ANDD represents another example of Morocco’s strive for innovation, but more specifically, the role women play in it. With all the site visits we have attended, I’ve gotten the idea that Morocco is very centered around keeping tradition while also leveraging things like social media to sustain those industries. This applied especially today, where the women artisan crafters were showing their businesses and explaining how they use social media to advertise to clients on a global scale.
I believe the core mission of ANDD represents other institutions like Anou, women’s cooperatives, and UPM6. Although their business models and services are different, they all feel uplifting and focused on creating opportunities for Moroccan people who are not as fortunate. All of these institutions use technology to their advantage because teaching people these skills reduces inequality and creates opportunities that may not have existed before. This includes giving teenagers access to quality education, teaching rural women entrepreneurship, and allowing women to forward their Moroccan-made products to other parts of the world.
One thing I noticed was that all organizations struggle somewhat with funding. Although this funding comes in different proportions depending on the company, it appears to be something they are all looking for in order to boost their rhythm and growth. I made this connection when our speaker today said they were currently looking for a sponsor, and I related it back to my group’s presentation on Technopark Casablanca, where the woman mentioned that one important step forward would be receiving more global funding.
I’d say all of the organization’s missions are very clear and aligned with the overall goals of the Moroccan economy. The only differences I can think of are the scale of each organization and the services they offer. Some focus more on preserving tradition, while others focus more on innovating for the future, but all of the companies are involved with both in some way by making knowledge and mentorship more accessible.
The women today were truly inspiring. Although they spoke little English, it was great to see them have the confidence to come up and present their services and journeys to us. It shows their commitment to their businesses and their willingness to step out of their comfort zones. They also showed a lot of adaptability, a key skill in entrepreneurship, in order to stay competitive.