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The Associative work in Morocco
Related to country: Morocco

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The associative work started in Morocco with a great historical project "The Road Of Unity" 12000 young volunteers had to build a road which linked the central zone, which was under the French domination, to the North of the country which was under the domination of the Spanish. This project took place the year Morocco got Its independence, that is in 1956. Two great leaders were among the participants: The King Hassan II and the leader of USFP Mehdi Ben berka.


In 1961 a group of volunteers from "The Road Of Unity" together with another group of youth who had had some experience in voluntary service through their participation in international work camps in Europe undertook the creation of national structure dealing with voluntary service. Since the building of “The Road Of Unity” different associations were created such as the CJM in 1961 and CSM in 1963. These were the first steps of the associative work in Morocco which year after year has known a great development despite the problems and the challenges. Nowadays associations play an important role in the success of different programs and projects . More than that, everybody has agreed to give more care and responsibilities to associations in order to contribute more and more in different fields , but this contribution is controlled by the size and the nature of the support to these associations in different levels. Training services, good leadership able to lead and mobilize are the best ways of support that strengthen the infrastructure of the civil society in order to create institutes able to insure continuous work and projects.

CJM “Chantiers de Jeunesse Marocaine”


“Chantier de Jeunesse Marocaine” is an association which was

created in 1961 and can be considered as a continuation of the spirit of “ the Road Of Unity”. CJM, since it was created participated in different important national projects Such as “DERO” (Economical and Rural Development Of The
Occidental Rif) (1968-1969), Haouz, a project in which young farmers were
taught new agricultural techniques, the school canteen operation, building of
schools and led different campaigns against illiteracy.



Today, with rich experience behind it, CJM is preparing itself to enter new fields of concerns such as the preservation of the environment, the preservation of architectural heritage and social work in its various faces. The association managed to asset its existence in the national and international levels where its presence has been confirmed by different activities undertaken by the local branches which cover great deal of the territory. Among its activities we can note:

- The organization of international work camps through the country .

- Exchange of volunteers and work camps leaders.

- Organization of work camp leader training sessions, seminars…


The association of CJM “Chantiers de Jenesse Marocaine” is aiming to:

- implement volunteering spirit and enabling the youth to contribute in the development of the Moroccan society.

- Develop exchange between the Moroccan youth and others from other
countries by organizing international work camps.

- participate in spreading peace and mutual understanding.

-Protect environment, cultural and architectural heritage.

-Participate in social and economical development of poor and marginalized
groups.



“Nouvelle Rencontre” “Reseau Maillage Maroc “



‘’Nouvelle Rencontre’’, which was created in November 18th, 2003 is an independent association from political and religious institutions. It is part of “Reseauobjectives. The association has managed to assert its existence in the national and international levels aiming to participate in animating social , cultural and sport fields without losing the Moroccan culture and identity.



“Nouvelle Rencontre” Is also aiming to:

- Organize training sessions through the use of youth centers, private and public institutions.

- Organize seminars, conferences, meetings and festivals.

- Organize work camps in cooperation with national and international organizations.

- Contribute in Local projects that are in the services of citizens and the nation in different fields.

- Work on the issues of women, children and youths.

- Develop exchange between associations that work in the same fields and have the same objectives whether inside or outside Morocco.

- Spread peace and mutual understanding.

- Make contracts with ministers and NGOs to create developing programs in social and cultural fields.




“Nouvelle Rencontre” was the first association to organize a

conference about the youth of marginalized neighborhoods and what they can

offer to the National Initiation Of Human Development. The meeting organized

by “ Nouvelle Rencontre “ was a successful one, because of the attendance of

Moroccan youth from all over Morocco.


The Role of associations and their contribution to INDH:



The role of associations in the social and the cultural life has

become more and more important in the North and the East as in the South. Morocco during the 90`s has known a democratic openness which allows the emergence of many associations that work in different fields such as Human Rights, Women Rights Democracy Tamazight Culture… This openness has permitted the associations to play a key role of integrating the civil society in the processes of development. Associations have also invested in micro-financial field which gives the opportunity to marginalized people to get access to

credits and allow millions of poor families to fulfill their micro projects. The good example is the two associations that I have talked about previously; “La Nouvelle Rencontre” is entering a new experience aiming to create the first center for mental handicaps in Rabat-Hassan section. This center is considered as the fruit of the members` hard work since the establishment of the association in 2003. This center will provide many places of work. The association will have more money to create other projects and
the families will save money as well. Concerning CJM, the members told me that they have worked in sustainable projects since the association was created in 1961.


Associations and political parties:



After the last elections in 2003, most representatives of political parties have gathered in associations. If they are not accepted in these associations they create their owns in order to get funding and use it for personal purposes and interests despite the fact that these associations exist only on papers. They stand before associations that try their best to contribute in the development of their neighborhoods through creating sustainable projects. While the associations that belong to those representatives are just looking for clearing their images in order to gain the votes of people in the next elections. A good example of these associations is “Al Jamour” in a neighborhood called “Akkari”. When I talked to Mr. Sebti Taoufik president of “La Nouvelle Rencontre” he told me that last year they got a funding of 10.000 DHS and because they refused to work with some
members of political parties in their area, who are in the making-decision level , this year they got a funding of 2000 DHS what a contrast!!! Concerning the section of Rabat-Hassan that belongs to CJM does not get high funding because they have so many problems with representatives of political parties even if most members who are responsible of CJM are politicians in one of the greatest parties in Morocco. People are interested more and more in becoming members of associations and not political parties. Association is a place where people can express their ideas, their problems and interests. Its objectives are transparency, democracy, contribution in the development of society , teach people to become good citizens and to
be open-minded, able to look out of the box without being extremists . When I talked to a group of volunteers in both associations they told me that there are two main reasons that push people to become more and more interested in associations : First, Morocco is knowing a social emptiness and the state does not accomplish its obligations . the second reason is that people who join most associations are jobless and their objective is to
realize material stability. But from my simple experience as a member of two different associations I have discovered that not all people are having the same objectives. There re some people who want to do something good to their community and the only solution to do it legally and to get support is through creating an association. Others join associations only for political purposes and they are many in our country.


In sum, I hope that this piece of work will satisfy, in one way or
another, the curiosity of those who want to know more and more about the

associative work in Morocco. I want to note, however, that this research is not perfect and cannot cover everything about the associative work in Morocco. First, because of the shortness of the time and the issue of the associative work in Morocco is very large and cannot be covered in 15 pages. I have decided to end this paper by giving some solutions which can help in one way or another the development of the associative work in Morocco.


I think that it is very important in associations to teach people about how to make projects work, for example setting goals and timelines, finding funding and keeping relationships with the funders strong even when money is not required, which would make associations a lot more productive. A chain of responsibility, budget, activities and administration –all these should be evaluated on regular basis, by a person or group independent of that individual association. I think these things could go along way to addressing the problem of associations in Morocco. The main one I think is the lack of follow through organization on otherwise good projects. Adding to this I have two others solutions that are; the government should push ministries of Youth and Education to sign contracts in order to organize meetings, conferences, training periods for children and teenagers inside schools and to make them aware of the rules of the associative work which will make them enthusiast to join one of the associations in their areas of living. The other main point is that we should separate between the political objective and the associative work. We should be aware of this phenomenon that dominating our civil society the last days.

May 11, 2008 | 9:03 AM Comments  0 comments

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