UEMF hosts the youth event of the 9th United Nations Global Forum on the Alliance of Civilizations

From November 21 to 23, 2022, the Euromed University of Fes (UEMF) is hosting the youth event of the 9th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations World Forum, taking place in Fes (UNAOC).

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations World Forum is being held for the first time on the African continent. Due to the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI concerning world peace, the promotion of intercultural and interfaith dialogue, coexistence, and inclusion, this Forum is taking place in Morocco, particularly in the spiritual and ancestral city of Fes. Fes is home to the oldest continuously operating university in the world, Al Qarawiyine University, which served as the backbone of the golden age of Muslim civilization in Andalusia by providing and sharing science and knowledge with the Iberian Peninsula and, by extension, with Europe and the world.

Foreign ministers, intellectuals, religious figures, and high-level representatives from different countries across five continents are participating in this global event to raise the voice of tolerance, coexistence, unity, and a single, indivisible humanity. This comes at a time when, unfortunately, ideas and ideologies of identity-based isolationism, radicalization, extremism, terrorism, as well as xenophobia, hatred, and rejection of the other are proliferating.

By decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, and in consultation with the UN, the 'youth' component of the Forum is being held at the Euromed University of Fes, a project initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. UEMF's primary mission is to promote intercultural dialogue, exchange, and cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean, with a natural extension towards sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, 43 nationalities are represented among its students and teacher-researchers.

The 'Youth' component of the forum began this morning, November 21, at UEMF with welcoming words from Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, and Mr. Mostapha Bousmina, President of UEMF.

Mr. Bousmina emphasized the important and salutary role of His Majesty the King, an advocate and fervent defender of pluralism, respect for cultures and religions, and a true unifier of peoples, favoring the spirit of concord over discord, consensus over dissensus, and the logic of addition rather than subtraction. He stated that Morocco's cardinal values of tolerance, coexistence, and otherness are illustrated by actions, citing examples such as the royal solicitude in preserving and enhancing Moroccan Jewish heritage, Morocco's migration policy and the inclusion of sub-Saharan migrants, the scholarship policy for sub-Saharan students, and the training of imams to preach the values of peace, moderation, and the middle path to prevent ideologies of fanaticism, radicalization, and terrorism. The young attendees were astonished and delighted to hear Mr. Bousmina read the preamble of Morocco's 2011 constitution, which explains the diversity of Moroccan identity and the values of tolerance and inclusion that characterize Morocco and Moroccans.

After the opening remarks, the 300 young participants representing 98 nationalities split into several groups to exchange and debate within UEMF's Eco-Campus on themes related to interreligious dialogue, combating discrimination and intolerance based on religion through all channels, including social media. Other themes related to promoting peace through sports, the role of education and women for a more just, peaceful, and inclusive society, and changing the narrative on migration were also discussed. These exchanges and debates will continue until November 23.

At the conclusion of these three days of exchange and cross-pollination of opinions, the youth will formulate recommendations to the United Nations for a more tolerant, just, and inclusive world.