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COPYRIGHT 2006 Professors World Peace Academy
The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), the multibillion-dollar U.S. foreign development assistance program, and the Moroccan government have not yet agreed on what projects to support to advance Morocco's economic development. As a consequence, Morocco will not receive $750 million in development assistance from the fund this year. New proposals are being developed and discussions among American and Moroccan officials will take place over the coming months. Most observers agree, myself included, that MCA funds can generate maximum benefits for the Moroccan people if they are used to support local community development in partnership with Morocco's National Initiative for Human Development (NIHD).
Launched in May 2005 by Morocco's King Mohammed VI, the NIHD supports projects (vital infrastructure and services, skills-building, and economic growth) are based on "decentralization" and "self-reliance." In July, at its first-year evaluation, the NIHD, which has an inter-ministerial management and civil society partners, cited 117 implemented projects targeting one million people. NIHD has budgeted approximately $1 billion to benefit the lives of five million Moroccans (3.5 million rural and 1.5 million urban) by 2110. It is encouraging all Moroccans, including those in the diaspora, as well as others around the world that care about Morocco, to participate in the nation's self-development. Many diverse groups are joining in the effort, among them, the Jewish Committee in Casablanca, led by the Serge Berdugo, recently appointed by the king to be Ambassador at-large. This committee is preparing to raise funds to help build community fruit tree nurseries, a project that should generate tremendous benefits for thousands of rural families.
The question really is not should MCA partner with NIHD--it is, after all, Morocco's on-going, ambitious, self-declared national development project dedicated to participatory community development principles. So by its very nature, NIHD is an excellent partner. Rather, the question for MCA and the...
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