The official inauguration of the Alliance of Civilizations Chair, the result of a partnership between the UEMF and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, marked a highlight of these days. Abdelhak El Azzouzi, President of this Chair, stressed the importance of this event, noting that "it is unique of its kind and will leave a lasting mark on minds and future generations. Beyond its factual significance, its symbolic and historical scope will leave a lasting impression on minds. Not only ours, but also those of the next generations of officials, students, and teacher-researchers". He added: "This Chair was founded in accordance with the mission embodied by the United Nations and the vocation of our University as defined by our august King His Majesty Mohammed VI, may God assist Him. It was following the ninth Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, which was organised in Fès in 2022 and solemnly welcomed by the Royal message addressed to the participants, that the decision was taken by our University and the UNAOC to establish its foundations, by endowing it with both a high patronage body bringing together international and national personalities, and a local executive team". André Azoulay for his part, praised Morocco's role as a model of openness and dialogue. According to him, "Morocco is the alliance of civilisations in itself, it is with us, it has been for a long time, it is today and it will be tomorrow. Through its openness to the world and its roots in the culture of dialogue, peace, and listening to all narratives, Morocco embodies in itself the Alliance of all our civilisations". For his part, Mostapha Bousmina praised the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. He stated: "With the presence of several personalities, both national and international, everyone finally praised the salutary policy of His Majesty, in terms of the alliance of civilisations, rapprochement between peoples, and inclusion, which are the cardinal values of our country, just as they are in resonance with the vision of His Majesty, who never ceases to call on different peoples to come together and who shines internationally on the theme of the alliance of civilisations and the acceptance of the other as a part of ourselves that nourishes us and enriches us." These UEMF meetings illustrate once again Morocco's ability to play a central role in promoting intercultural dialogue based on peace, cooperation, and shared values. Brahim Benjelloun Touimi: "Towards sustainable global governance based on trust and cooperation" During a panel organised on Saturday at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fès under the theme "Transparency, accountability, and trust as foundations of sustainable global governance", Brahim Benjelloun Touimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Casablanca Stock Exchange, insisted on the importance of building mutual trust to promote a more united and inclusive world. On this occasion, he shared four key convictions for establishing sustainable global governance:
• Multidisciplinarity and global cooperation: faced with global challenges such as climate change, inequalities, and migration, he called for collective mobilisation integrating States, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector. The goal is to harmonise public and private policies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. • Strengthening existing multilateralism: he stressed the need to exploit and improve current multilateral frameworks, such as UN reforms, the G20, and the global financial architecture. • Regulation and prevention of financial crises: effective global governance must rely on harmonised international regulations to strengthen transparency and prevent crises, while taking into account the specificities of developing countries. • Strategic role of Africa: according to him, Africa, rich in human and natural resources, must play a central role in building inclusive and sustainable global governance, in line with the African Union's Agenda 2063.
Brahim Benjelloun Touimi also stressed that Africa represents a space for co-development, mutual respect, stability, and progress, embodying dynamic North-South cooperation. He affirmed that Morocco could be a bridge between continents and a vector for global integration. The panel was composed of several renowned speakers, including Mohamed Horani, CEO of the technology company HPS, and Abdeslam Seddiki, former Moroccan Minister of Employment. Questions for Prof. Abdelhak Azzouzi, President of the Alliance of Civilizations Chair at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fès
Could you tell us about the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fès Meetings on the Alliance of Civilizations? The Euro-Mediterranean University of Fès Meetings on the Alliance of Civilizations, organised under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, are being held on 6 and 7 December 2024 with the participation of several personalities and experts from diverse backgrounds: ministers, ambassadors, senior officials from the UN, the European Union, religious figures, international experts, academics, members of international civil society, and students from more than fifty countries. This edition takes place in a very particular geopolitical and economic context. With the guiding theme "Rebuilding trust for a united and plural world", they aim to restore a capacity for collective action focused on rebuilding trust in the future, consolidating trust within societies, and the resurgence of trust as a fundamental vector of cooperation between nations. At the opening of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fès Meetings, there will be the official inauguration of the Alliance of Civilizations Chair. You are the President of the Chair, could you tell us a little more about it? You know, in his speech a few days ago on the occasion of the 10th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, held in Cascais, near Lisbon, Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, concluded by expressing Morocco's satisfaction regarding the opening, on 6 December, of the Alliance of Civilizations Chair at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fès. "This Chair durably anchors Morocco to the Alliance and the Alliance to Morocco". Indeed, this Chair is officially inaugurated by H.E. Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative of the United Nations for the Alliance of Civilizations. This is a major event in the life of our University. I would even say that it is almost unique in the world. Beyond its factual significance, its symbolic and historical scope will leave a lasting impression on minds. Not only ours, but also those of the next generations of officials, students, and teacher-researchers. Each of them will perpetuate the idea that the alliance for values is what will give man, again and always, the will to continue his work of progress, whatever the obstacles and hostile circumstances. And in this regard, you will understand what a virtuous alliance we are sealing today between the UNAOC and our University. Both have been committed for some years now to consolidating the fruitful paths of peace and happy coexistence between peoples. We know that times are difficult, but nothing will demotivate those who have made the bet to believe in humanity and the civilisations that embody it. In order to give it all the effectiveness and visibility that its mission requires, we have endowed it with an academic Master's degree and a Doctoral training programme accredited by our ministry. In the same perspective, we have made it, on the one hand, a vector for scientific production, as evidenced by the books and journals we have just published, and, on the other hand, a space for debate where our young students practise prospective reflection on the future of our societies. As proof, the Mediterranean Youth Forum that we organised at the Moroccan Parliament in Rabat, and the second edition that we are holding in parallel with our Meetings on the reappropriation of trust.
