Mediterranean academy opens southern branch in Marrakesh

The Mediterranean academy, based in Naples, Italy, opened on Monday its southern branch in Marrakesh to serve as a space for dialogue between Mediterranean peoples and cultures.

The Mediterranean academy was set in October 1998 in Naples upon recommendation of the 2nd Euromed's civil forum, part of the Barcelona process. It groups representatives of over 50 academies from north and south Mediterranean countries, in addition to outstanding intellectuals and scientists and Nobel peace laureates from the region.

The academy was designed as an independent moral authority and a pole of excellence that would contribute to enhancing intellectual, scientific and cultural cooperation between Mediterranean countries and people and fight fanaticism and stereotypes, which hamper mutual understanding.

The Marrakesh branch was opened in the presence of Morocco's minister of higher education, executive training and scientific research, Najib Zerouali, secretary of state for scientific research, Omar Fassi Fihri, Morocco's ambassador and permanent delegate to the UNESCO, Aziza Bennani, president of Italy's Campania region, Antonio Bassolino, general director of the academy, Michelle Capasso, and the academy secretary general, Nadir Mohamed Aziza.