With a strong foundation of community, institutional, and governmental support, in both cities, the University of the Middle East Project (UME), based in Somerville, MA, and the UME Association of Moroccan Alumni (AMA) are promoting the full potential of this extraordinary exchange.This partnership is integral to UME’s mission to build cross-cultural understanding through professional and educational exchanges between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa. The first step was a trip to Tiznit, Morocco, in December 2009, that brought together educators, health practitioners, artists, local government, and members of non-profit organizations from Somerville and Tiznit to develop formal ties between the two communities.

Over 100 participants from the US and Morocco came together along with a number of prominent guests, including the governor of the Province of Tiznit, the president of the Regional Council of Souss Massa Daraa, the public affairs officer from the American Consulate in Casablanca, and the president of the Moroccan Association of Sister Cities International.

The five-day trip to Morocco comprised cross-cultural dialogue sessions, site-visits to local social service organizations and cultural sites, and a wonderful gala celebration (indicative of the extensive hospitality of the people of Tiznit) with Gnawa and Awhach music and dancing. Memorandums of Understanding were signed between institutions of the two cities, including between Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Somerville and Mayor Abdellatif Ouammou of Tiznit, with the intent to work together on issues of mutual concern and benefit.

To learn more about this extraordinary exchange directly from some of the Somerville participants, read UME's newsletter.