Hughes visits schools, learning centres in Morocco

2006-06-07

As part of her "listening and learning" tour, US Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes focused her four-day visit to Morocco on social issues. She toured NGOS and centres funded by various US programmes, stressing the importance of learning and cultural exchange.

By Hassan Benmehdi for Magharebia in Casablanca -- 07/06/06

[Getty Images] Karen Hughes, US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

US Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes kicked off her Morocco visit on Sunday (4 June) with meetings with officials from the Moroccan Foreign Affairs Ministry in Casablanca, before concentrating most of her agenda on social issues.

"I’m here really to listen and to learn," Hughes told a press conference at the Sidi Moumen Sports Centre in Casablanca. "Morocco has been at the forefront of a number of democratic reforms in the region … so Morocco I think has a real leadership role to play throughout the Arab and wider Islamic world. Morocco and my country also have a very special partnership," she added.

Accompanied by the US Ambassador in Rabat Thomas Riley, as well as other American diplomats, Hughes visited the various departments and offshoots of the "Feminine Solidarity" association led by Aicha Echenna. The association helps abused women and single mothers integrate back into society and their families so that they don't abandon their children.

Speaking at a press conference at the US funded association, Hughes said she was "inspired by the strength, joy and graciousness of Moroccan women… I think judging from the women I saw this morning, they feel that the American program is helping, giving them new skills. I picked up a young girl there and said what her mother was doing and learning at this program is going to make that child’s life better and going to make Morocco a stronger country so we are proud to be a partner in all of that."

Hughes then proceeded to the "Riwak El Fanni", an NGO specialising in educational and cultural activities for underprivileged children and families. The organisation is based in the working-class district of Moulay Rachid and runs a programme of educational and extracurricular activities to encourage children’s personal growth, and to help them express their personality and develop their imagination.

Hughes also visited the American Language Center, where she met with students and alumni at the English Access Microscholarship site.

Abdelfatah Al-Idrissi, a former student at the center, spoke on behalf of the students at the US funded centre.

"Basically, we’ve a problem in Morocco about jobs and English now is more important to have jobs," Al-Idrissi said, adding that "because of English, because of the Access program, I went to the US, I participated in an American movie, and now I’ve got a job, which is very, very important to me … we are living in poor neighborhoods, well, because of English these days we’ve got, I’ve got, a job and I don’t think without this opportunity I would have a job now."

Hughes stressed the importance of learning English and the cultural exchange and educational programmes supported by the United States State Department, "because I think the more we know each other, the better we will understand each other", she explained.

"When people arrive from the United States, they realise how hospitable the Moroccan people are. They see the beauty of the country, its glorious history.... and when young Moroccan people visit the United States they see the same thing," she said before concluding her visit to Casablanca.

In Marrakesh, Hughes inaugurated the country's second "American Corner", which serves as an information centre for Moroccans to meet, hold discussion forums, browse the internet, and learn about the United States. The project was carried out in association with local institutions.

"We are proud that America is working in partnership with the government of Morocco, with NGOs and private organizations here in Morocco to work on these programs that I think are so meaningful in the lives of the people of Morocco," Hughes said.