Casablanca Welcomes the First African Volunteer Forum
From April 21 to April 24, 2026, Casablanca will serve as the venue for the inaugural African Forum for Civil Society Organizations, organized by the Moroccan Center for Volunteering and Citizenship. This groundbreaking event is centered on the theme of volunteering as a catalyst for integration and rapprochement among African peoples. The forum aims to unite various stakeholders from across the continent, fostering dialogue and collaboration on critical issues concerning human development and social cohesion.
Championing Volunteering as a Driver of Development
The organizers of the forum emphasize its role as a strategic dialogue platform and a space for sharing experiences. Their objective is to bolster the culture of volunteering across Africa by highlighting its significance in promoting human development and social integration. Mohamed El Ousfour, the president of the Moroccan Center for Volunteering and Citizenship, notes that this initiative presents an opportunity to identify new mechanisms that can structure and enhance voluntary actions across the continent.
Moreover, the event aligns with Morocco's ongoing commitment to African solidarity. Khalil Benabdellah, the vice-president of the Center, points out that Morocco has actively engaged in cooperative initiatives with its African partners, particularly through humanitarian efforts, the establishment of field hospitals, and the distribution of vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic. The forum is set to build on this momentum, facilitating concrete synergies among volunteer stakeholders.
Participants will engage in discussions on pressing issues such as sustainable development, economic resilience, and social cohesion. Delegations from various countries, including Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tunisia, and Egypt, are expected to share best practices and develop sustainable partnerships. At the conclusion of the forum, attendees are anticipated to adopt the "Casablanca Declaration," a pivotal document aimed at enhancing African cooperation in volunteering, potentially paving the way for the establishment of an African Union for Volunteering, which would signify a significant step toward a more structured approach to civic engagement across the continent.
As reported by quid.ma.
