Name of organization:
Chantiers Sociaux Marocains (CSM)
Description of organization:
Chantiers Sociaux Marocains (CSM) was established in 2014. The organization seeks to raise awareness of the importance of volunteering and the need to recognize and reinforce the values of citizenship. It also aims to strengthen the capacity of the population to contribute to sustainable development
Context:
In recent years, Morocco has been increasingly impacted by the large movement of migrants. This has led to a rise in racist and xenophobic incidents among Moroccan society, particularly in the small towns where populations are less exposed to intercultural engagement activities. CSM seeks to address this gap and the lack of communication between Moroccan and migrant communities, by fostering intercultural dialogue among people of different religions, origins and socio-economic backgrounds.
Proposed project and expected results:
“A Bridge to Coexistence” aims to promote the social inclusion of migrants using the arts as a vehicle to encourage intercultural understanding and collaboration. The project will be implemented through a traveling caravan that seeks to create a space of artistic expression and dialogue between Moroccans and migrant communities in five small cities of Morocco, thus breaking stereotypes and reducing xenophobic incidents. By the end of the project, CSM expects to:
- Introduce 180 young Moroccans and migrants to values of coexistence through workshops.
- Reduce prejudice in an estimated target of 400 people, towards the difference in cultures between migrant and Moroccan communities, through art exhibits, music concerts, film projections, discussions and the production of a video documenting the caravan.
- Establish a common ground of actions on promoting cultural coexistence with more than 6 local NGOs, including capacity building and planning with these NGOs on how to continue implementing intercultural activities in their communities.
Project coordinator: Youness Ben-Abbou
Contact information: csmalmadina@gmail.com