Gibraltar recently participated in the 6th Mediterranean Academy for Youth, held in Assilah, Morocco, following an invitation from Yassine Isbouia, the Founder and President of FOMEJE (Mediterranean Forum for Youth), and national coordinator for the No Hate Speech Movement for Morocco.

The Mediterranean Academy for Youth is an international initiative that brings together young people, youth organisations and institutional representatives from across the Mediterranean region to promote dialogue, active citizenship, intercultural understanding and international cooperation. Through workshops, seminars and collaborative activities, participants are encouraged to develop leadership skills, exchange ideas and build partnerships that contribute to the sustainable development of the region.

This year's Academy brought together young people from Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and Finland, creating a vibrant forum for discussion, cultural exchange and the sharing of experiences. The programme highlighted the importance of empowering young people to play an active role in shaping the future of the Mediterranean through cooperation, innovation and mutual respect.

Gibraltar's attendance reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to strengthening its relationships with partners across the Strait and supporting initiatives that foster educational, cultural and youth engagement.

The Minister for Developing relations with the Kingdom of Morocco, The Hon Prof John Cortes MP, said: "I am delighted that Gibraltar was invited to the 6th Mediterranean Academy for Youth. Initiatives such as this provide invaluable opportunities for young people from different countries and cultures to come together, exchange ideas and build lasting friendships based on mutual respect and shared values. I would like to thank the Director of FOMEJE for the invitation and the warm hospitality extended to Gibraltar. We look forward to continuing this relationship and to developing new collaborative projects that will benefit young people in Gibraltar, Morocco and across the Mediterranean."

Project Coordinator for the Ministry responsible for developing relations with the Kingdom of Morocco, Mark Montovio, who attended the event added: "The Academy demonstrated the tremendous value of creating opportunities for young people from different backgrounds to work together. It was particularly encouraging to see participants from Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and Finland engaging in meaningful dialogue and collaborative learning. Gibraltar values the relationship that has been established with FOMEJE, and we look forward to discussing future projects that will further strengthen cooperation, cultural understanding and youth engagement between our organisations."