Rockin’ the Proverbial Qasbah: Strategic NGO Development in Ouauizerth, Morocco Kristen Young College of Charleston MPA Program & Creativity and Community Development: Morocco Inc.
Introduction • A prevalent social and health issue in the rural regions of many developing countries is the capacity of unstandardized education systems to provide proper health education, leadership opportunities, or critical thinking skills to adolescents in high-poverty areas.
“We have a dream: 100% education, 100% employment, 100% participation; zero disrespect, zero discrimination, zero injustice.” Tariq, 29, Sidi Moumen November 11, 2009
Figure 6. A group of Moroccan adolescents involved in a community development project with UNICEF. CCD Morocco, Inc. will be incorporating similar methods.
• As a response to this problem many nongovernmental organizations, health awareness projects, and community development initiatives have been implemented in many of Morocco’s communities.
Source:www.unicef.org
Data and Methods •
Data will be collected from a variety of sources including previous literature, as well as correspondence and interviews with individuals who influence services of CCDM; board members, students, instructors, and administrative officials. Interviews will be scheduled during field research in Ouauizerth, Morocco in May 2013.
•
Data analyzed will contribute to CCDM project development (Fig. 7) in alignment with the successful implementation strategies of similar NGO and community initiatives.
• These advancements have resulted in measureable growth in the Moroccan economy, through organizations like the World Bank and UNICEF. However, there are also many smaller charitable entities that work to enhance rural communities. • Creativity and Community Development: Morocco Inc. (CCD Morocco) is a newly formed NGO in Ouauizerth, Morocco. This case study will provide a detailed examination of the strategic development of CCD Morocco within the social context.
Figure 7. Conceptual Model for Diffusion of Innovation.
Source: Rogers, Diffusion of Innovation. 1995.
Source: CCD Morocco Inc.
Figure 4. (above): The community of Ouauizerth, nestled in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
Knowledge
Persuasion
Decision
• Relative advantage • Compatibility • Complexity • Triability • Observability
Adoption or Rejection
Implementation
Confirmation
o OUAUIZERTH •
Objective
• The primary objective of this case study is to comprehensively examine the strategic processes and developmental stages of the organization to enhance the effectiveness of CCDM and assist the Ouauizerth community.
Source: World Bank Data, 2010
Figure 3. Morocco Deprivation Indicators
Significance Living Standards
Assets
Drinking Water
Sanitation
Health
Electricity
Education
Continuation or Discontinuation Of services
• CCDM intends to use the peer education method of disseminating information regarding health and environmental issues, leadership, individual and community empowerment, and women’s empowerment to adolescents and college-age students.
Source: www.worldatlas.com
Nutrition
School Attendance
Years of Schooling 0.0%
•
Socioeconomic characteristics Communication behaviors
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
Although young people in Morocco make up 30 percent of the total population, a recent World Bank survey finds that an overwhelming 49 percent of Moroccan youth are neither working nor in school. Furthermore, idleness contributes to high-risk behaviors among youth (World Bank, 2010).
• The study will examine the strategic processes of existing successful community intervention strategies, identify the common indicators of success, and analyze the social environment where a number of intersecting factors and organizational hierarchies affect implementation and diffusion of innovation.
• Figure 8. (left) The Ouauizerth high school where CCDM will be working. • Figure 9. (above) a classroom of Moroccan students using peer education.
Source: CCD Morocco Inc.
Results • This case study will outline common aspects of successful nongovernmental programs, and address the potential for Moroccan communities to better evaluate and solve social problems through strategic local NGO development.
• The study will be used by CCD Morocco, Inc. In to mobilize support, raise awareness, and expand funding prospects. It will ultimately be used to collect longitudinal data for the organization in anticipation of future studies and will be submitted for publication be published on Electronic Hallway.
Percentage of Population who are Poor and Deprived of Each Indicator Source: Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative Data
Source:www.peacecorps.gov.
Figure 5. Source: www.globalvoicesonline.com
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dr. Jo Ann Ewalt, MPA Director; College of Charleston MPA Program; Creativity and Community Development: Morocco Inc.; and Amzwaro Association for Development.
Contact: youngkn@g.cofc.edu