Nearly 250 students from the Higher School of Technology (EST) in Essaouira participated on Wednesday in a marine waste collection campaign on the beach of the City of Alizés.
Initiated by the International Center for Research and Capacity Building (CI2RC), in partnership with the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) and with the support of several institutional and associative partners, this eco-citizen day aimed to raise awareness among participants and the general public about the importance of preserving the coastline and the marine environment.
In addition to the waste collection operation, this action called “Blue Act Day” was marked by a series of educational and fun activities, including workshops to raise awareness of environmental issues, artistic exhibitions around recycling, and competitions aimed at encouraging initiatives in favor of sustainable development.
In a statement to MAP on this occasion, the president of CI2RC, Khouloud Kahime, indicated that this campaign is part of a global dynamic aimed at strengthening the commitment of young people to environmental protection while working to promote a participatory and inclusive approach.
“This initiative, which goes beyond the framework of a simple ecological action, aims to celebrate the role of Essaouira as a pioneering city in terms of environmental sustainability at the national level. It also reflects our commitment to making ecological issues a priority and to establishing the City of Alizés as a model of sustainable development on an international scale,” she specified.
For his part, Mohammed El Mounjih, an official in the Social Action Division (DAS) at the Essaouira provincial prefecture, highlighted the role of INDH in supporting environmental initiatives and raising awareness among young people about ecological issues.
“This action is fully in line with the sustainable development dynamic of the city, which relies on its natural and cultural heritage to enhance its tourist attractiveness while preserving its environment,” he affirmed.
Approached by MAP, Aya Ait Koubi, a student at EST, expressed her enthusiasm for participating in this event, noting that this type of initiative is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness among young people about coastal protection and encourage them to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.
The same sentiment was echoed by student Zakaria Ayyad, who praised this commendable initiative, believing that it fosters ecological awareness among younger generations and encourages them to integrate eco-responsible behaviors into their daily lives.
For their part, other participants, including supervisors and representatives of partner associations, expressed their satisfaction with this collective mobilization, wishing to see such initiatives multiply in the future for better protection of the natural heritage of the Pearl of the Atlantic.