IBUS 6402: Graduate Global Enrichment in Morocco

This program will focus on Morocco and site visits that demonstrate how business can be a force for good.

The program will focus on Morocco as a developing nation. Morocco has had a sizable trade deficit in the last decade. Historically, the country has relied on agriculture and phosphates as its main exports. Due to government initiatives, this has been changing, and electronic equipment and automobile exports have been increasing. Additionally, Morocco has imported up to 95% of its energy. The export of food and import of energy have increased the economic risk for the country.

The government has set a goal to be more self-reliant. It is working to achieve this goal by using its resources (natural and human) in culturally-focused ways to improve the country’s resilience and the outcomes for its citizens.

1. Human-Focused Development and Entrepreneurship: Morocco has historically had a male-dominated economy and, more recently, has been experiencing high youth unemployment rates. In ignoring women and younger people, Morocco has not taken advantage of its human capital to grow and increase self-reliance. The country has several programs that have been initiated that are focused on the country's unemployed (and mostly rural) youth. It also has multiple programs to empower women to continue education through high school (rather than dropping out upon menarche to marry). Many of these programs focus on education and entrepreneurship. Because the country's culture is generally risk-averse, entrepreneurship has not been an accepted path for its citizens. This is changing as the younger population embraces social media and entrepreneurship as a path to a successful future career. We will see, in practice, Business as a Force for Good.
2. Sustainable Agriculture: One speaker said, “Exporting watermelon is like exporting our water.” In a country that has limited rainfall, this seems remarkable. The export of water-intensive crops for a country suffering from declining rainfall and aridification seems like a bad idea at best. We will visit a farm that focuses on regenerative agriculture and permaculture to turn “dead soil” into an oasis of crops that feed local families. We will learn about an initiative to help local farmers plant trees to receive carbon credits for the betterment of their communities. We will learn about initiatives to more efficiently use the water that is available to grow hardy crops.
3. Sustainable Energy: Morocco also faces risk due to its reliance on other countries for its energy.  Mineral fuels, including oil, were still its top import in 2021. Heavy reliance on imports for all fossil fuels has clear implications for Morocco’s energy security and economy. Morocco is focusing on using its own resources to produce energy; it has set a goal of 50% of its energy coming from renewable resources. It is home to one of the largest solar farms in the world and has hosted sustainable energy conferences attended by world leaders. It is also home to many wind farms in coastal regions. 
4. The Morocco Way: Though western nations have developed programs addressing the same issues that Morocco faces today, Morocco is developing its methods and initiatives that focus on local culture and getting community buy-in to ensure that these initiatives take root and become part of the ecosystem of each community.