فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a distinguished cultural and intellectual evening, the new Youth Center in Tahla hosted on Friday, July 11, 2025, a significant seminar organized by the Afak Association for Culture, Education, and Art. The seminar focused on the growing roles of civil society and its pivotal contributions to building and developing the cultural industry in Morocco. The event featured a distinguished panel of professors, researchers, and civil society activists who enriched the discussion with depth and insight.
The session was skillfully moderated by Dr. Abdelwahid Boubraya, who facilitated a dynamic dialogue between the speakers and the audience, highlighting the importance of the topic amid Morocco’s ongoing social and cultural transformations.
The opening presentation was delivered by Dr. Idriss Al-Sanhaji, a sociology professor, titled “Civil Society and Cultural Transformation in Morocco.” He examined the new dynamics shaping the Moroccan cultural landscape, emphasizing the role of civil actors in shaping cultural awareness and guiding societal changes. He noted that civil society’s role extends beyond traditional charitable work to influencing cultural policies at the national level.
Following him, Professor and community activist Abdellah Boularbah presented on “The Role of Civil Society in Cultural Development in the Tahla Region.” Drawing from his extensive field experience, he reviewed the realities and challenges of local associative work, calling for concerted efforts among local stakeholders to play a pioneering role in fostering sustainable cultural development inspired by the richness of local heritage and responsive to community aspirations.
The final presentation was given by Dr. Abdelhaq Abouda, a social linguistics professor, who sparked an in-depth discussion on “Cultural Heritage Between Popular Custodianship and the Intellectual Elite’s Stance.” He explored the sometimes fluctuating relationship between popular culture, which preserves tangible and intangible heritage, and intellectual elites, questioning ways to build strong bridges that safeguard and academically and creatively valorize this heritage without condescension or devaluation.
The seminar witnessed lively interaction from an audience comprising civil society representatives, intellectuals, and youth, who contributed questions and remarks underscoring the importance of such forums in fostering cultural awareness as a fundamental driver for sustainable development.
This seminar is part of a series of activities regularly organized by the Afak Association for Culture, Education, and Art, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to promoting critical thinking and constructive dialogue on vital issues concerning local and national affairs.
