The city of Kénitra was, for nearly two weeks, the capital of world youth. The Ibn Tofaïl University recently organised, in partnership with the Wilaya of Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen and the "Dar Lakbira" association, the World Forum of Young Leaders for the promotion of peace and social development.
This large youth gathering brought together nearly 120 participants from 32 countries. According to its initiators, this international event constitutes an opportunity for reflection and exchange between young international leaders around subjects relating to the values of humanism and solidarity. The introductory speech by Zineb El Adaoui, Wali of the Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen region, Governor of the Kénitra province, reflects the state of mind that prevailed during the holding of this world summit. "Your presence among us today," she stresses, "constitutes the perfect proof of your commitment to the promotion of the values of peace, tolerance, coexistence and positive dialogue within your societies and also across the world." The Wali did not fail to recall the Kingdom's rich experience in promoting the values of peace throughout the world. A country, she specifies, that puts man at the heart of the social development process.
With a smile on her lips, Awa Jobe, a young representative from The Gambia, indicated that her presence at the Kénitra World Forum was a beautiful experience that allowed her to meet young people from various countries to debate peace and social development. This great meeting, she adds, has reinforced my convictions about Morocco's role in strengthening the values of peace and tolerance throughout the world, as well as for conflict resolution. "I will keep very beautiful memories of this visit to this beautiful country and to Kénitra," she concluded in essence.
This World Forum, in which Mohand Laenser, Minister of Youth and Sports, Abdeslam Seddiki, Minister of Employment and Social Affairs, Dwight L. Bush, Ambassador of the United States to Morocco, as well as several diplomats took part, was crowned by the adoption of the Peace Charter, which emphasises the importance of diplomacy and dialogue for the promotion of the values of peace and dialogue between peoples.
The young participants in the World Forum for the promotion of peace and social development also launched an appeal for the countries concerned to provide support to illegal refugees. To achieve these objectives, the young leaders will make available to their respective societies the experience acquired during the Kénitra World Forum, while encouraging their countries to multiply cultural activities linked to peace. They will also work towards the creation of spaces for dialogue through community projects. The charter did not fail to insist on the central role of education for the promotion of the values of love and respect between different cultures and civilisations.
It is to be remembered that the twelve days of the World Forum for the promotion of peace and development allowed the young participants, who came from the four corners of the planet, to meet personalities from different horizons: high-ranking government and regional officials, researchers, civil society actors and young leaders acting in different fields linked to the main theme of this unique event. In addition to its initial programming composed of conferences, training workshops, and discussion panels, the forum also offered young leaders the opportunity to discover Moroccan culture and socio-cultural traditions through thematic outings, social and cultural events, as well as participation in civic actions. They left the Kingdom convinced that Morocco constitutes a model from which several countries should draw inspiration.
