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Rabat – The Embassy of Switzerland in Morocco hosted the third edition of “The Way” under the theme “Switzerland: between neutrality and mediation,” on January 23 at the residence of the Swiss ambassador in Rabat.
The event, co-organized by Global Shapers Rabat and the Swiss Embassy in Morocco, featured an informative speech delivered by the Swiss Ambassador Guillaume Scheurer on a variety of key topics ranging from Switzerland’s history, education system, and economic model, as well as Moroccan-Swiss relations and areas of cooperation.
In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN) on the sidelines of the event, the ambassador explained that the initiative targets young leaders in their communities that want to shape the future of their countries.
“I am happy to discuss with them [youth], listen to them, to their ideas, but also try to explain the Swiss system,” the ambassador said.
He explained that he will speak to the youth about Switzerland’s neutrality and its unique role at wartime, as well as the country’s mediation efforts, policy, and economy.
“For me it’s very important to meet the active youth of Morocco,” the ambassador reiterated.
The Swiss diplomat highlighted that the Global Shapers Community is a World Economic Forum (WEF) initiative, emphasizing that the event’s organization in Rabat is“timely,” given that the WEF just concluded in Davos.
He also underscored Morocco’s strong presence at the forum –, the Moroccan delegation at the global forum was led by Morocco’s Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, and it consisted of a number of ministers and civil society representatives.
Global Shapers Rabat: Empowering Youth
participants at the event
Highling the event’s importance, Curator of the Global Shapers Rabat Hub Salaheddine Bakor told MWN, “The most important mission and the goal for today is to offer a platform for the youth to talk to the ambassador, noting that for the youth, embassies and international institutions are “very difficult to reach out.”
“We are trying to open the door for the youth to get in touch with the ambassador, ask questions, and also know more about Switzerland,” Bakor added.
He explained the motivation behind the launch of the Global Shapers Rabat hub, stating that the absence of young people at the WEF served as a major impetus for the creation of the initiative, which aims to involve young people in the decision-making process.
Curator of the Global Shapers Rabat Hub Salaheddine Bakor
“The Way” is a series of exchanges on social, economic and cultural topics between young people and various Moroccan and foreign stakeholders, who bring their expertise to the youth, said the organizers in a press release.
Its mission is to promote values, debate ideas, and develop cooperations with the community, they argued.
Moroccan-Swiss Relations
Morocco and Switzerland flags
In his speech at the event, Ambassador Scheurer highlighted the “dynamic, positive and stable bilateral relations” between Switzerland and Morocco.
The ambassador recalled the signing of two agreements in December 2021 to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as the signing of a joint declaration on Article 6 of the Paris Climate Accords.
Ambassador Scheurer noted the dynamism of Switzerland and Morocco’s economic relations and cooperation, citing the presence of Swiss multinational corporations in Morocco such as Nestle, Novartis, and ABB, among others.
According to the ambassador, Switzerland aims to further strengthen ties with Morocco in many areas of cooperation, including the strengthening of dialogue on migration with Morocco by signing a cooperation agreement on migration.
He also spoke of the need for both countries to strengthen their cooperation in sustainable development, particularly in the fields of energy, transport, and agriculture.
