Aid and Relief Association Organizes National Symposium on “Social Protection Programs and the Harmonious Society”

Tangier, Morocco – In its continuous pursuit to strengthen the values of community solidarity and highlight the pivotal roles of various actors in Morocco’s social protection initiative, the Aid and Relief Association hosted an important national symposium on Friday, July 18, 2025, titled “Social Protection Programs in Morocco and the Harmonious Society.” The symposium took place at the Hassouna Youth House Reception Center in Tangier and saw a notable attendance of leading academics and specialists, as well as representatives from civil society organizations from Tangier and other cities.

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Rich Interventions Outline Effective Solidarity

The symposium featured a series of valuable interventions that enriched the discussion and addressed multiple aspects of solidarity and social protection issues:

Dr. Omar Tijani, Professor of Economics, Coordinator of the Human Resources Master’s Program, and a member of the Aid and Relief Association, opened the interventions with a comprehensive definition of solidarity, emphasizing its deep roots in social and religious values, especially Islamic teachings that advocate for mutual support and interdependence. Dr. Tijani linked the sense of social security to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, stressing that living stability is an essential condition for building a harmonious society. He also warned against the impact of the global trend towards a welfare economy and the potential risks it poses to marginalizing the role of the local community, calling for the capitalization of civil society experiences and benefiting from them.

Professor Mohamed Hamdaoui, Head of the Health Compensation Department, provided an analytical perspective distinguishing between institutional social protection provided by the state and community support mechanisms undertaken by civil society. Professor Hamdaoui reviewed various government programs, noting limitations in the involvement of families and civil society in their design and implementation, despite their pivotal roles, especially in the health sector. He also pointed out that community culture is intertwined with solidarity, but it faces institutional weakness due to declining trust between citizens and government programs, especially with the increasing use of digital technology.

Dr. Jamila Ammari, President of the Moroccan Forum for Legal Research, praised the symposium’s topic, expressing pride in the features of social solidarity that became evident during crises and calamities, citing the remarkable Moroccan response after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Al-Haouz earthquake. Dr. Ammari discussed the effectiveness of social protection programs in achieving social justice, criticizing the lack of institutional continuity in addressing this vital initiative, where previous experiences and strategies are often ignored with every governmental or electoral change. She emphasized the importance of involving organic structures of society (family, neighborhood, village, etc.) and civil society organizations to enrich these programs through a participatory approach.

Dr. Nadia Nahli, a specialist in social law, enriched the discussion with her extensive experience in organizing and writing numerous related symposia. Dr. Nahli highlighted the reality and aspirations of the social protection initiative, considering civil society the most capable actor in ensuring the continuity of solidarity within society. She called for its integration into official social protection procedures as an institutional actor, not a secondary interlocutor. She also warned that the gap in solidarity among different components widens with increasing digitalization, which could lead to practices of favoritism and a lack of social justice.

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Concluding Remarks by the President of Aid and Reelief Association: Appreciation for Efforts and Affirmation of Solidarity

At the conclusion of the “Social Protection Programs in Morocco and the Harmonious Society” symposium, Mr. Nour Eddine Bensbih El Amrani, President of the Aid and Relief Association, delivered a heartfelt closing speech, welcoming the distinguished attendees and expressing his deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this valuable symposium. Mr. El Amrani considered the significant attendance clear evidence of shared interest in the concerns of vulnerable groups that associations generally work to serve and support.

The association’s president also commended the valuable contributions of the speakers in the symposium, praising their rich theses that enriched the discussion and added new dimensions to the topic. He also acknowledged the skillful media moderation of the symposium by Manal Rkiwak for her excellent management of the sessions. In a gesture of appreciation, the association presented commemorative shields to the speakers, amidst applause from the attendees who positively engaged with the discussions and contributed to their enrichment.

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Audience Interaction: Calls to Overcome Imbalances

The symposium witnessed positive and distinctive interaction from representatives of civil society organizations in Tangier, who expressed great interest in the topic and praised the quality of the interventions and the timeliness of the discussion. Most of their interventions focused on the imbalances affecting government programs, especially concerning health coverage, with some pointing to fluctuating indicators and a lack of fairness in access to social and health services.

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Concluding Recommendations: A Comprehensive Vision for the Future of Social Protection

The symposium concluded with a set of important recommendations that reflect the participants’ consensus on the need for a shift in the approach to social protection:

• The necessity of integrating organic community structures into the planning and implementation of social protection programs.
• Strengthening the role of civil society as a true partner rather than a mere complement in the social protection initiative.
• Adopting an accumulative approach in shaping social policies, moving away from a logic of discontinuity with previous experiences.
• Supporting local initiatives that promote values of cooperation and community solidarity.

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Building a Harmonious Society: A Shared Responsibility

The symposium emphasized that achieving a harmonious society cannot be accomplished solely through state intervention but requires activating the roles of civil society, strengthening traditional community ties, and adopting a holistic and participatory approach that integrates all components of society. This integrated vision is the path to ensuring sustainable and just social protection in Morocco.