The Center of Women and Democracy
International Delegation to Morocco, November 6 – 15, 2009
This year, the Center for Women and Democracy led the “International Delegation to Morocco”, November 6-15, 2009. We traveled to Rabat and the ancient city of Fez to explore leadership challenges facing women in Morocco. The Center brought a group of 38 women to Morocco consists of other women politicians, academics, attorneys, activists, and community leaders. The group was led by Senator Lisa Brown, the Majority Leader in the Washington State Senate, and the first woman Democrat to hold the position.
Why Morocco?
Morocco has been a leader in the fight for equality in Muslim countries. It is considered one of the first Arab countries to elect women to more than 10% of its Parliament. The Center’s goal was to establish connections, exchange ideas and learn about each other cultures through forums, site visits, workshops and briefings of the Moroccan Parliamentary, business and other women leaders, entrepreneurs and community activists.
The focus of the center included political empowerment, women in business, youth leadership issues related to civil rights and education, and visits to rural women at cooperatives outside of Fez.
Flying from Seattle to Paris November 6, 2009
Friday, was an exciting day. I left Seattle to participate in the international delegations in Morocco with the Center of Women and Democracy. The flight was long but I didn’t mind it knowing that later I will be roaming in Paris for 6 hours with other delegates. We tentatively planned to visit downtown Paris and see the Eiffel Tower if possible. I met Autumn Lerner at the airport where we took the train to down town Paris. She seemed to know her way around, which was perfect coz that meant I don’t have to worry about getting lost- which I didn’t mind either. Lost in Paris, yes that sounded cool 🙂
As we walked toward the Eiffel tower, it became bigger and huge. Although, I wasn’t that impressed as I thought I would be but it was spectacular. I knew the limited time that I have won’t be enough to enjoy this historic piece. Another planned visit was needed. To enjoy and record the moment, I took pictures of every angle of the tower that was within my view. We walked around the area and went straight to view the art that was displayed in the streets. It was cold but luckily wasn’t raining. You might think 6 hours is a long time but by the time we walked around, it was time for us to head back to the airport to catch our next flight to Morocco. It was a good quick taste of Paris and could imagine coming back during the summer time and enjoy sitting outside in the hot sun in a Parisian café. Oh lah lah.
We arrived at Casablanca at around 6pm. A van was waiting for us to transfer us to Rabat. After an hour driving to Rabat, we dropped our luggage at the “Softel Diwan” Hotel, we joined the women delegates at “Dinarjat” restaurant for dinner and orientation. This was the first introduction to the delicious Moroccan cuisine.
Here are some pictures of Paris…
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- Eiffel Tower
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- Voila Paris mes amis…
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- Pretty small ehh!!!
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- Eiffel tower from the east side.
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- Walking around the Eiffel tower area.
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- Voici Ma chapeau!!! Tres belle eh
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- Street Art- living under the fire…
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- Lost in the sea!!!
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- I was lost but now I’m found…
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- Thump it up
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- Dinarjat restaurant- Rabat group orientation at 7pm (4)
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- Dinarjat restaurant- Rabat group orientation at 7pm
Lubna Mahadeen Blog 