Moroccans adhere to values of peace and coexistence, Spanish official
Morocco-Regional, Culture, 9/2/2003

Executive chairman of the International University of the Youth, Angel Colom, said Moroccans totally reject violence and extremism and cling to the values of peace, openness and coexistence.

Extremism, obscurantism and ostracism are alien to the Moroccan society which has a leading experience in the Arab and Islamic world concerning the consecration of democracy and the respect of human rights, Colom said on the sidelines of the works of the University held last August 25-31 in the southern Atlantic city of Essaouira.

The Spanish official, who also serves as representative of the Catalonian government in Morocco, called European countries to back Morocco's democratic process which is heading toward "maturity and progress," recalling the call of king Mohammed VI to enhance these values in his speech on July 30 on the occasion of the throne day.

He warned against the amalgam between Islam and extremism, urging people to reflect the authentic image of this religion all over the world.

On the future of the International University of the Youth, Colom said the coming editions will involve young people from central and eastern Europe and Asia.

He added that a group of young people from Laayoune (southern Morocco) decided to organize an encounter next November to assess the results of the first edition of the International University of the Youth.

The International University of the Youth was organized at the initiative of the general secretariat of the youth of the Catalonian government in collaboration with the local authorities of Essaouira,.

The event debated several youth-related issues, notably "young people and the right to work," "dialogue between civilizations" and "the culture of peace."

The Essaouira declaration adopted at the end of debates hoped that this experience will become an annual event in order to provide a tribune for various tendencies of Moroccan and international youth.

Participants also rejected terrorism and violence and stressed that fighting the scourge of terrorism should not put into question democratic gains and aspirations.

Previous Stories:
  World Youth Congress delegation takes part in social activities in southern Morocco   (8/27/2003)
  King Mohammed calls for world strategy for young people   (8/20/2003)
  Morocco, a symbol of tolerance, solidarity, peace child international head   (8/19/2003)

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