Salé: Alumni Summit Celebrates Two and a Half Centuries of Moroccan-American Friendship

Bringing together institutional representatives from both countries alongside more than 300 Moroccan alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, the event shed light on the key milestones of a relationship built on shared values and common aspirations.

The Alumni Summit also underscored the impact of American exchange programs, which have now surpassed the symbolic threshold of 10,000 Moroccan beneficiaries.

In a speech read on his behalf at the opening of the meeting by the Acting Secretary General of the Department of Youth, Moustapha Messoudi, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, stressed the depth and singularity of Moroccan-American friendship.

The minister praised a historic relationship founded on shared values and common aspirations, one that transcends time and international circumstances.

Recalling that Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States, Mr. Bensaid emphasized the visionary nature of this relationship, exceptional for its longevity and consistency. “We share our common values, just as we share, in equality and respect, our differences. And the Atlantic Ocean, this bridge that connects us, embodies our aspiration: to build a world of peace and prosperity, founded on tolerance, cultural diversity, innovation and creativity,” he said.

For his part, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, Benjamin Ziff, highlighted the positive momentum and strength of relations between his country and the Kingdom. He recalled that the Alumni Summit is being held both as part of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of American independence and within the framework of the Moroccan-American strategic partnership, which he said is set to grow even stronger.

Mr. Ziff noted that the event offers a unique opportunity to pay tribute to Moroccan talent, a key pillar of cooperation between the two countries. The presence of professionals representing sectors such as technology, finance, business and entrepreneurship illustrates the richness of Moroccan human capital, which actively contributes to the development of Moroccan-American ties, he stressed.

Ahlam Karaoui, a graduate of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD), welcomed the impact of her stay in the United States on her professional career. The skills she acquired, particularly in communication, public relations and networking, enabled her to secure her first job upon returning to Morocco, she said.

Graciella Martin, an American participant in the National Security Language Initiative for Youth program, focused on learning the Arabic language, also highlighted the importance of the initiative. She said it profoundly changed her perception of the world, allowing her to overcome language barriers and discover Moroccan and Arab-Muslim culture.

The Alumni Summit was marked by the presentation of the Dominique Benbrahim Alumni Awards to former participants in U.S. exchange programs, in recognition of their leadership, the excellence of their careers and their commitment to strengthening Moroccan-American cooperation.

Ismail Douiri, Co-CEO and Chief Executive Officer of Attijariwafa Bank Group, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lamiae Benmakhlouf, CEO of Technopark Morocco, was honored with the Emerging Leader Award, while Abdelhakim Zerrouk of the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior received the Meritorious Contribution Award.

This edition of the Alumni Summit featured panel discussions, interactive workshops and an exhibition dedicated to innovation, along with networking sessions focusing on climate change, artificial intelligence, the fight against disinformation and the social impact of exchange programs.

Editorial team/le7tv