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| Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Morocco) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication |
| Native name | Ministère de la Jeunesse, de la Culture et de la Communication |
| Formed | 1990s (contemporary configuration) |
| Jurisdiction | Kingdom of Morocco |
| Headquarters | Rabat |
| Minister | (varies) |
| Website | (official) |
Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Morocco) is the Moroccan cabinet institution charged with oversight of youth affairs, cultural heritage, and media policy within the Kingdom of Morocco. The ministry interfaces with national actors such as the Royal Palace, the Parliament of Morocco, and regional councils while coordinating with international bodies including UNESCO and the European Union. Its portfolio spans cultural preservation, media regulation, youth development, and communication infrastructure, impacting cities like Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier.
The ministry's antecedents trace to postcolonial reforms during the reign of Mohammed V and the modernization efforts under Hassan II, with later reorganizations influenced by administrations of Abdelilah Benkirane and Saadeddine Othmani. Institutional milestones intersect with events such as the 1975 Green March, the 1999 Casablanca bombings aftermath reforms, and the 2011 Moroccan constitutional referendum which redefined ministerial roles. Cultural policy evolution involved collaboration with figures like André Azoulay, organizations such as the Institut Royal de la Culture Amazighe, and frameworks including the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Media and communication regulation drew on precedents from the Haouz earthquake recovery communications and the liberalization policies during the tenure of Abderrahmane Youssoufi and Driss Basri-era administrations. International agreements like the Barcelona Process and the European Neighbourhood Policy influenced programming, while cultural diplomacy engaged with institutions such as the British Council, the Institut Français, and the Goethe-Institut.
The ministry's remit includes protection of sites registered under UNESCO World Heritage, stewardship of archives like the Hassan II Library, and promotion of artistic sectors represented by entities such as the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre and the Royal Academy of Moroccan Music. It administers youth policies aligned with agencies like the United Nations Population Fund and implements media oversight mechanisms interacting with broadcasters such as SNRT and regulatory counterparts including the Conseil National de la Communication Audiovisuelle. Cultural heritage programs coordinate with museums such as the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, preservation projects in Volubilis and Mogador (Essaouira), and festivals such as the Festival Mawazine, Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, and Gnaoua World Music Festival.
The ministry comprises directorates modeled on administrative structures present in ministries overseen by Moroccan cabinets including the Ministry of Interior (Morocco), Ministry of Culture (other nations), and the Ministry of Youth (Tunisia). Key divisions include departments for cultural heritage, audiovisual regulation, youth affairs, and communication technology, each coordinating with regional directorates in prefectures like Casablanca-Settat and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra. Leadership roles have been held by ministers who served in cabinets under prime ministers such as Abdelilah Benkirane, El Othmani (Saadeddine Othmani), and Aziz Akhannouch; senior civil servants liaise with institutions like the Hassan II Foundation and consultancies linked to entities such as World Bank and African Development Bank.
Notable initiatives include restoration projects at El Badi Palace, digitization efforts for archives in partnership with Bibliothèque Nationale du Royaume du Maroc, youth empowerment schemes influenced by models from United Nations Development Programme and European Union youth programs, and media literacy campaigns referencing UNESCO guidelines. The ministry supports film through cooperation with the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre and festivals like Tangier International Film Festival, cultural entrepreneurship incubators linked to Al Akhawayn University, and heritage education programs involving the National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage. Community outreach leverages events such as International Youth Day, collaborations with YOUNGO, and exchanges with the African Union cultural initiatives.
Funding streams derive from national budgets approved by the House of Representatives (Morocco), allocations debated in the House of Councillors (Morocco), and project financing augmented by multilateral donors like the European Investment Bank, UNESCO, and bilateral partners such as France and United States Agency for International Development. Expenditure priorities include conservation at Kasbah of the Udayas, grants to cultural operators like the Dar Si Said Museum, support for broadcasters including SNRT affiliates, and youth programs coordinated with Ministry of Education (Morocco) initiatives. Audits may involve the Court of Auditors (Morocco) and external evaluation by organizations such as Transparency International.
The ministry partners with UNESCO on heritage listing and capacity building, with the European Union on cultural enterprises, and with the African Union on pan-African cultural policies. Bilateral cooperation includes accords with the Kingdom of Spain, Republic of France, Kingdom of Belgium, and cultural institutions such as the British Museum and the Louvre Museum for exhibitions and conservation training. It engages with global media bodies including the International Telecommunication Union and the World Press Freedom Committee to address regulatory and press freedom concerns, while youth exchanges involve networks like Commonwealth Youth Council and UNICEF.
Critiques have arisen over cultural funding allocation debates similar to controversies in administrations like those of Mohammed VI and institutional transparency concerns raised by civil society groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Contentious issues include media licensing disputes resonant with cases involving 2M and allegations regarding censorship debated in forums such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as heritage conservation controversies in sites like Marrakech Medina where developers and preservationists have clashed. Youth policy criticisms reference unemployment challenges documented by High Commission for Planning (Morocco) and debates over the effectiveness of programs modeled on World Bank recommendations. Allegations of mismanagement have prompted parliamentary questions in sessions of the Parliament of Morocco and scrutiny from watchdogs like Transparency Maroc.
Category:Government ministries of Morocco Category:Culture of Morocco Category:Youth organizations in Morocco