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![\"Charlotte](\"http:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/mohn-centre\/files\/2024\/09\/Hassan-Tower-scaled-e1727166423312-292x300.jpeg\")
Visiting Morocco has always been on a list of countries I hoped to visit, with its vibrant culture, colourful pottery, and of course the delicious food! This year, I had the extraordinary opportunity to not only visit but participate in a significant event that celebrates the curiosity and creativity of young minds – the 17th annual festival of Scientific Leisure hosted by the Association Marocaine des Petits D\u00e9brouillards (AMPD).<\/figure>\nI was fortunate to meet AMPD colleagues through one of the Mohn Centre\u2019s community partners, the Harrow Club which supports young people in North West London. Together these organisations are working to set up an exchange programme for young people in Rabat and London.<\/p>\n
While over there I was fortunate to see some of the city\u2019s sights and monuments though a guided tour by one of the youth workers in Rabat as well as meeting colleagues at British Council Morocco. I was also able to visit some of the institutions which support young people. One organisation which resonated with me was the Al Amal Association\u2019s socio-educational support complex in Sal\u00e9 which supports young people in unstable situations in innovative ways. The organisation is committed to breaking the cycle of social and economic exclusion. It gives these children and young people a home and the opportunity to learn new life skills to reintegrate into family and social environments. Programmes are vast and focus on different professions to teach skills such as hairdressing, patisserie, mechanics and entrepreneurship. The innovation and level of care that goes into these approaches was amazing to see.<\/p>\n
The festival itself was a spectacular gathering that brought together young people from across Morocco to engage in scientific experiments, hands-on activities, and interactive workshops. The importance of such events cannot be overstated. They provide a platform for young individuals who may not usually have this opportunity to experience the excitement of discovery and the thrill of scientific inquiry, something we also pride ourselves on at Imperial through the work of the Invention Rooms and Great Exhibition Road Festival. \u00a0Witnessing the enthusiasm and seeing young faces light up with curiosity was truly inspiring.<\/p>\n
One of the highlights of my visit was participating in a panel discussion where I had the privilege to share insights from the work of the Mohn Centre. Our discussion focused on public health issues affecting young people in London, drawing parallels and contrasts with the situation in Morocco.<\/p>\n
It was invigorating speaking with the young people working with the AMPD. They all spoke with such passion and motivation to improve the lives of young people growing up in both cities and rural areas of Morocco. We delved into various topics, including mental health, access to health care, environment and sustainability, education and the importance of creating supportive environments for young people. It was an enriching experience to exchange ideas and learn about the unique challenges and innovative solutions being implemented in their communities.<\/p>\n
Beyond the discussions and experiments, we embarked on a creative project with Moroccan young people and professionals. Together, we created a video capturing the most pressing topics impacting young people’s lives in Morocco today.<\/p>\n