On April 30, 2026, the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences in Oujda hosted the official welcome session for the second cohort of the Legal Clinic Program. The meeting was led by professors Hamid Rbii, Mohamed Saadi, and Louay Abdelfattah, alongside Ms. Sanae Benaadim, Program Manager at the High Atlas Foundation (HAF).

This initiative is implemented by the HAF in partnership with Mohammed I University as part of the “Enhancing Civil Society–University Engagement” program, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy. The program aims to strengthen collaboration between universities and civil society organizations (CSOs) while promoting experiential, practice-based learning for students.

The session provided an overview of the program’s objectives, structure, and expected outcomes. Discussions began with an introduction to the Legal Clinic model, including its growing presence within Moroccan universities and its role in bridging academic learning with real-world legal practice.

Participants were also introduced to HAF’s mission and ongoing work in Morocco. As a Moroccan-American nonprofit, HAF is dedicated to advancing sustainable human development through a participatory approach that empowers local communities. Its initiatives span key areas such as organic agriculture, women’s empowerment, youth development, education, and health.

Within this framework, the Legal Clinic Program seeks to equip students with practical legal skills by engaging them directly with the challenges faced by Moroccan society. Through a combination of training workshops and field activities, students will develop the competencies required to effectively transition into professional legal careers.

Experiential Learning and Community Impact

A core component of the program is its hands-on, community-oriented approach. Students and CSO representatives will participate in capacity-building workshops before engaging in fieldwork through mobile legal clinics across the Oriental region.

Under HAF’s supervision, students will collaborate with CSOs to organize these mobile clinics, providing legal information and free consultations tailored to the needs and priorities of local communities. All consultations will adhere strictly to ethical standards, including confidentiality and professionalism.

In addition to mobile clinics, the program includes a range of complementary activities, such as:

• Women’s empowerment workshops
• Community-based participatory initiatives led by students
• Legal awareness campaigns
• Workshops organized by CSOs within their communities
• Public outreach through radio programs

An Engaging and Interactive Exchange

The session fostered a dynamic and interactive environment, with students actively engaging in discussions and raising thoughtful questions. Key topics included the training schedule, the selection process for CSOs, the organization of field visits, and the overall duration of the program.

Looking Ahead

The meeting concluded on an optimistic and forward-looking note. Ms. Benaadim encouraged students to embrace a spirit of initiative, responsibility, and volunteerism in promoting legal awareness and supporting their communities.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all partners and stakeholders whose continued support makes this impactful program possible.