MISSION PLAN FOR ADVANCING DEMOCRATIC REFORMS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000668 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/OFI, NEA/MAG AND PDAS CHENEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2016 TAGS: EAID ECON KDEM PGOV SCUL KMPI MO SUBJECT: MISSION PLAN FOR ADVANCING DEMOCRATIC REFORMS IN MOROCCO: STATUS REPORT #4 REF: A. 05 STATE 806071 ¶B. 05 RABAT 1026 ¶C. 05 RABAT 2073 ¶D. RABAT 0022 ¶E. STATE 47911 Classified By: AMBASSADOR THOMAS T. RILEY FOR REASONS 1.4 B & D ¶1. (U) Per ref A Action Request, Post submits the following quarterly assessment of its Democratic Reform Strategy as outlined in ref B. Our report is keyed to the Milestones (M) and Tactics (T) outlined in our strategy and provides an update through March 31, 2006. Update narratives contain both a summary of GOM progress towards the Milestone and executed or pending post activities to implement the Tactics. -------------- ¶2. (C) Objective One: Competent, Effective, Responsive Government -------------- M: Morocco maintains MCA eligibility by meeting reform criteria for FY 06, October 2005. -- Assessment: On November 8, 2005, the USG announced that Morocco had successfully maintained its MCA eligibility for FY06. This milestone is now complete. M: Political parties implement the political party law currently under consideration in parliament making parties more transparent, effective, democratic and responsive, December 2005. T: Direct post and MEPI implementer engagement with political parties to encourage adoption and application of the new law. -- Assessment: The political party law passed both houses of parliament. This follows the Ambassador's advocacy efforts with the Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of Justice and others, and two roundtable debates with Members of Parliament (MP) and civil society on the political party law organized or facilitated by the Mission. MEPI/USAID implementer NDI is preparing a training seminar on implementation of the new law for delivery upon passage. M: Parliament improves its capacities to meet its constitutional responsibilities by 1) adopting a new external communication strategy, December 2005; 2) asserting its authority to review, adopt, and monitor the national budget, December 2006. T: MEPI implementers and USAID's Parliament Support Project provide the technical assistance required. -- Assessment: USAID awarded a three-year contract to the State University of New York (SUNY) in October 2004. In addition, USAID has ongoing training activities for MPs and staff (both chambers) on budget analysis and oversight. The Parliamentary Support Project has assisted with the development of a communications strategy for Parliament and the procurement of communications advisory services. Moroccan MPs were brought to the United States in September on a study tour to determine ways to strengthen legislative, budgetary, and constituency relations issues. This tour resulted in the recent decision to explore the feasibility of establishing a joint budget office. This office is to be presented for approval in the next session of parliament. SUNY will manage technical assistance for this project. While we are on track for parliament to assert its budget authority by the end of the year, the creation of the joint budget office would positively contribute to meeting this target.In January, IRI briefed the Ambassador, USAID and embassy staff on its political party polling. USAID facilitated the visit of staff from the House Democratic Assistance Commission (HDAC) this March. M: Enhance the availability and delivery of local government services in response to citizen priorities by improving access to private financial markets through a municipal credit rating system, December 2006. T: Implement USAID Local Governance and Transparency Program providing specific performance measures to strengthen the management and financial capacity of local governments. -- Assessment: USAID awarded a three-year contract to RTI in May 2005. One objective of the project is to improve local city government performance by facilitating access to long term financing. USAID has developed a detailed work plan for 2005-2006 and selected regions and municipalities for implementation of the local government program. Mission is using the detailed performance measures developed by RTI to assess the program and thus far it is on target to reach its 2006 objectives. Post's reform committee is reviewing the measures to identify an appropriate high level indicator to gauge the results of our straegy. USAID team met with senior local officials in several cities including Rabat and Casablanca to assist in the implementation of the project at the local level. Progress has been made in the development of information systems through the USAID project, promoting public access to information used for decision making. M: Coordination between public authorities and civil society improves as evidenced by MCA national compact consultations, January 2006. T: Use MEPI and Mission events to promote coordination between Moroccan government and civil society. -- Assessment: Emboffs continue to brief GOM interlocutors and NGOs on the MCA. The GOM has slightly changed the make up of its working group to shepherd its MCA compact negotiations and is improving its efforts towards achieving the required civil society dialogue. On March 28-29, the GOM hosted a consultative meetings with a large audience including civil society, universities, and the private sector. The new CEO of MCC, John Danilovich, visited Morocco in January, and was followed by two MCC teams in February and one in March, in addition to PM Jettou and the GOM MCA team visiting Washington in February. All visits focused on the consultative process. Jettou has promised the final compact proposal by April 15. M: Parliamentary passage of banking sector reform law, 2005; implementation of banking reform law and Central Bank reform law, January 2006; parliamentary passage of anti-money laundering legislation, January 2006. -- Assessment: The bank reform bill and the Central Bank reform law have both passed through parliament and been sealed and published. They are now in the implementation stage. The Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation has been delivered to the Secretary General of the Government (SGG),but has not yet been introduced to Parliament. ECON and PAS organized a Special International Visitor Program (IVP) on AML in 2004, which familiarized potential future members of the GOM's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) envisioned by the draft AML bill with U.S. practices. The Ambassador has demarched the SGG directly regarding AML legislation and raised the issue during a courtesy call with the MOI on March 27. Post and Washington visitors have lobbied key GOM ministries on the importance of passage of the AML bill. In November 2005, the semi-official Moroccan daily, La Matin, carried a front page article on the importance of AML legislation. In December 2005, six GOM officials attended FBI-funded AML training in the U.S. -------------- -- ¶3. (C) Objective Two: Inclusion and Opportunity -------------- -- M: Increased awareness of family code reforms on the part of citizens, judges and other public authorities, especially in rural areas as witnessed through increased use and application of the provisions of the family code, December 2006. T: Use MEPI and small grants programming to disseminate the new reforms in imaginative and effective ways; signed the USAID/MEPI Grant program for the development of learner-friendly literacy materials on the family code in July 2005; support an extension of current MEPI-funded activities. -- Assessment: Post submitted an extension for a small grant to MEPI Tunis to fund the highly successful MEPI small grant promoting understanding of the new Moudawana family code through traveling theater shows. While USAID/MEPI implementer Global Rights' (GR) funding expired at the end of February, post lobbied for additional MEPI funding for GR in Morocco and was successful in obtaining an additional USD 300,000 in MEPI and ESF funding for the next phase of the project. GR has successfully worked with local NGOs and associations to raise awareness of the Moudawana (new family code) and produced a 422-page Arabic facilitators program manual of which over 1000 hard copies and 1000 CD-ROM versions have been distributed. GR also distributed 1000 copies of posters in Arabic, French, and Berber explaining the key Moudawana provisions. Academy for Educational Development (AED) is implementing a MEPI-funded program which uses the Moudawana as subject matter for literacy training as part of USAID's integrated basic education and vocational training program. Situational analysis of literacy materials and training capacity is to be conducted in four key regions. MEPI implementer World Learning (WL) also completed its USD 770,000 regional grant. WL developed comic strips in Moroccan Arabic and French making the provisions of the new family code more accessible to the general public. These comic strips have been distributed to associations throughout Morocco in consultation with the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Solidarity (SDFS). The Project Director met with the Ministers of Education and SDFS to develop a plan to use the comic strips in school libraries and classrooms. WL also distributed small grants to NGOs working to increase awareness of the new family code in rural areas and conducted a baseline study assessing the understanding/awareness of the new family code in urban and rural areas. In February, WL hosted a regional conference including representatives from Algeria and Tunisia in Rabat to discuss the challenges of implementing the family code in different countries of the region. The DCM was one of the keynote speakers at the conference. Demos Institute is currently implementing a USD 250,000 MEPI grant for building the capacity of Arab women NGOs and groups that advocate for reforming family laws. A Demos- organized conference in December 2005 included women from 13 Arab countries to discuss plans for the production of a manual to aid capacity-building for women's NGOs and advocacy strategies for promoting new family laws. The Embassy supported MEPI efforts to ensure strong Moroccan participation at a regional conference on Women's Successes as Leaders in Bahrain in March 2006. M: Expand the number of literate Moroccans, including adults, October 2005. T: The USAID MEPI-funded Literacy program, launched in July 2005 with classes focusing on literacy for adults, particularly women in rural areas beginning October 2005. Open ESF-funded new girls' homes enabling rural girls to continue education beyond the sixth grade. -- Assessment: In September 2005, USAID awarded grants to four NGOs in different parts of the country to open dormitory-style girls homes. Each home houses 20 girls while they attend school away from their families. In December 2005, AED awarded MEPI-funded grants to 16 Moroccan NGOs for literacy programs. Each NGO will train 100 women and will participate in the development of literacy training material based on the Moudawana. M: Increase the relevance of education opportunities for Moroccan young people (as measured by decreased student drop out rate in the educational system, through 9th grade, especially among girls and by access to vocational training),November 2005. T: USAID's integrated basic education and vocational training program. -- Assessment: Local teams in the program's four regions have been identified and their plans finalized. Existing primary teacher training materials were reviewed for adaptation at the middle school level. Initial computer training for teachers started and selected middle schools have received their multi-media lab equipment. The CISCO network training program has delivered job preparedness training to 300 students. Of these students, 238 completed the training and 35 percent of them found a job within three months. An additional 10 percent are continuing their education. One hundred recipients of Women in Technology scholarships are taking CISCO network training at the USAID-supported CISCO Academies with the first students having graduated in summer 2005. M: FTA Implementation begins, January 2006. T: MEPI and USAID-funded technical assistance ongoing. USAID has launched its largely ESF-funded New Business Opportunities, New Business Environment and Agro-Business programs. Nearly USD 10 million in MEPI FTA implementation technical assistance distributed. USPTO IPR training and the final year of IESC Morocco Fast Track Trade Program still pending completion. USD 1 million MEPI-funded Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) Legal Review completed. An additional USD 1 million of CLDP technical assistance will be implemented this fiscal year. -- Assessment: The FTA went into effect on January 1, ¶2006. CLDP report drafted and in clearance within the USG. CLDP designing programs to maximize effectiveness of additional USD 1 million MEPI FA implementation funds. These will focus largely on transparency and customs facilitation. M: Expanded understanding and enforcement of Morocco's new labor code and labor requirements of U.S. Free Trade Agreement, December 2006. T: USD 3.0 million in DOL/ILAB grants to ILO to train labor inspectors, labor unions and employers in new labor code and disseminate public information concerning new code. MEPI USD 500,000 grant for Moroccan-hosted regional conference to promote labor standards and explain FTA labor requirements and to defray costs of Moroccan participation in December 2005 conference in Oman. -- Assessment: A chief technical advisor (CTA) selected by USDOL and ILO has conducted an intensive training program of the GOM Labor Inspectorate underway since March 2005. CTA is preparing handouts on the June 2003 Labor Code for employers' associations unions, and others. USDOL joined with the GOM and USTR in hosting a MEPI-sponsored North Africa) Middle East Labor Dialogue in Rabat. Six other Arab nations sent delegations and several resident Arab foreign missions sent observers. A total of 65 Middle East representatives took part. Conference received extensive local and international media coverage. The first phase of a labor code training project ended in June 2005 with 310 labor inspectors and 43 regional employment representatives receiving training. As a result, the number of successful labor mediations has increased and the number of days lost to strikes diminished by 27 percent in 2005 compared to 2004. A second phase is planned to teach 30 inspectors how to train others in inspection methods. In December, Oman hosted a Labor Dialogue. M: MCA Compact concluded and MCC-funded reform projects begin, January-December 2006. T: U.S. Embassy and Washington visitors monitor and actively support MCA dialogue and compact finalization. MCC provides in-country permanent staff to support implementation and monitoring of MCA projects. -- Assessment: GOM has identified its MCA point of contact and Working Group. MCC staff members have visited Morocco nine times (four times in 2006),including a January visit by new MCC CEO Danilovich and three trips by MCA Senior Country Director Michael Grossman. These visits included several meetings with Prime Minister Jettou who accompanied the GOM's MCA team on its second trip to MCC's Washington office in March to discuss the consultative process. While in Morocco, the MCC teams have met with numerous GOM ministries, civil society and private sector members, other donor organizations, and have visited potential rural grantee locations. Reviewing Morocco's consultative process for its Compact proposal has been a major area of the MCC's focus along with technical analysis and review of the economic impact of the GOM's proposed projects. In March, Associate Country Director Magda Ismail and Mission staff attended the GOM's national conference on the consultative process in Ouarzazate. Prime Minister Jettou has ambitiously promised the final Compact proposal by mid- April. The MCC team reported good progress, but felt several months of work remain on the Compact proposal. M: Improve English Language instruction in Moroccan high and middle schools, September 2006. T: Regional English Language Office and Bureau of ECA exchange programs to "train the trainer" in modern, content-based ELT methods that focus on practical language skills that enhance the marketability of graduates. -- Assessment: Using funding from its Regional English Language Office (RELO),PAS trained 54 Moroccan English teachers in a summer 2005 institute. With MEPI funding this will be expanded to 80 or more teachers in 2006. One hundred thirteen students participated in summer camps in Taghazout. In October 2005, the English Access Microscholarship program extended its one-year training program of 96 existing students into a second year and increased the number of first-year students to 477. This training is conducted by Amideast, 10 American Language Centers throughout Morocco, and the Ajef de l'Orient NGO. The MEPI-funded "English in a Box" program began in October and continued through February with 44 sets of materials presented to youth centers throughout Morocco and 11 sets to English ACCESS Micro-scholarship schools. Forty four Peace corps volunteers also received training in this program. In November, PAS and ECA funded English language specialist Kathy Nyikos to conduct workshops on "Teaching in Large, Resource-challenged classes" to nearly 400 teachers in five Moroccan cities. -------------- - ¶4. (C) Objective Three: Freedom of Expression -------------- - M: Legislation is passed to revise the existing press code and decriminalize libel. Journalists previously jailed for libel freed, December 2005. T: Provide MEPI-funded programs and IV programs on media law; distribute IIP products promoting a free press, design speaker programs to address press ethical practices and confidence building between the press and politicians, and advocate at all levels of Moroccan government for press freedom. -- Assessment: GOM has not yet submitted this legislation to Parliament, but work on the legislation is under way with discussions ongoing between the national press union, the Federation of Moroccan Publishers, and the Ministry of Communications. The Ambassador has conducted advocacy on the issue with the Ministers of Communications and Justice. In 2005, PAS conducted extensive outreach activities offering journalism and ethics training, sent 15 Moroccan journalists to the U.S. on various exchange programs and has plans to send 10 to 15 more in 2006. In late 2005, the Ambassador conducted an interview with a local francophone financial daily underscoring U.S. support for free speech in Morocco. Ambassador and DCM continue to conduct advocacy related to press freedom with senior GOM officials. In December, the American Moroccan Institute hosted a conference in Rabat on U.S.-Arab relations through the media. In March, members of the public affairs section met with the editors of the magazine Tel Quel and the newspaper Le Journal to discuss press freedom. M: Journalists adopt uniform, national, professional standards for journalism ethics lending to enhanced professional performance in media coverage, July 2006. T: Renew Mission outreach and training programs to professionalize the Moroccan media. Work with professional associations to encourage adoption of journalistic ethical standards. -- Assessment: The journalist union has not formally adopted a statement of ethics. PAS has included ethics training in professional programs for journalists in 13 cities, distributed targeted material on journalism ethics and has also sent five journalists on International Visitor (IV) exchange programs which included an ethics component. PAS expects to send another 10 to 15 journalists on IVs in FY06. The Ministry of Communications is negotiating with the Moroccan National Press Union (SNPM) to develop a National Code of Ethics for journalists and to form National Press Council to arbitrate press complaints and settle disputes outside the courts. PAS is working to identify an NGO to assist the SNPM in this regard. In February 2006, a week-long speaker program brought top press editors, politicians and human rights advocates together to debate press freedom, as well as professional training to broadcast media students. In April 2006, a speaker program will provide on-line investigative reporting training to regional correspondents in the Fes/Meknes region. MEPI contractor IREX will implement a regional media program, and will hold a conference in Morocco in September 2006 on Arab media and the media sustainability index. M: New licenses granted to radio and television outlets signaling liberalization of the broadcast media sector, February 2006. T: Utilize MEPI-funded programs to teach marketing and technical training for small radio station operators; implement IV program to encourage broadcast entrepreneurs; obtain training opportunities through IBB and Department of State programs to enhance professionalism among private and public broadcasters. -- Assessment: The GOM has formed the governing body that will be responsible for issuing licenses to new radio and television stations, Haute Autorite de la Communication Audiovisuelle (HACA). New licenses are now scheduled to be distributed in April 2006. In October, Ambassador and Broadcaster's Board of Governors delegation held meetings with the Minister of Communications and HACA regarding Radio Sawa licensing. All parties agreed to regularize its status. In March, MEPI launched a request for applications for funds to support the development of independent media, which has encountered legal problems. M: Women prepare to launch candidacies for 2007 parliamentary elections, December 2006. T: MEPI and small grants to support women's representation in the formal political system, September 2005-April 2006. -- Assessment: USAID requested ESF support for women's political participation. MEPI has requested support for encouraging women's participation in political processes, but no funding has been provided. M: Civil society organizations (CSO) assume their role in defining, expressing and addressing the priority policy concerns of organized groups of citizens, October 2006. T: Promote CSO participation in international and regional dialogues, including the Forum for the Future in Bahrain; Design and launch a USAID program for institutional capacity building and policy advocacy to support public participation (unfunded); MEPI grants to support activities aimed at building institutional capacity in civil society. -- Assessment: A MEPI SPA Grant has partially funded Tanmia.ma, an NGO web portal that will establish focal point centers to get grassroots organizations "on-line." There was strong Moroccan participation in the Democracy Assistance Dialogue (DAD) for civil society meeting in Venice in July 2005. With strong support from Embassy Rabat, Morocco (with leading roles played by the GOM and the Moroccan NGO Maroc 2020) hosted the Democracy Assistance Dialogue in Rabat in October 2005, which for the first time brought together NGOs and government representatives from around the region for a discussion of democracy. Three Moroccan NGOs attended the Forum for the Future, hosted by Bahrain, which offered civil society organizations an opportunity to share their work and recommendations. Post is investigating ECA and other grant mechanisms to enhance civil society. USAID has conducted an assessment of civil society participation in Morocco and will develop programs for institutional capacity building and public advocacy should ESF funding be available after they were reduced by 60 percent from planned levels for FY06. The consultative process for MCC's Compact proposal expanded from the regional level to a national one that included a March 28-29 conference including universities, the private sector, NGOs, local associations, and the GOM. M: Youth acquire the civics knowledge and organizational skills to constructively contribute to democratic life in Morocco, December 2006. T: Design and launch a USAID program for creating youth organizations and civics education (unfunded); MEPI grants to support creation of youth organizations, civic education and the political participation of young people. -- Assessment: USAID has made an initial proposal to USAID/Washington on youth support/participation programs focused on youth centers and organizations (this initiative is dependent on the availability of ESF funding). Arab CIVITAS has trained over 3,500 middle and high school students on its "Project Citizen" modules in addition to teachers and some university level students. This project was completed in January 2006, but has bridge funding until April. A three-year extension is under review, but can only move forward with adequate ESF funding, which was drastically reduced in FY06. USAID has been advocating for a pilot project for the use of alternative electronic media (podcasts and streaming audio/video ) to promote youth participation/civics education under a program that supports innovative IT programming. -------------- ¶5. (C) Diplomatic Strategies -------------- M: Ongoing dialogue and advocacy on reform efforts by Ambassador, DCM and other Embassy officers with Moroccan officials and civil society. -- Assessment: Ambassador and DCM have demarched key GOM interlocutors (including the MFA, the Prime Minister, and other Ministers) on reform objectives. Post organized roundtable exchanges between four separate Codels (Smith, King, Lugar and Lantos) and Parliamentarians on democracy and reform. Embassy conducted strong advocacy on freedom of expression with Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and Communications. Ambassador lobbied key legislative and executive branch officials on FTA-related legislation, MCA, AML, and press freedom. MCC CEO Danilovich, the Ambassador and DCM met with civil society members in January. Also in January, Representative Lantos met with reformers. M: Vigorous public diplomacy programs targeting reform priorities. -- Assessment: Ongoing. PAS is conducting regular outreach activities including guest speakers (such as one in February on freedom of expression in television reporting and confidence building between journalists and politicians),IV programs, media placements and targeted information distribution. Using PAS funding, provided internet training for conducting research to journalists in seven smaller Moroccan cities. Dar America in Casablanca has organized one or more discussion programs each month on topics related to our overall reform strategy. In the first quarter of 2006, topics included the role of diversity in American society, the Civil Rights movement in the United States, the role of press in U.S. society, and the changing role of women in the America. The Ambassador has spoken in a variety of public venues (including formal speeches and media interviews) advocating our reform agenda. During the first three months of 2006 public diplomacy efforts included the following: numerous meetings with senior level GOM officials, private sector representatives, Moroccan reformers and a press conference to discuss reform issues during the Lantos visit; the Ambassador's interview with L'Economiste newspaper to discuss the economic reforms of the FTA and its related political implications, the Ambassador's hosting of a meeting for 20 civil society representatives to discuss their participation in the formulation of the GOM's MCA compact proposal and the need for reform; a reception for the GOM's FTA negotiating team that was well attended by local media; and numerous interviews and press conferences during the visit of MCC's Danilovich to address reform issues. M: Semi-annual convening of the Assistant Secretary level strategic dialogue to set benchmarks and evaluate progress. -- Assessment: Deputy Secretary Zoellick and NEA Assistant Secretary Welch met with Deputy Foreign Minister Fassi Fihri and Moroccan Permanent Representative Sahel in March in Washington. Reform issues were discussed, especially freedom of expression. M: CODEL and congressional staff involvement in visits to Parliament. -- Assessment: In FY-05 CODEL Smith lobbied for banking reform and AML Legislation, and conducted a successful roundtable with Parliamentarians on a range of political and economic issues. CODEL King discussed Morocco's democratic transition with Parliamentarians. Senator Lugar met with reformers, and the National Congress of State Legislators (NCSL) held a seminar for 40 parliamentary staff to improve research and communication. In FY-06 NCSL held a regional parliamentary workshop, bringing legislators and staff from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia together with three state senators from the legislatures of Alaska, Illinois and Nevada. In addition, a delegation from the American Council of Young Political Leaders met with parliamentary leaders and youth groups. In January 2006, Representative Lantos met with Parliamentarians, and in March Staffdel Phelan the House International Relations Committee/House Democracy Assistance Commission staffers met with Parliamentary staffers. M: MCC engagement with GOM and civil society on compact negotiations -- Assessment: Post continues its regular diplomatic engagement with the GOM on MCA issues, including lobbying for conclusion of the Compact and strengthening of the civil society dialogue component and addressing GOM technical and policy questions on MCA. MCC staff has visited Morocco nine times (four times in 2006) and the consultative process has been a major subject of discussion. The former and current CEOs of MCC have visited Morocco (most recently in January) and Prime Minster Jettou visited MCC's Washington offices in February. The consultative process was the major subject of Jettou's visit. On March 28-29, the GOM hosted a national conference on the consultative process including universities, NGOs, the private sector and other donor organizations. The consultative process is making progress in moving from the regional level to the national level, and highlights the acceptance of citizen participation in government. M: Regularly Scheduled USTR/MFA Meetings to review FTA implementation per the agreement text. -- Assessment: Post facilitated regular contact between USTR and the GOM, which led to the approval of the FTA and its entry into force on January 1, 2006. The USG and GOM will continue to meet on a regular, but less frequent basis to ensure that the FTA is being managed properly. An FTA Agricultural Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for summer 2006. M: Intervention by senior officials on the margins of international fora to reiterate importance of reform in the region. -- Assessment: U/S Burns met FM Bennaisa on September 2005 on the margins of UNGA and discussed reform issues. NEA DAS Carpenter met with Deputy Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri on the margins of the DAD to discuss progress on Moroccan political openness. At the Forum for the Future, U.S. and Moroccan representatives consulted on the Fund for the Future. Morocco is among the initial contributors to the Fund for the Future and has provided political support for the Foundation for the Future. In January, the Ambassador participated in a roundtable on reform organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. -------------- ¶6. (C) Resource Requirements -------------- M: English-Language Training: Provide English language training to up to 2,000 underprivileged young Moroccans, similar to the current English Access Micro-Scholarship Program, in 10 of Morocco's cities where the disappointment, disaffection and disengagement of a large number of urban poor is a growing problem. In addition to the practical and marketable language skill this would provide, the program would also connect the students to the world outside of their disadvantaged neighborhoods, introduce them to American culture and values and, both through lesson content and targeted programs, encourage their participation in civil society. -- Assessment: Amideast held summer camps for 96 participants under the English Access Micro-Scholarship Program funded through MEPI and NEA/PD. Post has scaled back plans to provide training for the additional 1,400 students originally envisioned due to a lack of funding. Full scholarships, via a $14,000 Regional English language office grant allowed 113 participants to attend summer camps held in Taghazout run by the Peace Corps. M: Additional Media training. -- UPDATE: PAS secured funding for English language training for approximately 100 journalists in eight cities: Agadir, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Rabat, Tangiers and Tetouan through the American Language Centers. PAS is currently reviewing six MEPI proposals for additional training. M: Increased civil society capacity building -- UPDATE: MEPI RO conducted Strategic Planning for Local Organizations for Moroccan NGOs in Casablanca September 24-25. USAID civil society programming assessment done in November. Activities are being delayed due to a lack of funding. M: Additional Youth organizing/civic participation -- UPDATE: NDI is forming cadre of young officials by involving party youth movements in training programs. The embassy hosted an informal gathering of Moroccan youth in mid-August to elicit views on issues of concern. Recommendation to include youth issues into broader public participation project including civil society. Further activities are postponed due to a lack of funding. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley