Collective intelligence is increasingly showing its ability to solve problems inherent to societies, on a small or large scale. In Morocco, several experiments in the genre have borne fruit, particularly in the context of the implementation of the new development model, noted experts during a webinar focused on collective innovation.
If there is no model of Moroccan institutional co-construction, apart from the mode of tribal “deliberation” of yesteryear, experiments have been launched in recent years, particularly at a micro-territorial level small douars to try to curb organizational problems but also in the process of setting up the New Development Model, noted several experts during a webinar organized by the citizens’ initiative OTED, under the theme “Playing collectively in Territories, towards an alliance contract bringing collective innovation”.
This way of reviewing the decision-making model and listening to the inhabitants, by adopting a break from the vertical model between decision-makers and citizens, towards a horizontal model, was at the center of discussions with the citizens who laid down the foundations of the development model of tomorrow in Morocco.
Thus, Lex Paulson, Lex Paulson, Director of the School of Collective Intelligence of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Benguerir, explained the members of the Special Commission in charge of the development model, participated in workshops with young students and students from the Benguerir region, sitting in focus groups of 4 or 5 participants and broke the vertical relationship and created a typical Moroccan model of facilitated “guided storytelling”.
The participants selected for their cognitive diversity and brought together by their motivation to contribute, spoke about their personal experiences and the problems they encountered during their life, the members of the Commission then returned this data to them, to make examples that have provided avenues for problem solving.
“King Mohammed VI was well aware of these major changes, the complexity of the problems, the expectations and frustrations of Moroccan citizens, he identified these dysfunctions, he called the special commission, these 35 people who were extremely diverse in their experience and journey, and launched the commission in a spirit of inclusiveness and participation,” said the collective intelligence specialist.
Lex Paulson believes that one of the reasons why King Mohammed VI validated this model co-constructed by Moroccan citizens, “was because this new model embodies collective intelligence”.
“The commission based itself on 3 main axes, multi-channel to open several channels of feedback from Moroccan citizens, to maximize the diversity of contributions, to give free speech with the condition of respecting the Moroccan Constitution and the fundamental institutions of the kingdom, and there were people from the left, from the right, from the center, people who wanted to disrupt everything and others who wanted to preserve everything,” he explained.
And to estimate that diversity, in this kind of experience is fundamental, and that the approach that has been favored has been to make “test and learn”, a strategy that adjusts by taking a step back. “We have developed together methods of specifically Moroccan-Moroccan consultations”.
Collective intelligence has demonstrated by its strategic unifying nature, that it is a source of innovation, of complementary positioning, and also a factor of trust.
It proves to be of help for public institutions, and the mode of governance, makes it possible to solve the problems of declining confidence of citizens in traditional institutions which is manifested by the increase in the rate of abstention in elections, especially in the countries Westerners, for example, or to help new generations in search of belonging and to identify and project themselves.
In Morocco, the question of territorial leadership is central in the establishment of a new Moroccan model, close, representative of Moroccans, and for the moment the country is part of the experiment.
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