Peace Education: Rabat Hosts the First Assembly of the Moroccan House for Peace
Rabat, March 4, 2026 – In a world marked by tensions and misunderstandings, the House of Morocco for Peace and Tolerance convened on Wednesday at the Story le Carrousel Hotel in Rabat, bringing together intellectuals, artists, and civil society actors from across the Kingdom for its inaugural annual assembly dedicated to education for peace. This hopeful initiative places dialogue and respect for diversity at the core of responses to contemporary challenges.
A Mobilization with Many Faces
By 5 PM, the ambiance of the venue already reflected the ambition of this gathering: to create a space for convergence among different sensitivities, cultures, and religions. Participants, hailing from Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, and other cities in Morocco, gradually filled the venue, bringing with them the richness of their experiences and commitments.
This multifaceted presence aligns perfectly with the spirit of the gathering: to make culture, art, and education essential vectors for social transformation and the promotion of coexistence.
A Shared Iftar
At 6 PM, participants were welcomed with an iftar, the meal that breaks the fast, which, beyond its religious significance, symbolized the values of sharing and brotherhood cherished by the organizers. Gathered around the tables, academics, institutional leaders, educators, and activists exchanged ideas in a warm atmosphere of conviviality.
Once the sharing moment concluded, all participants gathered for a roundtable to commence the official proceedings of this inaugural assembly. The diversity of the attendees attested to the scale of the mobilization: representatives from various faith backgrounds, youth-focused NGOs, and researchers specializing in conflict resolution, all brought together by a shared conviction. Among the notable figures was Mustapha El Bakkouri, mayor of Tetouan, along with his deputy Anas Mellahi, underscoring the commitment of local authorities to this quest for peace. In the face of ambiguities and identity retreats, all shared a common certainty: only education and dialogue can open sustainable perspectives.
A Conference Rich in Contributions
The conference began with remarks from Miloud Loukili, a professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat, who expertly moderated the assembly. After outlining the objectives of this founding meeting, he handed the floor to Abdellah Ouzitane, co-organizer and founding president of the Center for Studies and Research on Jewish Culture and Law in Morocco.
Mr. Ouzitane emphasized the importance of the Judeo-Moroccan heritage as the foundation of the country’s historical tolerance. “Morocco has always been a land of coexistence. Our responsibility today is to pass on this living memory to new generations,” he asserted.
Farid El Bacha, founding president of the House of Morocco for Peace, then spoke to share the vision driving this initiative. “Peace is not decreed; it is built, day after day, through education, dialogue, and recognition of others,” he stated.
Steven Höfner, the resident representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a key partner in this initiative, underscored the international dimension of these issues. “Education for peace is not a luxury; it is a necessity in a world where misunderstandings multiply. Morocco, given its history and geographic position, has a crucial role to play in promoting these values.”
Mr. El Bacha then introduced a distinguished guest: Mr. Sidi Khalifa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Mauritania and a former ambassador, who delivered a notable intervention on the theme of peace, bringing an African regional perspective to the debates. His testimony broadened the discussion beyond Moroccan borders, reminding attendees that the issues of coexistence and dialogue transcend national lines.
“Schoolchildren of Peace”: A Message of Hope
The screening of the institutional film “Schoolchildren of Peace” was a highlight of the evening. This documentary showcases innovative educational initiatives for peace and included a video message from André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the founding president of the Essaouira-Mogador Association.
In this filmed address, a respected figure in intercultural dialogue both in Morocco and internationally, Mr. Azoulay delivered a dense and inspiring message, drawing on the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who asserts that “the solution to our societies’ threats is neither military nor financial; it has only one name: education. My plea for education is a indictment against ignorance.”
A Roadmap for 2026
Beyond the speeches, the gathering also aimed to outline concrete perspectives. The presentation of the roadmap for 2026 allowed participants to discuss the actions to be taken: educational programs in schools, teacher training, awareness workshops in neighborhoods, partnerships with cultural and religious institutions.
Abdellah Ouzitane announced a launch event scheduled for late March 2026 in Essaouira, marking the start of a regional rollout of the initiative. This participatory phase revealed the enthusiasm of grassroots actors eager to translate broad principles into tangible actions.
Several proposals emerged, including the creation of a national network of peace educators, the establishment of accredited training programs, and the organization of intercultural meetings between youth from different regions of Morocco.
A Musical Moment and the Artistic Revelation of Ghita
Before concluding the proceedings, the assembly shared a memorable artistic moment with beautiful songs performed by one of the participants. This musical interlude allowed attendees to connect in a moment of shared conviviality, reminding everyone that peace is also nourished by emotions, beauty, and creativity.
The most moving moment of the evening arguably came during the presentation of Ghita’s artwork, a young artist who captivated the audience with her energetic presentation. Her pencil drawing illustrates peace through the ages with an evocative composition that intertwines historical buildings, symbolic figures, and a dove that cannot fly, powerfully metaphoring the constraints still weighing on peace today.
Ghita presented her work with infectious energy and passion, instilling genuine hope in the audience. Her presence and commitment reflect the awareness of younger generations regarding the value of peace and the importance of preserving it. As several participants noted, witnessing a young artist approach this universal theme with such maturity and sensitivity is, in itself, a message of optimism for the future.
Toward the Next Step in Tangier and Essaouira
Leaving the Story le Carrousel Hotel, participants took away much more than ideas: a collective energy, the belief that change is possible, and above all, a network of allies determined to make education for peace a daily reality.
This inaugural annual assembly marks the beginning of a cycle of initiatives that the House of Morocco for Peace and Tolerance intends to sustain. As announced by Miloud Loukili, the assembly’s moderator, the next meeting is already planned for Tangier, continuing the momentum established in Rabat and reaching out to other regions of the Kingdom.
By selecting education for peace as a starting point, the organizers have laid a solid foundation. As highlighted by UNESCO, whose efforts in peace education were praised during the gathering, it is through the transmission of values of respect, mutual understanding, and the rejection of violence that resilient societies are built.
In a Morocco that asserts itself as a land of dialogue and tolerance, in line with the royal vision, this assembly demonstrated that beyond differences in culture, religion, or geographic origin, a strong consensus can be built around universal values. The road is long, but as evidenced by the smiling and determined faces from the evening of March 4, the will is present, and Tangier will be the next witness to this commitment.
To Know
The House of Morocco for Peace and Tolerance is an initiative supported by several partner organizations, including the Essaouira-Mogador Association, the Center for Studies and Research on Jewish Culture and Law in Morocco (Bayt Dakira), and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Its goal is to promote a culture of peace, intercultural dialogue, and cohabitation in Morocco and beyond.
Notable presence from Tetouan: Mustapha El Bakkouri, the mayor of Tetouan, and his deputy Anas Mellahi traveled from Tetouan to attend this assembly, reflecting the commitment of northern cities to promote peace and dialogue.
Academic synergies: The House of Morocco for Peace collaborates closely with the International University of Culture and Heritage Tétouan-Essaouira, presided over by André Azoulay, in the context of associative partnerships aimed at developing educational programs around peace and coexistence.
