WKU News

Earlier this summer, our students embarked on an incredible journey of exploration and learning in Morocco. The trip included visits to ancient burial grounds, trekking through the Sahara Desert, seeing the cave of Hercules, collaborating with Moroccan students and many other enriching experiences. A standout moment during their adventure was the invaluable opportunity to visit the Parliament of Morocco, leaving a lasting impact on one of our juniors, Mallory Hardesty. 

Reflecting on the significance of the visit, Mallory shared her thoughts,"This was a big deal for all of us. The Moroccan Parliament is rarely seen by anyone outside of government roles. Witnessing such an influential part of their history and government was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."  

Morocco's Parliament is composed of two houses, the House of Representatives (lower house) and the House of Councillors (upper house), each serving distinct roles. Both chambers agree and collaborate on national issues and work in the interest of their constituents. Members of the House of Representatives are elected to five-year terms, while members of the House of Councillors serve six-year terms. During their visit, students had the privilege of exploring the entire Parliament building, gaining first hand insight into the inner workings of the Moroccan government. Inside the lower house chambers, they observed the location where many legislative actions crucial to the functionality of the Moroccan government take place. The prime minster attends every month to answer the oral and written questions addressed to the government. But overall, the main role of Parliament is to monitor and control the work and laws stated by the government.  

In a brochure handed out to students, the Parliamentary Diplomacy of the House of Representatives explains the impact and influence of diplomacy in their functioning government. “Parliamentary diplomacy is a modern tool of communication between peoples of the world. A tool thanks to which members of Parliament contribute to strengthening friendship and cooperation ties between countries and support just causes for the people they represent.” 

The study abroad trip to Morocco proved to be an extraordinary opportunity for our students to delve into the country's rich cultural history and engage in meaningful conversations that broadened their global perspective. Thanks to the help of Moroccan officials who debriefed our students, Ismail Maache, Mustapha Ahniche, Hayat Siboub (Public Relations Department of the Parliament of Morocco) and the Head of the Socialist Party who coordinated the visit. The tour of the Parliament building offered a unique glimpse into the functions of governments on an international scale, leaving a profound impact on our students' understanding of the world. 

Overall, the experience was truly enlightening, as the group learned about the legislative process and political dynamics of Morocco and participated in many other activities throughout the study abroad program, which will undoubtedly shape our students' futures.