The 16th Summer University for young Moroccans living abroad (MRE) got underway in Rabat on Monday, as part of the “Marhaba 2025” summer support program for MREs.
Organized by the MRE department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Expatriates, this initiative, which brings together 300 young MREs from some 30 countries of residence, will put the spotlight on the city of Rabat, with field visits planned to several of the capital's infrastructures and historic sites.
This year's activities will enable participants to learn about the major strategic projects launched under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and to discover their country's economic, cultural and tourist assets.
Speaking at the event, Ismail Lamghari, Secretary General of the Moroccans Residing Abroad department, said that the program had a cultural vocation, with the aim of strengthening the ties between new generations of Moroccans from around the world and their country of origin.
This program enables young people to gain a better understanding of their heritage, while at the same time discovering the many opportunities offered by the major transformations currently taking place in Morocco, explained Mr. Lamghari.
For this year's event, he added, 300 young people aged 18 to 25 from 30 countries will be welcomed for a week of meetings and conferences focusing on the Kingdom's cultural, identity and economic dimensions.
The participants will also have the opportunity to discover Rabat's historic sites, visit large-scale infrastructures such as the Port Tanger Med and attend the next match of the women's national team against the DR Congo team, on Wednesday at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, as part of the Africa Cup of Nations, the official added.
For his part, Mustapha Messaoudi, General Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication - Youth Department, stressed that this event was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, reconcile visions and coordinate actions between the various departments, sectors and stakeholders involved in monitoring and dealing with the issues and concerns of young MREs.
It's also an opportunity for these young people to discover first-hand the major development projects launched in Morocco under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and to gain a better understanding of the Kingdom's cultural, economic and tourist potential," said Mr. Messaoudi.
Aware of the importance of paying special attention to this dynamic segment of the population, the Ministry is mobilizing its resources to meet the needs of young people, encouraging their involvement in the programs and major events it organizes.
For his part, Mehdi Qotbi, Chairman of the National Museums Foundation, praised the organizers for having taken the initiative of holding this meeting aimed at strengthening the attachment of MREs to their roots.
Mr. Qotbi called on the new generation of MREs to “make themselves worthy ambassadors for their country”, highlighting the remarkable progress made by the Kingdom under the leadership of His Majesty the King.
In his speech, Ahmed Abbadi, General Secretary of the Rabita Mohammadia des Oulémas, emphasized the crucial importance of the question of identity, stressing its fundamental link with the cultural, historical and civilizational context. He welcomed the presence of young MREs, seeing it as a strong sign of their attachment to their origins and culture.
Identity comprises five major components: worldview, value system, legislative framework, behavior and communication codes," said Mr. Abbadi, stressing the need to clarify, contextualize and appropriate each of these pillars.
In the same vein, the General Secretary of the Rabita Mohammadia des Oulémas emphasized the uniqueness of the Moroccan legislative system, which combines the principles of Islam with functional considerations, making it highly adaptable.
For nine days (July 05-13), participants will take part in a rich and varied program featuring thematic workshops and conference-debates led by speakers from academic, cultural and institutional circles.
These meetings will address topics as diverse as the Kingdom's identity, culture and cultural dimensions, as well as its economic assets. Special attention will be paid to Morocco's co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup, analyzed in terms of its potential for socio-economic development and international visibility.
The program will be rounded off with educational outings and immersive visits to discover the many heritage, economic and socio-cultural facets of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region. These activities will provide young MREs with an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of transformation that Morocco is undergoing, while raising their awareness of current issues and future prospects.
Since its launch in 2009, this program has been one of the flagship initiatives dedicated to the younger generations of MREs, enabling them to exchange ideas and discover the richness of their country of origin, in particular its history, culture and value system based on dialogue and tolerance.