Launched in 2021 by the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), the “Parlons Développement” initiative has organized 24 editions across 23 cities, bringing together more than 40,000 young people, 29 partners, and roughly 100 experts, according to a newly published article by the World Bank.
Origins and Evolution of the Youth Dialogue Platform
The initiative was conceived in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic to foster a culture of dialogue around sustainable development within universities and civil society organizations (CSOs). The goal is to allow Moroccan youth to contribute to discussions on sustainable development and post-Covid recovery by referencing the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Morocco’s New Development Model. Five years after its launch, the program has expanded beyond traditional urban centers like Rabat and Casablanca to reach regions nationwide.
Regional locations that have hosted sessions include Oujda, Errachidia, Meknès, Fès, Ifrane, Tétouan, Agadir, Marrakech, Khouribga, and Béni Mellal. According to the organizing institutions, reaching out to these diverse areas ensures that debates reflect local realities and priorities rather than staying confined to major metropolitan hubs.
Did You Know? The “Parlons Développement” initiative has successfully reached over 40,000 young participants and engaged 29 distinct public and private university and civil society partners across its 24 organized editions.
Core Themes and Intergenerational Collaboration
Employment and employability serve as central themes for the dialogues. Discussions address green jobs, entrepreneurship as an alternative to traditional employment, the alignment between youth aspirations and labor market needs, and the role of local territories in job creation. Other core topics include territorial innovation, the development of oases, water management, and citizenship education.
The steering committee—formed by the World Bank, UNDP, and PCNS—partners strategically with national universities and CSOs for each event. These partnerships guarantee the neutrality of debates, as themes are selected jointly to match regional characteristics. The format places young participants on equal footing with institutional, private sector, academic, and civil society experts, creating an intergenerational dialogue where status is superseded by the exchange of ideas.
Future Outlook and Community Building
Looking ahead, organizers intend to prolong the reflections and discussions initiated with young participants, fostering the growth of new expert networks in Morocco. The program format continues to evolve to encourage deeper interactivity, equipping youth for increasingly demanding debates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the primary organizers of “Parlons Développement”?
The initiative is organized collectively by the World Bank, the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
What geographic areas does the initiative target?
The program specifically operates outside the traditional Casablanca-Rabat axis, hosting events in cities across various regions such as Oujda, Errachidia, Meknès, Fès, Ifrane, Tétouan, Agadir, Marrakech, Khouribga, and Béni Mellal.
What subjects are prioritized during the sessions?
Discussions focus on key sustainable development topics, with employment and employability serving as central themes, alongside water management, territorial innovation, oases development, and citizenship education.
What specific local development issues matter most to young participants in your region?
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