The University of the Middle East Project is proud to announce the successful implementation of the Somerville-Tiznit Sister Cities Partnership in coordination with UME's Association of Moroccan Alumni (AMA).

What began as a conversation between UME's Moroccan alumni in 2008 blossomed into an incredible week of professional development and cultural exchange that UME hopes will continue to grow for many years to come.  UME would like to thank Samira Idelcadi, Brahim El Morabit, and Omar Habbaz for initiating this wonderful linkage and all AMA members under the leadership of Ahmed Atlagh for making this program such a success.

Sister Cities participants at the El Mers Cultural Center

 

The Sister Cities Partnership included over 100 American and Moroccan participants from the education, government, arts, music, and health sectors and culminated in the official signing of a Sister Cities relationship between Mayor Joseph Curtatone and City Council President Abdellatif Ouammou.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone and President Abdellatif Ouammou with signed Sister Cities Memorandum of Understanding

The Sister Cities Partnership brought together numerous noteworthy guests including Mr. Driss Benaddou, Governor of the Tiznit Province, Mr. Brahim Hafidi, President of the Regional Council of Souss Massa Daraa, Ms. Elizabeth Gracon, Public Affairs Officer from the American Consulate in Casablanca, and the President of the Moroccan Association of Sister Cities International, Mr. Boubker Mazoz.

Signing Ceremony at the Province (State House) of Tiznit

 

This program received widespread press coverage including the Edition Principale on SNRT, the Moroccan national radio and television station.

Click here to view the story on YouTube.

Radio Plus, Journaux du Maroc, Wana, and the Boston Globe also covered the program.

UME President Hala Taweel being interviewed for SNRT

Activities during the five-day program included multi-sector dialogue sessions designed for Somerville and Tiznit participants to create joint projects to benefit both communities.  These sessions were facilitated by Elizabeth Gruenfeld, longtime UME faculty member, Rebecca Davis and Melissa Gang from American University.

Community Building Activity for Sister Cities Participants

Joint project visualization activity between Somerville and Tiznit participants

Participants also attended site visits in Tiznit specifically tailored to each sector.

Lahcen Benoiri VP of the Tiznit City Council, Governor Driss Bennadou, Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Vincent McKay, Assistant Superintendent for the Somerville Public School District, as well as Paul Bockelman, member of the Somerville School Committee, at the Ecole Primaire 18 Novembre

Karen Krolak and Ruth Faris at an argan oil workshop at the Amoudou Association

Somerville artists David Colombo, Pauline Lim, and Cynthia Maurice with Tiznit artists and students from the Al Massira School

The Uariachi Hoop Camp, sponsored by the U.S. embassy at the Al Massira Elementary School

UME and the American participants were treated to the wonderful hospitality of the people of Tiznit at a gala celebration that featured Gnawa and Ahwach dancing and music as well as the signing of MOU's between institutions in Somerville and Tiznit.

Welcoming procession at the Sister Cities Gala Celebration

Gnawa musicians outside the Gala Hall

UME staff and alumna: Fatima Kaliyati, Robina Bhasin, Hala Taweel, Galia Shokry, and Elizabeth Gruenfeld at the Gala Celebration

Gala Celebration Hall

To see youtube videos of these events click on the links below:

gala celebration

outside gala celebration

MOU's were signed between the Somerville and Tiznit school systems, two schools were "twinned", and the Brickbottom Artists Association and the Amoudou Cultural Association also partnered.

MOU between Brickbottom Artists Association and the Amoudou Cultural Association

MOU between the Somerville and Tiznit School Systems

Many thanks to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, the City of Somerville, the City of Tiznit, the Regional Council of Souss Massa Draa and the Moroccan American Cultural Center for their sponsorships.

Special thanks to the American Embassy in Rabat, the American Consulate in Casablanca, Sister Cities International, and the Moroccan Association of Sister Cities International for their guidance and support.

Your donation to help UME continue its work in the Middle East and North Africa is sincerely appreciated.

Please click here to donate securely online.

Sincerely,

Ray Matsumiya

Executive Director