Rabat — Morocco’s 3rd International Salon of Children’s and Youth Literature (SILEJ) in Casablanca saw the official launch of the animated film “Show Me Your Smile,” a film dedicated to fighting school bullying.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) led the initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication. The project is part of ICESCO’s “Stop Bullying” program.
The organization’s program, launched two years ago, aims to raise awareness about the severity of bullying in schools and raise awareness about youth mental health.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch, Hassan El Hajjami, an expert at ICESCO’s Human and Social Sciences Sector, said that the film represents a comprehensive approach to preventing violent behavior through education and culture.
He explained that the program includes several educational tools designed to raise awareness.
El Hajjami indicated that the ICESCO, the ministry, and project partners will work on its wide distribution through digital platforms and social media networks to continue to promote the film.
Abdelghani El Baidi, head of cultural tourism at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication’s youth department, explained that the initiative aims to warn children and young people against the dangers of bullying in schools, learning spaces, and youth facilities.
El Baidi said authorities will soon broadcast the production on social media and varying platforms to help prevent this troubling phenomenon in educational settings.
Karim Hamidouche, acting secretary general of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, explained that the project unfolded in several creative stages.
It began with a writing competition for a dialogue-based story about school bullying, followed by a drawing contest to illustrate the selected narrative. He said these contributions led to the creation of an animated film, which he hoped to reach young audiences.
SILEJ 2025 continues until November 16 and offers a rich and diverse program bringing together Moroccan and foreign researchers, authors, and creators who specialize in youth literature.
MWN with MAP
