Rabat Conference Focuses on Diaspora Engagement for National Growth
On October 29, 2023, a significant conference was held in Rabat, organized by HEM International University in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung foundation. The event, which took place at the Tour Hassan Hotel, aimed to bridge the gap between the expertise of Moroccans living abroad and the development needs of their homeland. Attendees included a diverse group of entrepreneurs, researchers, institutional representatives, and members of the Moroccan diaspora, all convening to explore avenues for investment, knowledge transfer, and scientific cooperation.
A critical preparatory workshop preceded the main event, focusing on three vital priorities: mobilizing the skills of the diaspora, fostering entrepreneurship and investment, and enhancing connections between research and global networks. The insights gained from this workshop informed the broader discussions on how to create stronger relationships between overseas Moroccan talent and local businesses, universities, and institutions.
Younes Slaoui, the chairman of HEM’s board, emphasized the conference's ambition to forge closer links between talented individuals abroad and Morocco’s economic, scientific, and institutional sectors, thereby generating new opportunities for collaboration. The discussions were moderated by journalist Nisrine Aouzdagh and featured notable figures such as Jamal Belahrach, president of the Maison de la Diaspora Marocaine, and entrepreneur Hafida Moukadiri, among others.
Bouchra By, the Director General of HEM, articulated a call for tangible collaborations between young professionals trained in Morocco and those from the diaspora, specifically in the fields of education, research, and innovation. Steven Höfner, the foundation’s resident representative for Morocco and Mauritania, highlighted the role of the diaspora as a vital link connecting various societies, cultures, and opportunities.
The conference concluded with a shared vision among the organizers to move beyond merely acknowledging the potential of the Moroccan diaspora. Instead, they aimed to establish sustained channels that would enable the diaspora to contribute effectively to Morocco’s ongoing development.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
