The Policy Center for the New South, a breeding ground for young talent
At the Policy Center for the New South, we are dedicated to fostering innovation and youthful energy as foundational elements of our mission. Established in the vibrant capital of Rabat in 2014, our center serves as a pillar of public good, committed to the development and refinement of public policies through an evidence-based approach and the incorporation of analytical and scientific methodologies into decision-making processes. As a multilingual think tank, we do more than generate ideas; we are a crucible for cultivating emerging talents.Our ethos is grounded in the principles of dialogue and partnership, driving us to nurture African expertise and excellence essential for the comprehensive analysis of the continent's and the globe's challenges, along with the formulation of actionable policy recommendations. The Policy Center for the New South distinguishes itself as a collaborative space, where researchers come together to disseminate their insights and benefit from an extensive network of esteemed partners from various world regions. This collaborative spirit has positioned us at the vanguard of enhancing economic and social public policies that are vital for Morocco and the broader African continent, as integral members of the global South.A distinctive feature of our Center is the youthfulness of our team, boasting an average age of around 30. This youthful vigor is a clear indicator of our belief in the transformative power of new generations in effecting meaningful change.
Dr. Karim El Aynaoui, the Executive President of the Policy Center for the New South, reflects on our journey, stating, “None of the many projects that we have led and of the initiatives we have been associated with could have been completed without the dedication and mobilization of the human capital, and the knowledge we have gradually and patiently accumulated. Our community of senior fellows and staffers has progressively expanded, and we have successfully integrated new know-how and perspectives into our endeavors. Thus, all the talent we have attracted has inseminated our intellectual production and colored it with almost limitless creativity and energy.”
Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow
Ghadir Elidrissi Raghni represents another example of the remarkable talent cultivated by the Policy Center for the New South. Recently transitioning to the GIZ as a Technical Advisor for the regional initiative WOMENA (Gender Responsive and Inclusive Politics and Economics in the MENA region) since May 2023, Ghadir reflects on her tenure at the Policy Center where she served as a Jr. Program Officer in partnerships and research support. She describes her experience as "immensely enriching," crediting the Center for broadening her perspectives and refining her skills across various fields. At PCNS, her work spanned a variety of tasks, collaborating with key partners and navigating complex challenges with finesse and resilience.
The Think Tank distinguishes itself through the diversity of its activities, fostering the development of both scholarly and practical skills. In 2023 alone, it produced 125 research outputs, including 19 books and reports. Last year, the Policy Center organized more than 21 international and 60 national events, alongside 20 webinars, culminating in 117 events. Highlights included The Atlantic Dialogues, The African Peace and Security Annual Conference, the Marrakech Economic Festival, and the Africa Economic Symposium.The Center's research endeavors and its team of 111 professionals continue to grow, structured around three core areas. Emphasizing gender parity, about 50% of the staff are women—a testament to the Center's commitment to equality. These teams are pivotal in organizing events, fostering partnerships, and promoting research.
Over 20 permanent researchers across two distinct teams—International Relations and Economics—engage in year-round research as part of a triennial program, complementing their efforts with contributions to strategic analyses and the Public Policy Lab. Moreover, the Center is supported by 43 Senior Fellows from 12 different nationalities, who are seasoned experts bridging the South and North. These Fellows contribute to publications, major conferences, and research program development, sharing their knowledge with Junior Fellows.
Marcus Vinicius de Freitas, a Brazilian political scientist and Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, along with a Visiting Professor at the China Foreign Affairs University and the Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation in Sao Paulo, applauds the Center's distinct and influential role. “This is an exceptional platform for public policy discourse in the South,” he notes. Highlighting the North-centric focus of many think tanks, Freitas admires the Center's initiative to foster a network that prioritizes Southern perspectives and challenges. He remarks on the effective engagement and substantial contribution of young individuals in these discussions, underscoring their role as tomorrow's leaders.
Empowering Minds: The Policy Center's Investment in Human Capital Shapes Global Economic Discourse
Hamza Saoudi, a 31-year-old Senior Economist at the Policy Center for the New South, showcases a notable career initiated right after his graduation from the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA). Early in his tenure, he was instrumental in preparing a key book on macroeconomic and stabilization policies for developing countries, marking the beginning of a series of contributions to international economics, trade, and inequality issues alongside Senior Fellows. Hamza highlights the Center’s dedication to youth empowerment, offering young professionals the chance to collaborate with and learn from senior fellows and SMEs as “their receptiveness and willingness to assist young professionals foster a conducive environment for career development, enabling them to progress and advance while concurrently enhancing their professional expertise”.Specializing in inclusive growth, the informal sector, and inequality in developing countries, Saoudi's work now also covers macroeconomic stabilization, international trade, and long-term development. Reflecting on his seven years at the Policy Center, Hamza states: “I had the privilege of contributing to the World Bank's recently published report titled "Informality and Inclusive Growth in the Middle East and North Africa." In this role, I led the consultations on the informal sector in Morocco, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of informality and its profound impact on economic and social development.”
An incubator with an academic scope
The Policy Center distinguishes itself not just as a research hub but also as an academic incubator, fostering a breadth of research across various themes and empowering its members to venture beyond their areas of expertise.
Oumaima Bourhriba, a 29-year-old economist at the center and a PhD candidate at Mohammed V University in Rabat, exemplifies this spirit. Her involvement in coordinating the Africa Economic Symposium (AES) allowed her to sharpen her organizational skills while contributing to vital economic discussions in Africa. Since joining the Policy Center in 2019, Bourhriba has leveraged the center's collaborative environment to delve into macroeconomic policies and international trade, engaging with global experts and contributing to projects with institutions like the World Bank and the IMF. “I was able to engage in enriching discussions on hot topics and structural issues. I have had the privilege of contributing to research projects and collaborating with renowned international institutions such as the World Bank and IMF on books namely "Trade Policy in Morocco: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead" and "Morocco's Quest for Stronger and Inclusive Growth.” expresses Oumaima.
Similarly, Tayeb Ghazi, a 37-year-old Senior Economist and PhD candidate at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh, embodies the center's commitment to generating impactful research and advocating for sustainable development and inclusive growth in the Global South. With expertise in economics and finance, Tayeb's research spans labor markets, education, migration, and international trade within developing economies. “The work we do at the PCNS is driven by this culture of crafting policy recommendations grounded in facts and evidence. Guided by this spirit, we endeavor to contribute to nurturing our ecosystem with this culture.” Tayeb highlights.
His journey from a research assistant to a senior economist underscores the center's role in nurturing professional growth and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration to influence policymaking positively.
Proximity to public policy
Amal El Ouassif, Senior International Relations Specialist at the Policy Center, emphasizes the importance of engaging with public policymakers. “Our discussions with decision-makers enrich our understanding of public policy's practical aspects, which we aim to influence”, she states. This commitment to connecting research with policy action is ingrained in the think tank's ethos from its inception. Additionally, Amal is in the final year of her PhD program in FGSES and CNAM-Paris. She earned a Master of Arts in EU’s International Relations and Diplomacy Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges and a Master’s in Development Studies from UPMF-Grenoble. Her area of interest revolves around Africa-Europe cooperation and migration. “PCNS for me represents a safe and sure space for reflection and fruitful exchanges with likeminded people who are animated by the values of excellence, sharing a common sense of duty towards the society and community.” she expresses.
Rim Berahab, a Senior Economist with a focus on energy, emphasizes that the allure of research extends beyond academic dialogue to its application in shaping real-world economic landscapes. "Our work transcends academic discourse, aiming to convert technical analysis into strategies that tangibly affect our societies," she explains.
At the Policy Center for the New South, the cultivation of critical thinking and public speaking skills is paramount, achieved through pedagogical strategies that emphasize collaborative projects, oral presentations, and vibrant idea exchanges. Through its commitment to a multidisciplinary approach and diverse training opportunities, PCNS creates a nurturing environment for young researchers. This framework encourages the exploration of varied perspectives, underscoring the center's role in fostering innovative public policy solutions.
Abdessalam Saad Jaldi, an International Relations Specialist at the Policy Center for the New South, has an extensive academic background with degrees from the Universities of Strasbourg, Nancy, and Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne, culminating in a Ph.D. in International and Comparative Law. Joining the PCNS in September 2019, Abdessalam's research now delves into the dynamics of the Maghreb, EU, international law trends, and power shifts in the Indo-Pacific. He observes, “The PCNS acts as a crucible for innovative thinking within Morocco's evolving socio-political landscape, addressing national development models, legal reforms, and Morocco's regional cooperation”. He pursuits, “the Center prioritizes educational methodologies that foster responsibility, collaboration, public engagement, and humanistic values among its researchers, contributing to an enriching and dynamic experience.”Rising from a Research Assistant to a Senior International Relations Specialist, Jaldi is also teaching at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University at the Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Science, demonstrating the synergy between teaching and research at PCNS.
Mohamed Bassi spent three years at the Policy Center for the New South as a Data Science Specialist, leading different projects related to armed conflicts in Africa, commodity markets, and economic research across the continent. “My tenure at the PCNS provided significant international exposure through engagements with diplomats, researchers, and experts, enriching my understanding of global issues. Following my time at the PCNS, I transitioned to a role as a Research and Development Consultant at Leyton, and subsequently, joined Arias Tech Solutions as a Senior Data Scientist, where I apply my expertise in Mathematical modeling and Artificial Intelligence to international projects addressing complex challenges.” He states.
The Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders (ADEL), a Community of Impact
Engaging in intergenerational dialogue is at the core of the Policy Center's mission. With a focus on leadership and youth empowerment and inclusion, especially amidst demographic transitions, the Policy Center prioritizes these areas. In countries like Morocco and across Africa, where the youth constitute over half of the population, their voices are crucial in shaping public policy.
Hence, annually, in anticipation of the Atlantic Dialogues, the Policy Center for the New South hosts a cohort of 30 to 50 young professionals aged 25 to 35. Hailing from diverse regions around the Atlantic—Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean—these individuals, encompassing bright entrepreneurs, researchers, journalists, and civil society activists, participate in the Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders (ADEL) program. The program's reputation and distinctive approach have drawn thousands of applications in recent years.
Fatine Cherkaoui, Manager of the Emerging Leaders Unit, describes the essence of the program: "The Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders program fosters a unique platform where young professionals gather to build connections that last well beyond the program's conclusion. It's more than a network; it's a fabric of collaboration, where participants often meet future key partners in their professional paths."The program also uniquely emphasizes youth engagement during its three-day conference. After two days of coaching and discussions led by renowned experts, ADELs have the opportunity to present at the podium and interact freely with the 450 attending experts and policymakers.Moreover, ADEL operates year-round, inviting some of its 420 alumni to contribute to global conferences, as well as to Policy Center publications and events. Promising young leaders also author and co-author chapters in major Policy Center annual reports, while some receive support for their social impact projects.
