Former French Education Minister Promotes Diversity at Moroccan Book Fair

"Social and ethnic diversity is a real wealth that promotes the evolution of societies," said the Franco-Moroccan during this meeting, which was held as part of the 25th edition of the Casablanca International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL-2019), expressing concern about hate speech, particularly conveyed on social networks. "There are a lot of people who feel culturally insecure in their countries and fear the arrival of different people who can challenge their cultural identity," she continued.

For the former leader of the Socialist Party, this fear of the foreigner is conveyed by political leaders, aided by media coverage that lacks objectivity and by the power of social networks that "feed fear and lock people in bubbles." These means of communication create, according to Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, "individualism within societies already steeped in the lack of the notion of collective action," a challenge that political leaders must take up.

Addressing the issue of difference, the former minister said she became aware of it when she began to get involved in politics. "I started to feel this difference from my entry into politics and also during the exercise of my ministerial functions," she commented, calling for strengthening the ties between Moroccans of the World and their country of origin.