From the 25th and 29th of September 2024, the European Autumn Academy was held in Marrakesh, jointly organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, RNI Women and EPP Women. Over the course of four days, women in prominent leadership roles from politics, business and civil society engaged in an enriching dialog on topics and issues of current world affairs, which otherwise often remains male-dominated. This platform provided participants with the opportunity to exchange high-level ideas on critical subjects such as security, defense, energy, and climate change, enabling them to shape future policy and strengthen their professional networks.
A visit to the campus of the Université Mohamed VI Polytechnic opened up a first discussion, which quickly developed into the central theme of the entire conference: High-performance scientific centers such as UM6P show that Morocco and West Africa have long since reached a point where, from the perspective of both sides, a European partnership is no longer just a possibility but much more a necessity for addressing and solving global challenges.
This approach was echoed throughout the conference. In particular, the importance of considering women's voices in finding sustainable solutions was repeatedly emphasized, because the stronger women are in a society, the stronger the entire society becomes. (Vice-President Dubravka Šuica of the European Commission in a greeting via video message to the participants)
High-level panels, led by expert speakers, focused on the growing complexity of the global security landscape, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. As EPP Women Vice President and former EU Commissioner Marya Gabriel noted, an integrated and inclusive approach is essential to navigating the potential instability facing these regions. Steven Höfner, head of the KAS office in Morocco, drew attention to the fact that these crises are no longer confined to specific regions but global conflicts that are interlinked spanning continents and domains, including cyber space.
Although topics like climate change, energy, and demographic shifts may seem secondary in the face of immediate security concerns, the panel discussions underscored their critical importance. In an increasingly interconnected world, challenges related to infrastructure development, renewable energy, and demographic transitions have profound implications for overall security. As Frances Fitzgerald, former Member of the European Parliament, aptly noted, Europe and Morocco must avoid becoming unfinished economic entities and, consequently, unfinished democracies in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
By Anna Weisse, Intern at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's office in Morocco
