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Rabat – In an effort to encourage meaningful connections between the academic and professional worlds,, the Director-General of the Moroccan Center of Competence on Climate Change (4C Morocco), Rajae Chafil, welcomed on February 2, students to the third edition of Rabat Networking Days, an initiative of Morocco World News.
Designed to offer bright students a unique platform to learn about how prestigious organizations work and make valuable connections with experienced professionals in Rabat, the event highlighted a growing trend of cooperation between educational institutions and industry players in addressing pressing global challenges.
Adnane Bennis, CEO and Co founder of MWN (left) and Rajae Chafil, Director-General of the Moroccan Center of Competence on Climate Change (Right)
Empowering tomorrow’s leaders
4C Morocco serves as a national platform for dialogue and skill enhancement among various stakeholders, functioning as a hub for climate change information at the regional, African, and global levels.
With a focus on supporting the National Commission on Climate Change, the institution also collaborates with the African Climate Academies and commissions across the continent to bolster climate awareness and spur action.
Chafil emphasized the institution’s commitment to engaging Moroccan society comprehensively in climate change mitigation efforts, highlighting its multi-stakeholder approach that brings together public and private sector actors, civil society, academia, and research expertise.
“To engage Moroccan society as a whole in the fight against climate change, 4C Morocco was designed as a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together public and private players, as well as associations and universities,” she stated.
Structured colleges within the center provide tailored work plans for members from different sectors, creating a collaborative environment for addressing climate challenges.
Building bridges through dialogue
During the engagement session, students had the opportunity to interact with Chafil. They gained insight into 4C Morocco’s mission and participated in a lively question-and-answer session to deepen their understanding of the climate crisis.
Moroccan student participating in RND
In an interview with Morocco World News, Chafil said she was excited to share her expertise with bright students who could be tomorrow’s leaders as Morocco positions itself in the global race to meet the climate challenge.
“It was a great pleasure to host the students from Al Akhawayn University,” she explained. “At 4C Morocco, we are keen on engaging with the younger generation as we recognize the pivotal role they play in shaping our collective response to climate change.”
Beyond highlighting the urgency of climate action, the MWN-organized dialogue aimed to inspire students from a wide range of academic disciplines to consider careers in environmental advocacy, regardless of academic discipline.
Chafil underscored the interdisciplinary nature of addressing climate challenges, noting the relevance of climate considerations across various professions in the face of rising temperatures, water scarcity, and increased frequency of natural disasters.
Nurturing environmental stewardship
Through initiatives like the African Climate Academy, which annually trains over 300 young Africans from diverse backgrounds, 4C Morocco actively cultivates a new generation of climate leaders.
Moroccan student participating in RND
By instilling a sense of responsibility and passion for environmental stewardship, the institution aims to encourage students to become climate advocates or consider careers in climate-related fields.
“What we tried to do today with the students was firstly to talk to them about the problem of climate change, which has harmful impacts not only on Morocco, but on several countries around the world, particularly African countries, and above all to inspire them to get involved in this field, whatever their future career,” Chafil stressed.
She noted that the students showed a genuine interest in climate change issues throughout the discussions, and expressed her hope that such engagement would inspire them to become climate experts.
Moroccan student participating in RND
Meanwhile, by promoting dialogue, fostering connections, and inspiring future leaders, the Rabat networking Days hopes to pave the way for collective action toward a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
It is through the partnerships and commitments made at such networking and knowledge-sharing gatherings that the seeds of environmental advocacy are sown, cultivating a generation of change-makers ready to take on the pressing challenges of our time.
