The establishment of a University Chair dedicated to the Alliance of Civilizations was decreed during the 9^th Edition of the UNAOC Forum on the Alliance of Civilizations, held in Fez on November 22-23, 2022. The High Representative of the UNAOC, His Excellency Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, announced the creation of this Chair at a press conference held at the end of the forum, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Nacer Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates. This decision was made, especially after the great success of the Forum, including the Youth Forum, which brought together more than 300 students from 74 countries and was organized at the EUROMED UNIVERSITY of Fez.

The establishment of this Chair is more imperative today than ever, given the current context dominated by the resurgence of identity retreat, religious tensions, xenophobia, and the rise of fundamentalism around the world. Against the logic of subtraction, stigmatization, and confrontation, whatever the pretexts and reasons may be, isn’t it the role of every university to teach not only science but also coexistence, openness, otherness, and the co-construction of a shared future and vision?

This is what the EUROMED UNIVERSITY of Fez has been committed to since its founding. Because the mission assigned to it by royal decree emphasizes the creation of academic and scientific programs and structures capable of educating students in various disciplines and specialties to embrace the values of civilizational dialogue and intercultural exchange

This mission holds a profound historical and epistemological significance. On one hand, it claims the heritage of Al Qaraouiyine University (historically one of the world’s earliest continuously operating universities) in promoting disciplines that reconcile faith and reason, with the aim of strengthening the bonds of coexistence in Africa and throughout the Mediterranean region. On the other hand, it aligns with the traditions of humanistic rationalism and the enlightenment, which rejected fanaticism, contributed to the balance of the international system, and paved the way for a humanity enriched by its diversities.

But this is not the sole motivation for the implementation of this transformative project. At the EUROMED UNIVERSITY of Fez, administrators and faculty members believe it derives its legitimacy from at least four important considerations that should be taken into consideration.

The first consideration is that the choice of Fez for establishing the Chair is beneficial. Throughout its history, this city has been the crucible in which these components have intersected and combined with the diverse elements that make up the Moroccan identity, including Andalusian, Afro-Saharan, Amazigh, and Jewish elements. It has also been a model of coexistence between civilizations and cultures. The historical symbolism of Fez is not only because this city embodies Morocco’s centuries-old civilization, but it also stems from its status as a prominent center of scientific and spiritual influence. All of this makes this flourishing city not only a historical legacy to the Moroccan people but also a universal common heritage, recognized as such by international institutions and by all visitors to the city, including eminent thinkers and prominent figures from around the world.

The second consideration is that despite the persistence of triggers for ethnic or religious violence, it is undeniable that some progress (although limited) has been made in the field of dialogue between opposing communities in different regions of the world. Hence, there is a need to capitalize on these advancements by addressing their shortcomings through the creation of academic structures that can revalue and reinforce the work that has been done. This should be accompanied by an effort to understand the motivations and incentives behind religious radicalism, identity fundamentalism, the challenges of modernity, and the fixation on what some call the “clash of civilizations” while others refer to it as the “clash of ignorance.”

The third consideration that advocates for the creation of the proposed Chair is the transformation occurring in the world at a sociological and demographic level due to official and clandestine immigration, climate change, wars, and conflicts. These phenomena, it should be noted, have led to population movements that, not always being harmonious, fuel situations of division, hatred, and rejection, perpetuated by extremist and populist ideologies. This should not leave critical analysis or academic research indifferent.

The fourth consideration, which should not be overlooked, is that educating for peace and promoting a culture of harmony among peoples requires long and often challenging work. It opens up an immense field of investigation, such as the need to conduct an overview of everything being done in this field by other institutions. While the EUROMED UNIVERSITY of Fez certainly possesses important assets to tackle this challenge, common sense demands the adoption of a specific approach based on high-level cooperation, collaboration, and synergy with a globally renowned and influential partner.

In this context, there is unanimous conviction within the EUROMED UNIVERSITY of Fez that the United Nations’ Alliance of Civilizations is the ideal and most suitable partner to establish such a project, enabling young people from around the world to “make sense of a disenchanted world.”

It is known that as early as 2005, the United Nations General Assembly, with the aim of promoting “mutual respect for beliefs and religious traditions,” adopted a resolution in support of dialogue among civilizations, with objectives including:

Combatting the demonization of the other, which challenges their cultural and religious identity.

Working towards a fruitful and mutual understanding among societies while eliminating factors that promote hatred, racism, and hegemony.

Recognizing the right of each people to live in harmony with their own institutions and with other peoples of the world.

Contributing, through dialogue, to the containment of forces that fuel fanaticism and extremism.

In order to implement these actions, the United Nations General Assembly established the Alliance of Civilizations, which, through its symposiums, activities, programs, and initiatives, engages in intensive work focused on youth, media, and women to promote peace and security in the world. The establishment of a Chair at the EUROMED UNIVERSITY of Fez dedicated to such goals will undoubtedly be a valuable contribution to the noble mission entrusted to this Alliance.

Another imperative set by this Chair is to establish a Doctoral School and a fundamental Master’s program on the theme: “Conflict Resolution and the Alliance of Civilizations”. Two complementary objectives will be achieved by combining the efforts of the Chair, the Doctoral School, and the Master’s program.

On one hand, to solidify the commitment of the EUROMED UNIVERSITY of Fez as a hub for students and researchers from diverse nationalities (currently 43 nationalities) in advancing research and educational programs centered around mediation and dialogue among communities, religions, languages, and cultures.

On the other hand, to establish unique collaboration opportunities with the organization overseeing the programs of UNAOC, encouraging the desire and willingness among students and researchers to enrich themselves differently through the virtues of belief systems, their intercultural and intercivilizational dimensions, and their commitment to deepening self-knowledge and understanding of others for mutual comprehension.

Thus, at the EUROMED UNIVERSITY of Fez, it seems certain that no project, focused on training in civilizational dialogue within the framework of human and social sciences approaches, appears more justified to the faculty than witnessing their students discard all stereotypes that justify intolerance and instead adopt the values of peaceful coexistence. Values that they can themselves promote in their respective regions or countries.