Moroccan Embassy Illuminates Path to Continental Unity Through Education

Thursday 23 May 2024 - 10:30

The Moroccan Embassy in Washington, D.C., orchestrated a captivating celebration of Africa Day, spotlighting education as the unifying force that can propel the continent towards inclusive progress and shared prosperity. The embassy convened a distinguished gathering of African diplomatic corps members, U.S. Department of State representatives, political figures, civil society advocates, NGOs, and influential think tanks for a high-level panel discussion themed "Education: A Unifying, Coherent, and Inclusive Issue."

Moderated by the esteemed Moroccan Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, the discourse resonated harmoniously with the African Union's (AU) current priorities for the year 2024, fostering a robust exchange of ideas aligned with the organization's presidency, currently held by Mauritania.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Amrani eloquently underscored that "education is the heart that pumps life into an Africa moving towards inclusive progress and shared prosperity." He further emphasized the intrinsic link between youth, women, and education, forming the bedrock of Morocco's strategic orientations, both domestically and in its foreign policy endeavors.

The ambassador's poignant words echoed Morocco's unwavering commitment to synergizing its national efforts and African commitments through the prism of unity, continuously striving to achieve more coordinated, inclusive, and supportive continental operational modes, with education taking a pivotal role.

AU Ambassador to Washington, Hilda Suka-Mafudze, warmly welcomed the initiative, accentuating that "inclusive debate and the sharing of ideas are the driving forces behind African construction." Her remarks highlighted the urgency of a concerted approach to address the challenges and opportunities of education in Africa, underscoring the need for strategic investments where needs are most pressing.

The esteemed panel, comprising the Rwandan Ambassador, Mathilde Mukantabana, the Mauritanian Ambassador, Cissé Mint Cheikh Ould Boide, and directors, vice-directors, and researchers from renowned American think tanks such as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Education Development Center, and Prosper Africa, echoed the shared sentiments.

Ambassador Ould Boide illuminated the burgeoning opportunities for cooperation on the African continent, noting the emergence of an African voice gaining political influence, particularly with the prospect of Africa's forthcoming seat in the G20.

Ambassador Mukantabana offered a national perspective, invoking the Rwandan model as a testament to how history and education can propel a nation towards much-needed unity.

Daniel Swift, Deputy Coordinator of Prosper Africa, echoed U.S. President Joe Biden's sentiments, emphasizing the U.S.'s commitment to diversifying supply chains and investing in Africa. He endorsed the notion that education serves as a fundamental angle in this overarching strategy, citing the example of cooperation with Morocco as a model to be emulated on a continental scale.

Zainab Usman, representing the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, underscored that Africa's progress must account for three transformative forces: the digital transition, climate challenges necessitating a rethinking of the current economic system, and the trade and geopolitical nexus.

Nada Berrada, the Education Development Center's representative in Washington, poignantly noted that climate challenges are alarmingly impacting African construction, particularly in the realm of education. She emphasized the necessity of acquiring new skills to support emerging economies, asserting that "the green economy is a necessity and an opportunity, requiring specific skills to build a coherent integration framework together."

The participants unanimously agreed on the paramount importance of generating a substantive debate capable of contributing to the AU's priorities for the year 2024. They highlighted a series of conclusions converging on the need for Africa to seize control of its destiny and achieve greater autonomy in its education system, while capitalizing on the growth opportunities emanating from its international partnerships, such as the one with the United States.