Appendix Ⅱ U.S. Foreign Assistance Request: Near East: Morocco

摘要

The Kingdom of Morocco continues to be a reform-oriented nation and a close partner of the United States. The country has instituted impressive reforms to liberalize trade relations with the United States and other countries, stabilize macroeconomic policy, improve education, and open the political system. Elements of extremism emanating from Morocco continue to threaten the stability of this traditionally moderate Islamic kingdom. The central, cross-sectoral challenge facing Morocco today is youth disaffection and marginalization, particularly among males. Youth, which comprise approximately 46 percent of Morocco's population, suffer from lack of access to a quality education, unemployment, and a lack of opportunity for political participation. U.S. assistance focuses on supporting the Government of Morocco (GOM) and building institutional capacity in the areas of democracy, education, and economic growth to meet the opportunities and challenges posed by the growing youth population.