IRI Launches Community Clean-up Campaign

April 9, 2004

March 19 – An IRI local government pilot project, undertaken in cooperation with the Sidi Moument local council in Casablanca, culminated with the launch of the “Sidi Moumen Community Clean-up Campaign.” The project brings local elected officials, local association leaders, and students together to address environmental conditions in the community through public-private partnership and volunteerism.

The March 19 event, attended by IRI Morocco Director John Anelli, included an awards ceremony for a student art competition undertaken as part of the effort. Over 400 students from 15 Sidi Moumen schools participated in the competition to heighten public awareness of citizen responsibility to contribute to clean and sanitary public spaces. In the coming months, many of the same students will participate in a volunteer community clean-up program coordinated through local associations and overseen by the council.

IRI local government pilot projects in Morocco are intended to provide working models of enhanced performance by local elected councils. IRI is currently facilitating negotiations between Sidi Moumen local associations, the council and a private company on entering into a formal public-private partnership for managing the program.

###

A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy worldwide