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Political Party Building
The International Republican Institute (IRI) works with Morocco’s political parties to strengthen their ability to represent and improve the lives of Moroccan citizens – providing assistance to party leaders, elected officials and grassroots activists. Through targeted trainings and one-on-one consultations, IRI is supporting party efforts to reach out to new voters.
A series of multi-party conferences on platform building and policy formation covering a range of issues, including job creation, job training, housing, agriculture, infrastructure development, taxation, trade, and women and youth empowerment has brought together political parties, civil society, business and academic leaders to produce policy analysis and recommendations. These efforts are helping party officials develop policies and campaign platforms in the run-up to the 2009 municipal elections.
During this pre-electoral period, IRI is helping parties to adapt their operating procedures in compliance with the new law that addresses the operation and public financing of political parties that is designed to encourage a more cohesive, competitive and transparent political environment.
Polling is an important tool for policy makers to better understand the concerns of their constituents and shape policies that address voter priorities. To support IRI’s political party training program and consultations with national party leaders, the Institute has conducted nationwide public opinion polling and focus group research. This survey research provides national political actors and party activists with critical information about the priorities of voters, public opinion on the necessity of political reforms, and the performance of political parties.
IRI’s first poll following the 2002 parliamentary elections provided insight into the public’s perception of party organizations and political reforms. Subsequent polls have examined the underlying reasons for Moroccan voter apathy, and the public’s perception of the country’s current reform projects. The polls also examined the most important issues of concern among Moroccan voters, and underlined their overriding concern with the country’s unemployment and living conditions. IRI has used these results to help the political parties understand and utilize modern campaign techniques.
In 2008, IRI conducted an extensive research project, along with Moroccan political parties, to examine the make-up of their supporters and activists through focus groups and survey questionnaires in the cities of Casablanca, Marrakech and Fez. This program has provided valuable data on the composition of supporters and activists, and the parties are using the information to better organize membership databases, mobilize supporters and target outreach efforts.
Young Leadership
High levels of mistrust towards political parties have led to voter apathy. Citizens, especially women and youth, don’t believe that the parties are addressing their concerns or representing their interests. To help address this, IRI is conducting a comprehensive youth-in-politics program that trains young Moroccans on leadership and candidate development and helps parties develop effective youth outreach strategies and organizations.
IRI is meeting with the national, regional, local and youth leadership of each party to assist in the development of specific platforms that express youth needs, interests and demands. Additionally, IRI is working with the parties to develop the capacity of youth wings in the areas of recruitment, internal communication, grassroots organization, youth voter outreach and messaging. Emerging young leaders and activists, particularly women, are being targeted for leadership and candidate training.
Governance
At the municipal level, IRI has worked with local and regional elected officials and grassroots development associations to encourage and reinforce good governance practices. Through hands-on development programs, IRI has helped to strengthen the performance of elected government, and increase dialogue between elected officials and the communities that they represent.
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