Fédération Européenne des Écoles held its Annual General Assembly on April 22-23, in Marrakech, marking its return to Morocco after 15 years of exclusively hosting the event in Europe, and highlighting the Kingdom’s growing positioning within the global higher education and vocational training landscape.
The gathering brought together more than 560 institutions from 44 countries, convening academic leaders, institutional representatives and economic stakeholders around a central theme: transitions. In a context shaped by rapid transformations across educational, technological and economic environments, discussions focused on evolving pedagogical approaches, digital transformation, and the societal, demographic and environmental challenges that are redefining training models and skill requirements worldwide.
Speaking on the occasion, Claude Vivier Le Got emphasized that the choice of Morocco was driven by a strategic rationale, noting that the country represents nearly 10 percent of the network and serves as a natural bridge between Europe and Africa. She added that FEDE has graduated more than 70,000 students in Morocco over the past two decades, underscoring the network’s structuring role in the development of higher and professional education in the country.
The Assembly’s proceedings were enriched by contributions from high-level speakers, including Raphaël Liogier and Javier Gómez Prieto, alongside representatives of professional organizations and private sector actors. Their interventions provided cross-disciplinary insights into ongoing transformations and future trajectories of the sector, both in Morocco and internationally.
Read also: Morocco’s Educational Reforms and Future Challenges
Beyond formal sessions, the event served as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among member institutions, fostering the exchange of best practices, the strengthening of partnerships, and the consolidation of academic collaboration. Moroccan institutions – representing around 35,000 students within the network – featured prominently in these dynamics, reflecting their growing engagement within FEDE’s international framework.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, FEDE presented its 2026 Human Rights Award, an initiative inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and aimed at promoting student engagement with universal values. The ceremony took place in the presence of the representative of the Council of Europe in Morocco, highlighting the institutional dimension of the distinction, which is placed under the high patronage of the organization.
A total of 18 prizes were awarded to 40 students from 10 institutions across five countries – Morocco, France, Belgium, Romania and Senegal – with a notable presence of Moroccan initiatives led by students from institutions based in Marrakech and Meknès.
Founded in 1963, FEDE is an international non-governmental organization that federates more than 560 institutions across 44 countries. It holds recognized status with several international bodies, including the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Through its network and programs, the federation delivers a structured academic offering covering more than 170 European diplomas across 12 areas of excellence. It focuses on practical skills acquisition, alignment with labor market realities, and enhanced employability, within a framework of international cooperation and pedagogical innovation.
