid said this upgrade goes hand in hand with efforts to offer young people more diverse experiences, from arts and culture to personal and professional development. The ministry also launched ASAS, a certification project tailored to socio-cultural animation, and introduced over 100 training hubs within youth centers to help local associations improve their leadership and management capacities. At the heart of the program are two digital platforms: which supports youth workers with resources and tools, and which helps centers streamline internal management. The ministry has also placed strong focus on encouraging volunteerism. It established themed clubs and partnered with both national and international organizations. A new national youth festival series is also underway, featuring activities that draw from Morocco's cultural wealth, traditional games, theater, music, storytelling, and folklore. Bensaid noted that his ministry has continued to renovate youth centers every year under a rehabilitation plan launched in 2021. The final phase of that effort is expected to wrap up this year. 'What matters most is not the number of centers, but the spirit they carry,' Bensaid said. 'Young people deserve spaces where they feel seen, heard, and supported.' Morocco's recent strides in revitalizing youth centers reflect a broader vision of empowerment through community, culture, and creativity. With renewed spaces, fresh partnerships, and a growing digital ecosystem, the country signals its belief in the potential of its young generation as key drivers of change. Tags: BensaidMorocco youth cultureyouth moroccoyouth programs
Ya Biladi
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
PAM joins Istiqlal in criticizing Akhannouch administration ahead of 2026 elections
Following the Istiqlal party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), another key player in the government coalition, has now criticized the Akhannouch administration's handling of certain sectors. During its meeting on Wednesday, March 12, the political bureau of the party did not hold back. The body «calls on the government to cancel the customs and tax exemptions aimed at lowering meat prices, as they have not had the desired effect». Positioning itself as a defender of Moroccans' purchasing power, the PAM expressed concern over «the price hikes and economic difficulties faced by many social groups». It urges the government to «iboost monitoring and take action against certain speculators and corrupt professionals who continue to exploit their networks to incite crises and profit from speculative activities», the PAM said in a statement. The party's criticism also extended to the government's action plan to boost employment by 2030, which is allocated 15 billion dirhams and was outlined in a circular from the head of government published last February. While acknowledging that «high unemployment is everyone's responsibility», the political bureau emphasized that «this new plan requires collective, responsible, and genuine commitment from all stakeholders, with a sophisticated national approach and real involvement from public authorities and elected officials». It's worth noting that the minister responsible for employment is Younes Sekkouri, a member of the PAM. These «friendly fire» incidents within the governing coalition are becoming more frequent. On January 11 in Casablanca, Nizar Baraka, the Secretary-General of the Istiqlal party, also criticized the poor results of the Akhannouch administration. As Morocco gears up for the 2026 legislative elections, 2025 promises to be a year of intense preparation for all parties, both in the majority and opposition, accompanied by its fair share of controversies.
