UN interagency coordinator: Morocco moved from an origin country for legal immigrants to a transit country for clandestine migrants

“Morocco, with its special geographic position, moved from an origin country for legal immigrants to a transit country for clandestine migrants, coming specifically from sub-Saharan countries, UN interagency coordinator in Morocco, Marc Fawe said.

“Morocco’s geopolitical position close to Europe is at the same time a challenge and an opportunity for development,” added Fawe who stressed that the UN in close collaboration with the European Union assists Morocco and other concerned countries to address this phenomenon throughout 50 initiatives involving NGOs and local administrations in original projects linking migration to development.

According to him, migration also contributes to exchange of ideas and information at the international level. However, migration has also limitations related to entry access and control reinforced by boarders’ security in host countries, which incited many to migrate clandestinely.

This policy obliges several people, most of them young, students, and refugees to live in illegal and marginalized situation which makes them victim of inacceptable exploitation.

Mohammed Benaissa calls for more sustained dialogue between youth, government and civil society

Mohammed Benaissa president of Asilah city council and the secretary general of Asilah forum foundation had called during the opening of the third LAS Youth Forum,for more sustained dialogue between youth, government and civil society. He also called for more cooperation between Arabic countries to face the challenge and obstacles of migration flows and policies.

“This initiative translates our will to deepen dialogue between Europe and the Arab world for a common goal and a future perspective between states and civil society organizations supported by youth power and engagement,” Mohammed Benaissa, stressed, adding that the forum provides for a space for free and open youth dialogue and interactions.

Khalid El Ouhichi hails Morocco’s experience in implementing integrated migration policies

At the opening of the third LAS Youth Forum held in Asilah, nothern Morocco on Nov. 15, director of the department of population policy and migration of the League of Arab States Khalid El Ouhichi said that “most international meetings proves that migration contributes to reinforcing development efforts, sharing knowledge and experiences, and building partnerships between migrants’ countries of origin and host countries.”

“In this regard, I would like to hail Morocco’s pioneering experience in implementing an integrated and well coordinated migration policy which positively impacted the country’s economic development,” he said.

However, El Ouhichi had criticized migration policies of certain developing countries which drain several brains needed at home such as skilled labor in key priority sectors as health; education and scientific research, without respecting development partnerships.

Khalil Raihani from Morocco experts the forum will give youth a voice to tackle immigration issues

Khalil Raihani from Morocco is a consultant, and a member of the Council of Europe pool of Trainers. Khalil expects that this meeting will give youth a voice on such an important issue as immigration. As an Arab immigrant to France, Khalil wants to share his experience with all other participants.

Ioana-Delia Rusu from Romania expects to build networks to share her experience with other participants

Ioana-Delia Rusu from Romania works at the ARCA- Romanian Forum for Refugees and Migrants. She is currently working on a project called “Welcome to Romania!” which aims at improving the knowledge of the third country nationals concerning their rights, duties and integration opportunities into the Romanian society. Iona expects to build networks to share her experience with other participants.

Marie Polla from Switzerland expects the forum will strengthen dialogue between European and Arab youth & promote projects, partnerships & networks

Marie Polla from Switzerland is a volunteer in Amnesty International – Morocco and the facilitator of the integration and discrimination working group. Engaged, Marie moved to Morocco last summer to prepare for the event. She is happy that Morocco is hosting the forum this year especially that it is organized by a local non-governmental organization- The Mediterranean Forum for Youth and Childhood. During the Mollina meeting in Spain, Marie said it represented a chance for facilitators to meet and agree on common objectives. When asked about her expectations, Marie said “I expect this forum to strengthen dialogue between European and Arab youth and promote projects, partnerships and networks among participants at national, regional, and international levels.” Marie will be facilitating workshops, establishing dialogue and creativity among participants and making sure all participants reach common objectives. Marie hopes that participants would overcome prejudices and stereotypes, for “the success of this forum depends on everyone.”

Rasha Fityan from Palestine thinks the forum is a starting point to establish projects & policies to resolve youth migration issues

Rasha Fityan from Palestine, a member of the League of Arab States Youth Advisory Committee and the facilitator of the working group discussing human right and immigration believes that immigration is an issue of great importance for Arab youth, affecting different aspects of their lives. On the preparations of the forum, Rasha stated that the process began months ago in Spain where facilitators attended a preparatory meeting to set up the guidelines and themes of the forum. “The preparations took a lot of effort from everyone and I hope it will bear its fruits by the end of the forum,” she stressed. She added: “it is a starting point to establish projects and policies that might represent an entry to resolving youth migration problems.” Rasha expects to discuss the different causes of migration in both Arab and Europeans regions and establish communication around the issue.

Hashem Daghestani from Saudi Arabia believes youth can make a change by taking actions to resolving youth issues in the Arab world

Hashem Daghestani from Saudi Arabia explains that he is participating in this forum because he believes that youth can make a change by assuming responsibility, and by playing an active role in their societies. “We need to take actions and be more engaged in one of the most urgent problems that youth in the Arab region face including is immigration”, Hashem stressed. Throughout the forum he expects to build networks, find partnerships and learn from the experiences of other participants.

Representative of the League of Arab States welcomes participants

Khalid El Ouhichi,
Director of the department of population policy and migration of the League of Arab States

It’s a pleasure to welcome Arab and European young leaders active in their respective fields including arts and culture, media, and civil society to the third League of Arab States youth Forum. This year’s meeting, which attracts participants from 74 countries from the Arab world and Europe, discusses a very crucial topic which affects states and individuals dealing with migration issues.

In a recent study conducted by the department of population policy and migration of the League of Arab States on a sample of 1500 youth in the Arab world, about 70% hoped the migration process would be as smoothly as possible. More interesting, 84% of the participants would like to migrate to study; exchange experiences, and develop their capacity building, whereas, only 16% showed intentions to migrate for job opportunities.

The northern Moroccan city, Asilah was chosen to host this forum because of its long experience in local development, and I think it will be a real platform for discussions, consultations and sharing expertise in the field of youth migration. And we hope that the participants of this forum will be able to come out with innovative and practical development projects to tackle this issue.

This youth oriented forum prepared by youth for youth will be marked by several development and human rights based approach activities and workshops. My call to the participants in this special forum is to issue a pragmatic appeal which will be a voice for and meets the expectations of youth and which shall get the buy-in of decision makers in Europe and the Arab world.

Third Arab League Youth Forum on youth and migration

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the League of Arab States organizes “the LAS Youth Forum” under the theme: “youth and migration, a human rights based approach” on November 14-20, 2009 in Asilah, Morocco.

The forum, the third of its kind, is organized in partnership with the European Youth Forum, the Council of Europe, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Moroccan NGO “the Mediterranean Forum for Youth and Childhood”.

The forum aims at promoting the active participation of young Arab and European leaders in establishing a dialogue around migration issues in these respective countries.

It also aims at reinforcing the role of youth organizations in supporting development projects to address migration and its impact.

The meeting, a platform for discussions and consultations, will know the participation of about 140 participants from the 22 member states of the Arabic league, and the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. These include representatives of various governmental and nongovernmental organizations, researchers and specialists in the field of migration.

The works and meetings of the forum will be held at Prince Bandar Ibn Sultan Library and Hassan II International conference centre.