HIBAPRESS
The president of the Association for Studies and Research for Development, Idriss El Karraoui, announced on Saturday in Bouznika that more than 90 percent of the youth in the Casablanca-Settat region consider culture to be a key driver for personal and regional development.
In a presentation of the results of a field study on the occasion of the third regional forum on “Integrating the youth of the Casablanca-Settat region through culture,” El Karraoui highlighted that "young people want to actively engage in cultural initiatives, whether as participants, creators, or promoters of cultural activities."
The president of the association pointed out that this study "enabled us to understand the practices, perceptions, and aspirations of young people in the cultural field in the region," as well as to highlight the pivotal role of culture in their social, educational, and civic integration.
He added that "the surveyed youth expressed a noticeable interest in participating in cultural activities and a clear desire to contribute effectively to the cultural dynamism in the region."
The youth also expressed clear aspirations towards public authorities, local institutions, and the private sector, El Karraoui added, clarifying that young people are primarily calling for the development and modernization of cultural infrastructure, support for artistic initiatives and creative entrepreneurship, strengthening training in cultural professions, and adopting an integrated approach that combines local, regional, and national levels.
The study also reveals the youth's willingness to play an active role in promoting cultural and creative industries, by establishing associations, organizing awareness campaigns, and participating in innovative projects.
In the same context, the study highlights a set of potential levers, including schools, families, and youth centers, as well as digital platforms and social media, which, according to El Karraoui, are suitable spaces to enhance the cultural participation of young people and encourage the emergence of creative initiatives.
For her part, the Vice-President of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council, Rakia Achmal, confirmed in a speech on the occasion that youth and cultural issues are a strategic priority for the region.
She recalled that these areas fall within the competencies assigned to the regions under Organic Law 113.14, and are also among the priorities of the Regional Development Program, with a budget of 1.695 billion dirhams for the period 2021-2025.
Achmal expressed her regret that young people, despite their demographic strength and creative capabilities, their contribution to the making of cultural policies is still weak and does not correspond to the size of ambitions and challenges related to the issue of the "Orange Economy," a sector that combines culture, creativity, and technology, which has become a strategic lever for modern economies.
She added that countries that invest in their infrastructure (education, funding, legislation) are able to create job opportunities, produce value, and build an environment that stimulates innovation.
On the other hand, she emphasized the need to consider young people as true partners in the path of change, capable of contributing to achieving a balance between culture, sustainable development, and innovation, calling for doubling efforts to enhance their participation and their role in building the future of the country.
This meeting, organized by the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council and the Association for Studies and Research for Development in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, and the Hassan II Universities of Casablanca and Hassan I of Settat and Chouaib Doukkali of El Jadida, was distinguished by the participation of academics, researchers, and students who discussed the conclusions and objectives of the study.
This study focuses on exploring young people's perceptions of culture, identifying their cultural practices, and how they evaluate public policies, and their view of cultural infrastructure and creative industries, as well as their aspirations and proposals to improve regional policies for sustainable cultural integration.
(MAP)
