Supporting the Engagement of Civil Society in Morocco’s Elections Oslo Governance Forum: Oct 3-5, 2011 Elarbi Imad:

Main objective: Civic education program offered by this project: includes content knowledge, skills and attitudes for participating in community and political life. To provide materials, training, and support for local programs to engage youth in public policy issues and enable them to participate in informed political dialogue with other voters and candidates.

Educationa 4 Project Citizen a curricular program for youth organizations, and adult groups that promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. The program helps participants learn how to monitor and influence public policy. In the process, they develop support for good governance, democratic values and principles, tolerance, and feelings of political efficacy

5 Project Citizen introduces Youth to the political process and helps them to develop their commitment to active citizenship by: Providing the knowledge and skills required for effective participation. Providing practical experience designed to foster a sense of competence and efficacy. Developing an understanding of the importance of citizen participation.

Project Citizen Process: Public policy problem-based learning Youth work in advocacy groups 6

. Step 1: Identifying the community Problem Trainers assists youth with identifying community problems/ issues they wish to address. 1.Common problems list 2.Interviews 3.Printed and other media sources

Step 2: Selecting a Problem for Study Trainers assist youth with selecting the one community problem they wish to address. 1.Check there is enough information to make a decision 2.Reach consensus 3.Make sure the problem is community-relevant

Programs Step 3: Gathering Information on the Problem Trainer assists youth with researching the selected problem. 1.Use multiple sources 2.Gather documents 3.Interview experts 4.Analyze the information for accuracy and relevance

Programs Step 4: Develop a portfolio that analyzes the problem, considers alternative solutions, proposes a public policy solution, and develops an action plan to get the policy adopted by government.

Programs Step 5: Showcase and project presentation Youth participate in a simulated public hearing to present and defend the research and recommended public policy

Step 6: Reflect on the learning experience and submit the project documents to the concerned authorities to enlist them adopt the public policies

Project results Engage youth in public policy advocacy and the sharing of policy proposals, action plans and experiences with each other. Increased voter turn out.( The voter turnout at national level on June 12, 2009 has reached 52.4%. A total of 3,406 women were elected, out of 20,458 candidates, as against 127 in 2003, up by over 250%.) mass media outreach and attraction. Involvement of other stakeholder: Partnerships developed and MOU signed Sustainability. Project implementation exceeded expectations. Creation of dialogue on community issues and local governance between the project participants, the community members and elected officials.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION For more information: Elarbi Imad, President Moroccan Center for Civic Education, Morocco 165, Bd Abdelmoumen, Imm B, 3 Etage, N 6, Casablanca 20360, Morocco Tel: Fax: Cell: Website: