Morocco

Gold Productions Studios producer Mr. Martin Nuza and camera crew Ms. Andrea Rios Sarrias and Mr. Luis Miguel Osorio were in Tangiers for two days covering an event hosted by Mount Productions, the J.M. memorial foundation and the Gibraltar Youth Service. The official press release reads as follows:…

'The Moroccan Experience ... Strengthening links and creating opportunities', a conference co-funded by the European Union Interreg IIIA 2000 to 2006 Initiative and organised by the Gibraltar Youth Service, the JM Memorial Foundation and Mount Productions, took place at the El Minzah Hotel in Tangier and was successful in meeting the aims the organising groups had set out at the start of the project. 

The cultural youth programme carried out by the Gibraltar Youth Service and the JM Memorial Foundation which has been established since the first visit in 1985 as part of the International Youth Year celebrations has grown from strength to strength and the conference concludes the focused programme of events which have taken place throughout 2006 and 2007.

'It was hoped that these encounters would serve to further cement the links between two communities with much in common,' said Mark Montovio who together with Jaime Felices were responsible for the organisation and delivery of the European Union funded project. 'The culmination of this last year and a half cannot be considered, and indeed is not the end, now that the conference is over. We are certain that many have seen the value of the work that has taken place now for many years and will want to find ways to contribute or to develop further links for the benefit of the two communities in question. We were delighted that journalists based in Tangier attended the conference and have since then taken the opportunity to write articles on the experience. We now know that we have projected the work a little further and look forward to the new connections these articles may bring.'

The conference opened on Friday evening with the official viewing of a painting exhibition by young and new up and coming artists including Andrew Featherstone, David Oliva, Mark Baglietto, Diana Gaskin, Luisa Artesani, Glen Wimbleton, Alfred Celecia and Elena Scialtiel. This was followed by a musical performance at the hands of Adrian Pisarello and the EC band and Michelle Tewkesbury. Dancers from Mediterranean Dance Group also took part together with Genyka Celecia who flew in especially from the United Kingdom for the event.

The conference began on Saturday with a variety of speakers. Jimmy Felices set the scene by talking about the historical ties and why the Youth Service is committed to the youth programme. Mark Montovio discussed the aims of the project and went through some of the events organised during the year. Anne Coelho and Steven Warr shared their thoughts on the experience of taking part in the Cheshire Home Youth Project as teenagers. Dr John Cortes discussed the work his team is developing in Morocco. The President of the Cheshire Home Committee and Mohammed Alaoui spoke about the benefits of engaging young people in programmes of this nature. Charlie Collinson from the Department of Trade and Industry's EU Secretriat also contributed thanking the organisers and congratulating them on the delivery of the programme.

'A lot of hard work and commitment has gone into making this project a reality,' added Jaime Felices. 'For the past three years many people have worked long and hard bringing together people from a variety of interests, backgrounds, culture and capabilities.  All of them have worked together with a common aim, putting on events that covered the spectrum of arts, culture and community issues representative of both cultures, Moroccan and Gibraltarian. The events have been instrumental in opening opportunities for individuals and groups from Gibraltar and Morocco to work together, learning from one another, respecting their differences and enjoying the exposure of their cultures and arts to new and different audiences. We are pleased with the response that participants and guests shared with us. We have learnt from their comments and ideas, their apprehensions and hopes for the future.  We are motivated by the enthusiasm shown during this time and feel encouraged by many of the young participants as well as adults who have learnt and grown from the experience. We will continue with our work and are already planning ahead after the closing conference.  We hope the community's support will continue to be forthcoming so that together we can consolidate and improve upon the links between both our communities.  For the benefit of all of us now and in the future.'