Jason Yossef Ben-Meir discusses efforts for rural community development

2006-10-10

Jason Yossef Ben-Meir, president of the High Atlas Foundation, talked to Magharebia about his foundation's efforts to develop rural Moroccan communities, the assistance of royal advisor Andre Azoulay and the potential for Moroccan expatriates to help.

By Farah Kinani for Magharebia in Washington – 10/10/06

[File] Ben-Meir attending a reception in Washington.

The High Atlas Foundation is a US-based organisation whose aim is to establish community-based projects in Morocco that local people design in partnership with government and non-government agencies. President Jason Yossef Ben-Meir talked about the foundation's efforts with Magharebia.

Magharebia: What is your connection to Morocco?

Jason Yossef Ben-Meir: The US Peace Corps sent me in 1993 for two years to Morocco, where I assisted rural communities that bordered Toubkal National Park in Marrakech Province in creating development projects. I could have been sent to another country. By chance, I was sent to Morocco. The experience was so wonderful that I and other Morocco Peace Corps volunteers wanted to stay involved in helping rural community development, so we created the High Atlas Foundation in 2000 as a way to continue to help rural Moroccans.

Many people, including the American government, see Morocco as a good example. The diverse and broad support of the National Initiative for Human Development, which includes all Moroccans and its Diaspora, is a great example of Moroccan solidarity.

Magharebia: Tell us more about the High Atlas Foundation.

Ben-Meir: Our basic purpose is to help create community development. Our foundation raises money through events in the United States and submission of project proposal to donor agencies -- to help establish projects that local Moroccan communities identify, implement, and manage.

We have found the biggest priorities for local communities include potable water, tree planting, irrigation, women and youth centers. Our foundation is dedicated to realising these goals.

The guiding principles of our development approach, is also that of the National Initiative for Human Development (local empowerment and self-reliance) -- so we are honored to partner with the National Initiative.

Magharebia: The High Atlas Foundation invited Andre Azoulay, an advisor to King Mohamed VI, to its second annual New York City reception. What was the main subject of his speech?

Ben-Meir:Andre Azoulay works with the foundation to help rural community development in Morocco. He stressed the vital importance of the "human-to-human" approach the foundation uses to achieve its goals.

Azoulay is also committed to enlisting rural Moroccan development projects of the High Atlas Foundation to be included among those supported by the Clinton Global Initiative's 2007 agenda.

He said that Morocco's political and economic development is irreversible.

Magharebia: What do you know about the Moroccan community in the United States?

Ben-Meir: There is a large Moroccan community in the United States, particularly in New York. They represent an important resource that can help advance the development of their homeland. However, more networks, associations, and events need to be created to give them the opportunity to contribute. There is enormous potential because Morocco has a diverse range of constituent groups that are willing to support development projects. A strategic global fundraising campaign could bring in tens of millions of dollars from private individuals and companies and help create partnerships that benefit Morocco. The National Initiative calls upon the Moroccan Diaspora to play a greater role in Morocco's development. We are dedicated to assisting this process.