On July 4, 2026, I participated in a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop at the Faculty of Law of Mohammed First University in Oujda. Organized as part of the "Strengthening Civil Society–University Engagement in the Oriental Region" project, the workshop brought together representatives of civil society organizations and students from the university's Legal Clinic with a shared goal: equipping participants to become facilitators who can deliver legal awareness workshops within their own communities.

Around me sat representatives of civil society organizations side by side with students from the Legal Clinic in Oujda, each carrying their own questions and experiences. 

I arrived expecting a typical training session. Instead, I left with a deeper understanding of how legal knowledge can strengthen civic engagement and support more effective community action. The workshop was not simply about learning laws and regulations. It was about understanding how legal knowledge can be shared in ways that empower others to participate more actively in public life.

The workshop was led by Professor Hamid Arbioui, Professor of Higher Education at the Faculty of Law in Oujda and Director of the Laboratory for Human Rights and Democracy Studies. He opened the session with a statistic that immediately set the stage for the day's discussions. According to Morocco's Ministry Delegate in Charge of Relations with Parliament, the country is home to approximately 230,000 registered civil society organizations.

The number was striking, but it also prompted an important question. How many of these organizations are actively contributing to their communities?

Professor Arbioui explained that while Morocco's civil society sector has expanded considerably, only a relatively small proportion of organizations remain consistently active. Building a stronger civil society, he noted, requires more than increasing the number of registered associations. It requires investing in the knowledge, skills, and institutional capacity that enable organizations to fulfill their missions effectively.

One of the workshop's key discussions focused on Article 12 of Morocco's 2011 Constitution. This constitutional provision established that the dissolution of associations falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the judiciary. By placing this authority in the hands of the courts, the Constitution strengthened legal protections for civil society organizations and reinforced their independence.

Understanding the Legal Framework for Civic Participation

To provide historical context, Professor Arbioui guided participants through the evolution of Morocco's legal framework for civil society. Beginning with the late King Hassan II's 1990 speech recognizing the growing role of civic organizations, he traced the country's progress toward the adoption of the 2011 Constitution, which introduced participatory democracy as one of the guiding principles of public governance.

As the role of civil society expanded, so did the need for legislation that promotes transparency and accountability. During the workshop, participants examined Law No. 18.18, which amended Morocco's legal framework governing public charitable fundraising. The law establishes clear procedures for fundraising campaigns, including prior authorization, defined campaign periods, specified geographic scope, and comprehensive financial reporting. These requirements help strengthen public trust while promoting responsible management of charitable funds.

The discussion also explored Article 13 of the Constitution, which calls for consultation between public authorities, citizens, and civil society organizations in the development, implementation, and evaluation of public policies. Participants acknowledged the importance of this constitutional principle while recognizing that its effective implementation remains an ongoing challenge.

The workshop then introduced two constitutional mechanisms that give citizens practical opportunities to participate in public affairs. The first is the right to submit legislative proposals, established under Article 14 of the Constitution and regulated by Organic Law No. 64.14. This mechanism enables citizens to propose legislative initiatives through clearly defined legal procedures. The second is the right to submit petitions to public authorities, guaranteed under Article 15 and regulated by Organic Law No. 70.21. This process allows citizens and civil society organizations to formally present proposals and recommendations to public institutions.

By the end of the morning session, constitutional provisions and legal texts no longer seemed distant or abstract. They had become practical instruments that civil society organizations can use to strengthen citizen participation, promote accountability, and contribute more effectively to public life.

The discussion then turned to the concept of legal harmonization, which refers to aligning national legislation with a country's international commitments. Rather than examining this principle in theory alone, participants explored practical examples of how it has influenced Morocco's legal framework.

One example focused on the reform of legal provisions governing imprisonment for failure to fulfill contractual debts. These provisions were revised to better reflect international human rights standards, which discourage the imprisonment of individuals solely because they are unable to meet a civil financial obligation.

Participants also examined Article 22 of Law No. 92.12 governing associations and civil society organizations, which establishes the legal conditions and judicial safeguards applicable to the dissolution of associations. The discussion reinforced the importance of due process and the legal protections available to civil society organizations.

The workshop concluded with a review of several legal concepts that facilitators should be able to explain accurately. Among them was the distinction between an Organic Law, which is adopted to implement specific constitutional provisions, and a Regulatory Decision, which is issued by the executive authority to implement existing legislation. Understanding these distinctions is essential for anyone responsible for delivering legal awareness sessions, as accurate terminology helps build credibility and confidence among participants.

Building Knowledge That Creates Lasting Impact

As the workshop came to a close, I realized that strengthening civil society is not simply about increasing access to legal information. It is about equipping people with the knowledge and skills to understand the legal framework that shapes their work and to share that knowledge with others.

This Training of Trainers workshop reflects the broader objectives of the "Strengthening Civil Society–University Engagement in the Oriental Region" project. By bringing together university students and civil society representatives, the initiative is helping build a network of facilitators who can expand legal awareness within their own organizations and communities.

I left the workshop with a renewed appreciation for the value of legal education. When legal knowledge is accessible and shared effectively, it becomes more than information. It becomes a tool that enables citizens to participate more confidently in public life, strengthens the work of civil society organizations, and contributes to more inclusive and participatory local development. The experience also reminded me that lasting change begins with people who are willing to learn, share what they know, and encourage others to do the same. By investing in the capacity of local facilitators today, we help create stronger communities that are better equipped to understand their rights, fulfill their responsibilities, and shape their own future.