Mohamed El Mustapha Benelhaj
2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: The Right to Information is a Dedication to Transparency and IntegrityMorocco
Mohamed El Mustapha Benelhaj has a PhD in public law from the University of Hassan I in Settat. He currently works in Dakhla city and is a member of the Regional Commission of Human Rights for the region of Guelmim-Oued Noun. Mr. Benelhaj is also the executive director of the Center for Strategic Studies and Research Agora.
2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: The Right to Information is a Dedication to Transparency and Integrity
A two-day training session was organized for participants from civil society on the legal right to access information to promote the accountability and transparency of local governments in Morocco. The training workshops covered international standards, national legal frameworks, transparency and accountability, and the protection of personal data. A simplified guide was created with the procedures for exercising the right to access information.
"The training course was an opportunity to qualify the capabilities of local civil society on an essential topic for building a true participatory democracy." - Training participant
2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Engaging Local Community in the Accountability of Local Authorities
This project engaged citizens in the community of Guelmim in a local governance accountability process with local authorities. Project participants were trained on social media advocacy and how to successfully organize and manage online campaigns and communicate with policymakers and local public administration officers. Trainings also focused on how to use visuals and imagery in social media campaigns and the ethics of using pictures publicly and the copyright regulations in Morocco.
An online platform was established containing all training resources. Handbooks were produced and distributed to aid participants in their future work to hold local governments accountable, specifically in the fields of child protection, environmental protection, and women’s rights.
More on the project is available here: Sharek Project
IVLP Exchange Experience
Mohamed participated in the IVLP Project Transparency and Accountability in Government in 2021, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education in partnership with Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Global Ties Iowa and Colorado Springs World Affairs Council. He also participated in the IVLP Project Transparency and Accountability in Government in 2022 organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, World Trade Center Institute, International Institute of Wisconsin, World Affairs Council of New Hampshire and WorldBoston.
Mohamed's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "The most important lesson I learned from my visit to the United States is that donation and volunteer work are the basis for success in the work of civil society."
U.S. Communities Visited in 2022
Washington, DC; Salt Lake City, UT; Baltimore, MD; Madison, WI; Manchester, NH; Boston, MA
U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021
Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; Iowa City, IA; Cleveland, OH
Country: Morocco