As part of International Entrepreneurship Week, the Legal Clinic (CJFD) of the Faculty of Economic and Social Legal Sciences at the University Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah (USMBA) in Fes and the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) organized a training for students in partnership with the Observatory of Technology and Corporate Governance and the Regional Council of Fes- Meknes. The theme of the training was “Entrepreneurship from Vision to Implementation,” which took place on Friday, November 20, 2020.

Those present at the training included several entrepreneurship specialists: Mr. Mustafa Ghalib, Mr. Abderrahman Haddad, and Mr. Abderrahim Shmiaa. The Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Social Legal Sciences at USMBA, Dr. Mohammed Bouzlafa was also present in addition to the director of the Legal Clinic, Mr. Said El Bakkouri, and Director of Programs at High Atlas Foundation, Ms. Imane Akhezzane.

The subject matter experts began by presenting their professional backgrounds and their history of engagement with entrepreneurship in a professional capacity through the formation and strengthening of various partnerships. Mr. Mustafa Ghalib shared with the group that entrepreneurship is a lifestyle that begins with a vision, followed by actions and the application of various skills in order to create a company.

In the rural world, the creation of cooperatives and other organizations is a vital component in the capacity building of young minds in order to benefit employability, according to Mr. Abderrahim Shmiaa. The facilitators shared that vision must be at the core of all activities because it allows us to visualize the future and our direction, without detaching ourselves from the values of sharing, an important element in our lives.

The facilitators then shared a quote from Marcel Proust: “The true voyage of discovery is not about looking for new landscapes, but about having new eyes.” This sentiment allowed the participants to consider the impact of communication and perception of things. Mr. Ghalib presented the participants with information related to the nervous system and how it relates to motivation. He shared that motivation is the means of engaging the parties by manipulating the three components that form the basis of the creative unconscious: cognitive mind, somatic mind, and field-relationships/system.

According to the facilitators, limited beliefs and motivational growths are states of mind that impact us either positively or negatively. An entrepreneur is a project manager that has the role as the lead with a vision of the future, and they must manage the means to reach an objective.

Mr. Ghalib shared his recommendations to break into the field of entrepreneurship. He shared with participants that they must follow their intuition and stay true to their beliefs. He highlighted the importance of vision in guiding their path. He also shared the importance of mission and ambition in reaching their goals, and that of good communication and a strong network of contacts.

Entrepreneurship is first of all a choice, but it is also an adventure for those who have the capacity to take risks. Above all, it is necessary for an entrepreneur to reflect on their vision, values, and mission before making decisions.

The session concluded with a lively discussion with many questions on how to develop the young entrepreneurial spirit. In a part of the world where the higher level of education results in a higher likelihood of unemployment, discussions such as these which focus on empowering students to achieve their goals are vital. This session was one of several trainings organized by the High Atlas Foundation that is designed to prepare students to become practitioners of pro bono legal aid to people in vulnerable situations in the Fes-Meknes region.

Learn more about how you can support the efforts of the Legal Clinic here.

The High Atlas Foundation is working in partnership with the Faculty of Economic and Social Legal Sciences at the University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah (USMBA) in Fes to operate and grow a Law Clinic and Legal Aid program which actively engages students in experiential and service learning for the benefit of marginalized communities in the Fes-Meknes region. The project is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).