Marrakesh, 1–2 April 2017
Mediation space between actors with different ideological inspirations and references on the status of women in Morocco (October 2015 – April 2017)
Since October 2015, the Cordoba Foundation of Geneva, in partnership with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has conducted a mediation project between actors representing the different ideological inspirations and references present in Moroccan society. Polarisation between followers of different ideologies is significant in Morocco, to the point of hindering work for the common good of society. The project’s aims – reducing secular–Islamist polarisation and promoting an inclusive society – were therefore all the more relevant in that they sought to bring together representatives of different ideological inspirations and references around a question of common interest: the situation of women in Morocco.
The project’s first phase ended with a workshop held in Marrakesh on 1–2 April 2017. A positive and committed atmosphere characterised the meeting. Since October 2015, many changes have been observed and confirmed by the participants. From initial mistrust, their attitudes towards one another evolved through the process to the point where a strong team spirit took shape, with displays of solidarity across different affiliations. Each participant’s view of “the other” changed, and these changes were experienced with enthusiasm.
At the end of this first phase, participants said they were motivated to continue working together, and expressed the wish to extend the experience and make it known to a wider public.
