The Effectiveness of Cultural Rights in Development Programmes

The Independent Commission for Human Rights in North Africa (CIDH AFRICA) organised a roundtable titled "The Effectiveness of Cultural Rights in Development Programmes" on Thursday, 23 January, from 11:00 am to 14:00 pm. The event witnessed the participation of a number of experts and academics, addressing the topic of cultural rights and their importance in the context of sustainable development.

The session was opened by Professor Naji Moulay Lahsen, who welcomed the experts and civil society organisations, and provided a background for discussion on the effectiveness of cultural rights through sharing the experience of Morocco and Egypt.

The Advisor Ayman Fouad began by reviewing the Egyptian experience, referring to civil and political rights and international conventions that emphasise the need to respect cultural rights. He also addressed the cultural diversity in Egypt, including the Nubian and Alexandrian cultures.

In the second part of the session, Professor Taleb Boya Zaydna spoke about the effectiveness of cultural rights through the new development model, stressing the importance of activating mechanisms and to advance cultural rights. He also touched on Hassani culture as an oral culture, reviewing best practices for protecting Hassani cultural heritage, as well as the programmes and challenges facing this heritage in the southern regions of Morocco.

At the end of the event, strategic recommendations were made by some activists including the members of the Youth Organization For international cooperation to improve the realisation of cultural rights in the southern provinces, reflecting the participants' commitment to promote awareness and attention to local cultures in development plans.

This event emphasises the importance of integrating cultural rights into development strategies to ensure sustainable and inclusive development that meets the needs of diverse communities.