Zohour Alaoui steers UNESCO council toward inclusive education and cultural preservation

Friday 02 January 2026 - 10:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Zohour Alaoui steers UNESCO council toward inclusive education and cultural preservation

Zohour Alaoui, a prominent Moroccan figure in education and cultural advocacy, has been appointed head of the Administrative Council of the International Union of French Language Leagues (UICN) associated with UNESCO. This pivotal election, finalized in December 2025 during a session in Paris, places her in a strategic position to address pressing global challenges such as inclusive education and the safeguarding of intangible heritage. With Alaoui at the helm, the institution gains a dynamic leader whose vision aligns with UNESCO’s mission to promote linguistic diversity and equitable access to knowledge.

A transformative leader for a critical moment

Alaoui’s career has been marked by groundbreaking initiatives, including her tenure as director of international programs at Morocco’s Ministry of Education, where she championed reforms such as digital integration in rural schools. Her election reflects the growing influence of African and Arab leaders in global governance. In a world where 2.7 billion people face digital exclusion most of whom reside in Africa her expertise could drive meaningful progress in bridging the digital divide.

The timing of her appointment coincides with UNESCO’s launch of a decade-long plan emphasizing education for human rights and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to foster inclusivity. Alaoui has previously voiced her support for a digital francophonie accessible to all, particularly advocating for young girls in underserved rural regions. Her leadership comes as UNESCO recently adopted resolutions promoting gender equality and addressing the educational challenges posed by climate change and demographic pressures.

The Moroccan connection

Alaoui’s appointment also serves to elevate Morocco’s international profile. As a member of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, she has played a significant role in revising national curricula to include Arabic, French, and Amazigh languages. This aligns with her broader vision of cultural and linguistic inclusion.

Notably, her leadership could strengthen partnerships with global institutions such as the Arab World Institute in Paris and UNESCO’s Marrakech Water Center. Morocco’s ongoing celebration of the 20th anniversary of its National Education Charter further underscores the country’s commitment to educational reform, a cause Alaoui has long championed.

Bridging education, culture, and technology

Alaoui’s tenure coincides with global calls to address educational inequities through innovative solutions. For instance, her recent push for expanding massive open online courses (MOOCs) in francophone countries highlights the potential of digital tools to democratize education. During a January 2026 conference, she emphasized the urgency of training 10 million teachers by 2030, a goal aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4).

Her proactive approach contrasts with the geopolitical and environmental crises that threaten educational access, particularly in conflict-affected regions like the Sahel. Under her leadership, the UICN UNESCO could accelerate initiatives like "Living Heritage 2.0," a project focused on digitizing oral traditions from the Maghreb. Such efforts aim to counteract the alarming prediction that 40% of the world’s languages could vanish by 2100.

A renewed vision for francophonie

With Alaoui at the helm, the UICN UNESCO is poised to become a hub for innovation in education and culture. Her plans include forging alliances with technology giants to create free educational platforms, inspired by Morocco’s successful "Digital School" initiative. Additionally, her advocacy for intangible cultural heritage, such as Gnawa music and Hassani oral storytelling, could solidify the institution’s role as a leader in cultural preservation.

Her leadership is not merely symbolic; it represents a tangible shift toward inclusivity and resilience in education and culture. As the world looks to the UICN’s upcoming General Assembly in Dakar in May 2026, expectations are high for Alaoui to deliver on her vision. Her tenure underscores the vital role of education in uniting diverse communities and addressing global challenges.