June 10, 2008 and June 21, 2010: Two key dates in the history of the young Amadeus Institute.
Brahim Fassi Fihri
June 10, 2008 and June 21, 2010 are two key dates in the history of the Amadeus Institute. The first one marks the creation of the Institute. It was the starting point of a new think tank in Morocco. Over a short period of time, this think tank has become a real power house of analysis and recommendations. The second date corresponds to the launching of our new website, which serves as an essential tool for a think tank of international stature. The site will enable us to share our views, our analysis and proposals on national and global issues. It is more interactive, dynamic and accessible to a greater number of readers. In brief, the site will be available in three languages (Arabic, French and English) in order to make our work available to all those who want to better understand the world around them.
Our think tank is action-oriented and this new website will allow us to better spread our opinions and recommendations. It will also enable external contributors and political figures to speak out on key issues.Through the “Opinion of the President” section of the website, I'll share with you my thoughts on key issues informal and relaxed setting.
I would like to inaugurate this section of the website by paying a special tribute to Si Abdelaziz Meziane Belfkih, Advisor to His Majesty. I was saddened to hear about his death on May 9. This tragic loss of the young mastermind behind the "Morocco in Movement” project will leave a huge void. Morocco has not only lost a very high ranking state commissioner, but also one of its geniuses.
Through this first post, I would also like to condemn sharply, the hideous, unjustified and inexplicable Israeli aggression on the international humanitarian freedom flotilla heading to Gaza. In doing so, the Israelis defied international law and attacked aid workers, thus preventing them from helping a population under a two year double blockade (do not forget the southern border of the Gaza Strip). The Netanyahu government has once again gone against the international community. By attacking the flotilla a few days after the first round of indirect negotiations, the Netanyahu government received only a unanimous international verbal criticism. Israel will continue doing what it wants, and will control the timing and agenda of future negotiations. Without a strong international community capable of putting pressure on Israel, and without joint action from the Arab-Muslim community officials, successful negotiations will not be achieved. Likewise, the unity of the Palestinian community is essential to the peace process. Unfortunately, these three factors have never seemed so far away as they are now.
The launch of our new website, which coincides with the second anniversary of the Amadeus Institute, also provides me with the opportunity to thank very warmly all those who contributed from near and far to the development of our think tank. I am thinking of the Amadeus Institute team, our partners and the 300 speakers who have participated in our Forum over the past two years.
