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A successful 2nd round for the YML in Seville
One year after the launch of the YML in Tunis (October 2008), the Young Mediterranean Leaders came together for the 2nd time in Seville (November 5-7) around the theme « redfining the euro-mediterranean space: between utopias and reality». If the 1st YML Forum marked the birth of the network, this second encounter confirmed its pertinence and conforted us in our will to pursue a euro-mediterranean rapprochement, lead by the new generation of Mediterranean decision-makers from all professional and geographical horizons. In Seville, around personalities of the Mediterranean landscape, participants were able to reflect upon the state of the region, from economic, political, societal and culturals points of view, and suggest concrete actions. Overview of this meeting and of two years of existence.
Context – « The Utopia of Euro-Maghreb »
If in 2008, the hope of a new Mediterranean union was tangible, supported by the grand launching of the Union for the Mediterranean (UFM), one year later, enthusiasm had considerably dropped : doubts on the Union’s capacity to obtain more probing results than the Barcelona process, difficulties generated by political tensions and by the global crisis, and finally, jeopardizing of the ongoing Mediterranean dialogue by the Gaza episode.
It is in this context of crisis and tension that the 2009 YML programme was elaborated, with the idea that the utopia of the Euro-Mediterranean shouldn’t be abandoned, but maybe rethought and tinted with more pragmatism. The enlargement of the Union –in particular to the Eastern Mediterranean- and its underlying political complexity had already created scepticism: the 5 + 5 partnership was definitely more immediately operational.
While analyzing the multiple obstacles of the UFM, it appeared more relevant to us to focus on the essential, on what is based on a human dynamic rather than a political one. The Euro-Maghreb was, in this perspective, a more appropriate framework to launch investment and cooperation projects.
Rich and varied debates
It is thus in this context that participants gathered in Seville, for the 2nd edition of the YML Forum, where alternating plenary sessions and technical workshops allowed them to address various subjects:
- redefining the euro-mediterranean space (Great Mediterranean vs. Euro-Maghreb)
- building the cultural, economic and educational Euro-Maghreb
- Turkey as a possible model of modernization for the Maghreb
- renewable energies in the Mediterranean
- encouraging cinematographic creation in the South
…
Personalities such as Hubert Védrine or Miguel Angel Moratinos, confirmed their support and the pertinence of our approach. Mr. Védrine, invited to conclude the 1st day of debates, praised the « network approach » of the YML and underlined the role our young, uninhibited generation had to play in the region. The Chief of Spanish diplomacy, invited to conclude the Forum, congratulated the initiative, affirming the YML’s capacity to redynamize a «Mediterranean dialogue » caught in a «political deadlock which is not acceptable».
A successful outreach to civil society in its whole and to the cultural world
The diversity of profiles, on stage like in the audience, enabled to considerably enrich the debates and conversations. The YML managed to diversify its network, integrating more largely personalities from the cultural, media, academic and artistic fields. Thus, the Seville Forum gathered, in addition to economic and political representatives, writers (Anouar Benmalek), artists (painters, musicians, film-makers), intellectuals (Ahmed Reda Benchemsi – TelQuel Magazine or Driss Ksikes – Revue Economia and playwright), scholars (Gilles Kepel – IEP de Paris, Mohamed Ali Marouani – Paris I-Panthéon Sorbonne) and experts (Francis Ghilès – CIDOB and Didier Billion - IRIS).
A workshop dedicated to cinematographic creation featured personalities such as filmmakers Nour-Eddine Lakhmari, Nabil Ayouch, Souad El-Bouhati, and Ibrahim Ltaief. Collaboration with the Fundacion Tres Culturas based in Seville enabled to make 3 artists (Moroccan, Spanish and Israeli) work on the realisation of a triptych dedicated to the Mediterranean, in parallel to the work sessions.
More open to the various spheres of the civil society the YML managed to form a truly multidisciplinary network, mixing artists, journalists, intellectuals, scholars, politicians, businessmen and women, likely to have a profound and creative reflection on the region.
The Euro-Maghreb and the rest of the world
Another highlight of the Forum and the program was the opening to Turkey, as a “benchmark” element for the Maghreb. Unanimously, the plenary session dedicated to « Turkey, model of modernization for the Maghreb ? » provoked much interested amongst the YMLs, who were able to benefit from the eloquence of various speakers such as Ozlem Turkone, young Turkish deputy (AKP party) who praised the process followed by her country which adopted the western lifestyle, without however obeying blindly to Northern pressures. This session also inspired the editor in chief of the Moroccan magazine TelQuel (view editorial on the « Turkish fantasy »). Didier Billion, Deputy Director of IRIS and speaker on this session, had already written for the YML an article on the « promising relationships between Turkey and the Maghreb».
Jean-Louis Guigou, General Delegate of the Ipemed, defended the thesis according to which a UFM reduced to the western Mediterranean seemed appealing at first, but that the Mediterranean region was first and foremost « a coherent ensemble, under elaboration. This is why, the strategic vision must be euro-mediterranean, because it is the relevant dimension of this emerging region », thus expressing a point of view differing from the YML’s voluntary choice to focus on the Euro-Maghreb. As for Gilles Kepel, historian and MENA expert, he pleaded for an integration of the Gulf Countries in the Mediterranean issue, and in the construction of a « virtuous triangle between the UE, the southern and eastern Mediterranean countries, as well as Gulf Council of Cooperation». Julie Egan finally, from the US Department of State, stressed the increasing implication of the US in the region, especially in North Africa, and invited the YMLs to submit their questions and recommendations for the region to the new American administration.
The question of the « new frontiers of Maghreb » was also addressed during a dedicated workshop, underlining the increasing role of countries such as China and Brazil in the region.
Aware of the fact that the new generation has their eyes riveted on a wider horizon that its historic frontier with the Old Continent, the YML intends on developing links with new international partners in the region. But of all debates came out the certainty that the preamble to any euro-mediterranean construction or insertion in a globalized world would inevitably be the realization of united Maghreb.
Initiatives for a united Maghreb
In the expression « Euro-Maghreb », « Euro » exists, the hyphen as well (embodied in fact, by this new generation positioned on both shores), but what doesn’t exist, is the “Maghreb”, a as unified and pacified unity. The YML’s efforts will therefore first aim towards a greater regional integration of the Maghreb.
It is in this perspective that the participants were lead to reflect on initiatives favouring inter-maghrebine cooperation, resulting in 3 propositions:
- A Maghrebine think tank which conducts research on strategic views, with the aim to reflect upon and address economic issues at a regional level
- A residence designed to support artists from the south shore in screen-play writing. This initiative, focused initially on the film industry will be launched officially at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival
- Support the training of elites in the Maghreb through a program developed in partnership with northern universities and institutions.
These initiatives will give place to meetings in the coming months, with members of the network who are interested in these projects and willing to carry them, in order to develop an efficient action plan.
- A residence designed to support artists from the south shore in screen-play writing. This initiative, focused initially on the film industry will be launched officially at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival
- Support the training of elites in the Maghreb through a program developed in partnership with northern universities and institutions.
These initiatives will give place to meetings in the coming months, with members of the network who are interested in these projects and willing to carry them, in order to develop an efficient action plan.
These initiatives aim first and foremost at reinforcing cooperation between North African countries and therefore the weight of this unity, so as to be more likely to develop a solid and sustainable euro-mediterranean partnership.
A greater credibility and an influence to exert in the region
In conclusion of the Seville Forum and of two years of existence, the credibility and legitimacy of the YML is from now on more asserted, labelling our network as a distinguished platform in the Mediterranean space.
Mr Moratinos, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, proved this point during the closure of the Forum, during which he deplored that «mediterranean dialogue is caught in a political deadlock » and praised the YML initiative, which, according to him, « broke a silence and met an expectation ». He also seized this opportunity to invite the YML to participate in the next summit of the Union For the Mediterranean, to be held in Spain in 2010, therefore reinforcing the weight of the organization and legitimacy as well as capacity of influence.
Moreover, collaborations are growing stronger with renowned institutions, proving that the YML has quickly found its place in the region’s landscape. Testimonies, by Mediterranean personalities deem the YML « a quality platform », « independant », « non-institutional », a « true place for dialogue and sharing of knowledge, experience, initiatives and ideas ».
The press, ,which followed us from the start, continues to relay our actions and messages, and partners keep supporting our initiative. If the YML’s notoriety is from now on well developed, and increasing, if our organization enjoys a certain prestige and recognition in the field, it is now up to us to turn into a firmly established platform and a front-line actor, by exerting more our influence to the area’s decision-makers and develop the initiatives that we have identified, together.
The challenges we are facing today are clearly identified:
- Develop initiatives to exceed the “event” dimension of the YML Forum
- Manage to give the YML the means to sustain its actions and develop its ambitions
- Extend the network (Belgium and UK amongst others)
- Contribute to reflect and vivify the debate on the Mediterranean region
- Defend the image of a « Mediterranean label » in the media (especially in the North) and contribute to the creation of a Mediterranean identity within the new generation of decision-makers on both shores.
Because it is truly the question of identity which is the core of the YML : new generations of Sourthern Europe and North Africa are the trustees of multi-millenary Mediterranean civilization, the heirs) of a shared history, which laid the basis of a common legacy. But they are mostly the guarantors of a viable development , thanks to their energy, their projects, their capacity to overcome historical divides and look at the future with hope and dynamism. We have the opportunity today, to build, with this generation of leaders who have grown up, studied and worked on both shores , to nurture and develop an identity which is first maghrebine, then euro-mediterranean, and finally Mediterranean, both meaningful and tangible. It is indeed our responsibility, as Mr Moratinos expressed during the Seville Forum : « I sincerely think that transforming the utopia into reality in the Mediterranean zone is possible and desirable, and that it is up to all the stakeholders, and in particular to the younger, you, who are the present and the future. I am certain that this collective and common effort will reflect in encouraging results, that will be the prelude to a Mediterranean that is safe, prosper, and at peace, that is to say, the beginning of the utopia, made real ».
Up to us now to pick up the challenge and realize this utopia.