INAUGURATION OF THE CENTRE FOR SAHARAN STUDIES
The Centre for Saharan Studies will be inaugurated on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 5 p.m., at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities-University Mohamed V-Agdal, in Al Irfane, Rabat.The Centre was created at the initiative of the Faculty of Arts, the National Human Rights Council, the Agency for the Promotion and Economic/Social Development of the Southern Provinces (of the Kingdom of Morocco) and the Moroccan national phosphates corporate (OCP). It aims to encourage scientific research on Sahara related issues. It will thus contribute to preserving memory, conducting applied research and laying the foundations of a scientific and serene debate.
The Centre is also created in implementation of the provisions of the new constitution aiming to promote and preserve the Moroccan pluralistic cultural identity, including the Hassani component.
This new research institution will conduct multidisciplinary researches in the historical, social and cultural areas in the southern provinces. It will encourage development research in partnership with local and international stakeholders. It will tackle issues related to all relevant areas in order to contribute to the development and promotion of the southern provinces.
The Center aims to be a center of excellence for Saharan studies to conduct socio-economic and environmental studies for the public and private sectors. It will have a database and an audiovisual documentation center relating to the southern provinces.
It also aims to strengthen cooperation between national and international research centers working in the southern provinces and publish printed and e-books and audiovisual products (CDs, DVDs, documentaries ...).
The Centre will be particularly oriented towards the regions of Guelmim-Essmara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra and Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira. But it will be open to the neighboring Saharan and pre-Saharan regions.