The April Seminars (part two)

April Seminars 2006

This year’s theme was “Collaborative Relationships in Public Diplomacy. Speakers for the April 14 seminar were:

--retired career ambassador Thomas Pickering, and currently vice president for international relations at Boeing International, who gave his views on the nuclear stand-off with Iran; the Iraq war; and Arab-Israeli negotiations;

-- The Moroccan Minister for Social Development, the Family, and Solidarity, Dr. Abderrahim Harouchi who outlined the goals of King Mohamed VI’s Human Development Initiative that calls for an allocation of 5 billion dollars for social, educational, and infrastructure improvements in rural areas of

Morocco

.

--The Director of the UN Office for West Africa and Special Assistant Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mohamed Rhazaoui, who reviewed the history of economic development in Morocco stressing the importance of moving forward with a macro-economic development plan;

--The Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Baltimore, Brooks Royster, who gave a presentation on “Multi-niche Port Developments in a Container Port World”

--The President of the TANMED port, Said Elhadi who commented on the time table for completion of this gigantic port project, the largest development project in

Morocco

, as well as its impact on the north.

The April 14 seminar culminated in the signature of a port partnership agreement between Baltimore port and the Moroccan TANMED port.

American Ambassador, Thomas T. Riley, attended along with Dr. Evelyn Early, head of Public Affairs. The senior governor of Tangier region was present for the opening and

Morocco

's Minister of Planning sent a delegation from Rabat. The second seminar the following day featured several experts who explained the historical and commercial significance of the Grand Socco. The architect responsible for ongoing renovations in the Grand Socco spoke about his design for preserving the character of the area while making it attractive to tourists. (The Grand Socco was renamed, the Place April 9 Square to commemorate Mohamed V’s speech at this location in April 1947 in which he called for an end to the Spanish and French protectorates)

April Seminars 2007

April Seminars: The seventh edition of the two day April Seminars took place at TALM, April 05-06 under the patronage of His Majesty, Mohammed VI and the direction of TALMS president, Dr. I. William Zartman. (These April Seminars are held each year in collaboration with the Moroccan NGO, The Tangier Medina Foundation that is headquartered at TALM) The topics for this year’s Seminars were: Morocco and the Millennium Challenge Account, and on the second day The Port of Tangier in the 21^st Century:Projects and Perspectives. This year TALMS received financial support from three TALMS members: Richard McConn (Mintex Inc. International); the Honorable Edward A.Gabriel (The Moroccan American Center); and W. Russell Pickering (The Near Eastern Art Research Center). The Moroccan Phosphate Office (OCP) also provided funding.

Speakers for the Millennium Challenge Account were Mohamed Chafiki from the Moroccan Ministry of Finance and Muneera Salem-Murdock from the Millennium Challenge Corporation office in Rabat. (

Morocco

is eligible for MCA funding) Mr. Chafiki explained the development priorities of the Moroccan government that are concentrating on developing human resources in the rural sector.

The first seminar ended with a Power Point presentation by Tangier Medina Foundation president, Hanae Bekkari suggesting ideas for integrating Tangier’s cultural heritage sites into a comprehensive urban renewal program aimed at attracting visitors to this second oldest city on the African continent. (Tangier is a candidate for the 2012 World Exposition).

The second day’s seminar featured : Albert M. Copp, former President of the Charles Center Inner Harbor Management Inc,(the developer of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor complex); Dr. Theodore Smith, President of the American Trade and Investment Council; and Thomas Ito, from Gensler Associates, a prominent architectural firm involved in port design. They explained how harbor development can assist with urban economic revival and increased tourism. The Seminars received excellent press coverage. (See below)

Left to right: Albert M. Copp, Dr. Theodore Smith, and Thomas Ito

A representative from the Tangier-Mediterranean Ports Corporation (TMSA) outlined prospects for regional economic development resulting from the multi-billion dollar port complex nearing completion 30 miles from Tangier. The seminar concluded with lunch hosted by TMSA and a visit to the new port which had just received five enormous cranes from

China

. (See photo below)

April Seminars 2008

For the April Seminars 2008, TALIM decided to host an all-day session of the 10 member Moroccan American Commission for Cultural and Educational Exchange (MACECE or Fulbright) . Participants included: several deans from Moroccan universities, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, and American business persons with long experience in

Morocco

. In addition to a review of the various Fulbright scholar programs, we discussed the human resource challenges facing

Morocco

—especially the Tangier region where new industries will need tens of thousands of middle managers and technicians in the coming years. Fulbright board members visited the new port on the Mediterranean 30 miles from Tangier and a plant in the custom-free zone near Tangier whose manager, Julianne Furman, is a member of the Fulbright Commission.