As part of an “Information Campaign on the Risks of Irregular Migration” within the project SafeJourney, three appointments were organised by Progettomondo in the town of Béni Mellal from the 20^th to 23^rd of September.

The project, founded by the European Union, is the result of a multilateral partnership between Progettomondo, The Trade Union Institute for Development Cooperation (ISCOS), The Andalusian Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity (FAMSI) and the National Association Beyond Borders – Morocco (ANOLF).

Four days of sport and culture to strongly reaffirm the project’s goals in fighting irregular migration and promoting new legal migration routes for Moroccan and sub-Saharan citizens.

A considerable organisational effort that achieved a high participation rate among the local population and the stakeholders, all in compliance with the anti-Covid legislation. On the 20^th of September, the opening date, the football match “Irregular migration: don’t let yourself be dribbled” took place at the stadium of Béni Mellal. The match was played by the local and international team, the project leaders and the stakeholders. The game was preceded by a short presentation ceremony hosted by Concetta Mannino, the project coordinator.

The next day, the photographic exhibition “The faces of migration” was inaugurated at the Maison de la Culture in Béni Mellal and displayed from the 21^th to the 23^rd of September. The exhibition was an opportunity to remember Leila Alaoui, a French-Moroccan photographer who died in a terrorist attack in 2016. Her photos, together with the images taken during the project’s activities, reflect the pain of many young people who, pursuing the European dream, soon found themselves in a circle of agony and marginalisation.

The event ended on the 23^rd of September with the screening of the film “My name is Adil“ by Adil Azzab (2016), a feature film on the difficulties of migration narrated from the point of view of a young Moroccan who decides to leave his country to emigrate to Italy.

A film of great emotional power to end a week of great participation, involvement and exchange.

Here are the highlights of the campaign.