Preserving Heritage: Princess Lalla Hasna Leads Cultural Foundation's Strategic Initiatives

In a significant gathering today, Princess Lalla Hasna, the esteemed head of the Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Rabat, chaired a board meeting that highlighted the organization's achievements over the past two years. The meeting underscored the foundation's commitment to safeguarding Rabat's rich cultural legacy and fostering educational initiatives.

During her address, Princess Lalla Hasna emphasized the foundation's collaborative efforts with local partners in the realms of culture and education. The foundation has been actively engaged in raising awareness among students about their city's heritage through innovative educational tools designed to make cultural concepts accessible. This approach aims to instill a sense of pride and responsibility regarding the preservation of local traditions.

The foundation has also introduced adaptable programs that resonate with Rabat's unique geographical and historical context, exemplified by educational initiatives launched in Taroudant. These programs not only promote cultural understanding but also enhance international cooperation, particularly through partnerships with organizations like UNESCO, which commends the foundation's role in integrating culture and education within schools.

Highlighting the foundation's dedication to research and public awareness, Princess Lalla Hasna reiterated the importance of cultural mediation initiatives. These programs are designed to create a dynamic environment for heritage preservation, engaging experts, institutions, civil society, and the general public.

The years 2022 and 2023 proved to be pivotal for the foundation. It successfully implemented two educational programs: "Draw My City’s Heritage" and "Discover My City’s Heritage," both aimed at integrating heritage into educational practices. Participants explored themes such as climate change and intangible heritage through artistic expressions during these programs.

Students from primary schools benefited from guided exploratory visits led by experts to UNESCO World Heritage sites in Rabat. Meanwhile, the "Discover My City’s Heritage" program underwent enhancements in its activities and content, providing secondary school students with immersive experiences that foster a deeper connection to their cultural sites.

In its outreach efforts, the foundation launched a digital initiative to preserve the Oudaya Kasbah and created an exclusive virtual tour of this historic site. Additionally, exhibitions such as "The Rabat Carpet: A Weave of Arts" and "Rabat: A Heritage for Humanity" showcased local craftsmanship while promoting public engagement through podcasts documenting collective memory.

The foundation also organized five expert meetings that gathered numerous local and international stakeholders to discuss various topics related to cultural heritage. Notably, discussions on "Heritage and Climate Change" were aligned with events at COP28, where the foundation hosted parallel activities in collaboration with UN-managed zones.

Expressing gratitude to all partners for their unwavering support, Princess Lalla Hasna reinforced the foundation's commitment to transparency and accountability as it approved financial statements reflecting accurate operational results for 2022 and 2023.

Established by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Rabat aims to protect both tangible and intangible heritage. The city was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012 under the designation "Rabat: A Modern Capital, A Historical City: Shared Heritage."

Princess Lalla Hasna has initiated an ambitious strategy to raise awareness among residents and visitors alike about the significance of preserving their cultural heritage. The foundation operates on three core pillars: education, awareness-raising, and collaboration among stakeholders.

Rabat's heritage serves as a powerful catalyst for social cohesion and economic development. The foundation continuously engages communities through initiatives aimed at familiarizing them with their cultural legacy, particularly targeting youth to foster appreciation and stewardship.

Through its educational outreach programs, the foundation develops various platforms for cultural heritage while organizing workshops and scientific meetings that invite experts from around the globe to share insights and strengthen Morocco's cultural preservation efforts.

This collaborative approach underscores the necessity of protecting Morocco's rich heritage through shared expertise and resources among institutional, public, and private entities.