In 2017, WFD launched a new two-year programme in Morocco, funded by the British Embassy to promote inclusive and responsive governance in the Moroccan Parliament. This programme runs parallel to ongoing work with the House of Representatives (2016-2021) and House of Councillors (2016-2020).
In response to the protests of the Arab Spring, the King of Morocco introduced a new constitution in 2011. The new constitution strengthens the Parliament’s legislative role, and establishes the principle of gender equality. Both Houses of Parliament have developed Strategic Plans, setting out a roadmap to enact their new powers as set out in the constitution. Since 2011, WFD has been working with the Parliament to deliver on these commitments.
WFD is training MPs and parliamentary staff, to improve the effectiveness of committees and the quality of the laws they produce. In the long term, this programme sets out to make the Moroccan Parliament more representative, and more effective in holding the Government to account.
Since March 2016, WFD has also been involved in a European Union Twinning programme to support the Moroccan House of Representatives meet the commitments in the 2011 constitution. The programme brings together expertise from the French National Assembly and the House of Commons coordinated by WFD. To date, the programme has contributed to the adoption of a new law to introduce public petitions, and the development of research and library management procedures.
WFD is seeking an International Research Co-ordinator to work with a Local Organisation to undertake a research project on Political Trust in Morocco. The primary objective of the Project is to better explain the low levels of trust that Moroccans report in their parliament, relative to other political institutions. The aim of this project is […]
Right before the pandemic closed the airways, in February this year, I had the privilege of speaking at an event hosted by the House of Representatives to discuss the work of their Petitions Committee. The event was attended by the Speaker, parliamentarians and a wide range of civil society organisations and diplomatic agencies eager to […]
Open parliaments are the cornerstones of democracy. They represent people’s voices, pass laws and oversee governments’ actions. Opening parliaments has many benefits including effective outcomes in key policy areas, better quality legislation and most importantly improved trust relationships between citizens and the parliament. Morocco officially joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2018. The House […]
