Purpose and objectives of the “ Desert Action Association ”.

Dakhla, Morocco.

 

Targeted since the association was established in February 2017.

 

The ultimate goal of the Desert Action Association, in Dakhla City, Morocco, is to enhance scientific research and economic development (R&D) on Deserts, Arid Lands, and the Sahara, in an approach of thinking globally (Internationally) and acting locally.

The Desert Action Association was established in Dakhla city, in February 2017, by an initiative of Dr. Elouali Aailal. It is the first Moroccan, African, and International organization, specializing in Arid Lands, Desert, and Sahara economic development, business, management (oases and remote rural areas development), and promoting, attracting, and encouraging investment in the Sahara and deserts (arid lands).

The Desert Action Association - Dakhla aims to:

1. Promote deserts, the Sahara, and arid lands economy, development, and management (hot drylands, semi-arid regions, oases, and remote rural areas), in all its dimensions, and contribute to raising awareness of its importance and exploring its horizons and exchanging experiences and expertise with international stakeholders on deserts, Sahara, and arid lands.

2. Conducting studies and scientific research on the Sahara, deserts, and arid lands (hot drylands, semi-arid regions, oasis, and remote rural areas) and contributing to determining priority areas for research and sustainable development on the Sahara, deserts, and arid regions.

3. Working to link education, teaching, professional training (vocational training), and scientific research (R&D) with desert qualifications through the creation of applied and academic disciplines in various aspects related to desert economics, the Sahara, and arid lands sciences and development: Tourism (desert tourism, Saharan tourism, Oasis tourism), travel industry and tourism economics; Livestock economics, management, and production; Agriculture, aquaculture, and agricultural economics (rural economics); The Economics of water, drought and water scarcity management; Renewable energy, energy economics, and energy management; Mining and natural resource management; Transportation and logistics; Fisheries, maritime, sea, and ocean economy; Economics of space (space economy) and space industry; Technology and innovation; Water sports and entertainment, sports economy and sports management; Cultural and creative industries, tangible and intangible heritage; Biodiversity, wetlands, environment, and nature conservation and management

4. The construction of Desert Universities (The Sahara University), Desert Faculties (The Sahara Faculty), Desert Research Institutes (The Sahara Research Institute), Desert Research Centers and Laboratories (The Sahara Research Center and The Sahara Laboratory), Desert Schools (The Sahara School), Desert Research Stations, Desert Experimental and Field Stations (The Sahara Experimental Station,The Sahara Field Station, Desert field experimental farms and ranches, desert stations for outer space research, experiments, and simulation). With different study levels: License, Bachelor, Master, Ph.D. Calling to begin with building a Faculty of Desert and Marine Sciences and Institutes dedicated to Desert and Marine Sciences (Ocean Sciences, Sea Sciences), where students could do experimental and theoretical scientific research and study Desert and Sea professions. The construction of such Faculty (University, institute) on Desert and sea sciences (Crafts and professions) is the best way to contribute to arid lands development by understanding the theoretical, applied, and professional (professional training) sciences (research) on deserts (Arid lands, Sahara)and ocean (marine, maritime) knowledge, with particular focus on the complementarity between deserts and seas (oceans).

5. Attracting and encouraging investment in the Sahara and deserts (arid lands), marketing and promoting it, and highlighting its potential in terms of investment opportunities.

6. Proposing the idea of organizing an International Congress on Desert Economy, in the Dakhla city, as the first international event of its kind, and as an interdisciplinary scientific research platform on the desert, arid lands, and the Sahara (hot drylands, hyperarid or semi-arid regions, oasis and remote rural areas)economy, management, and development (rural development), in order to contribute effectively to the good governance and in the sustainable development of arid lands worldwide, by attracting and promoting investment opportunities in the Sahara anddeserts, and by stimulating meetings between all stakeholders on a global scale: Academics, Professionals, Policy-Makers, Civil society and NGOs..., with a view to fostering cooperation and partnership, among desert countries: Africa and the Gulf States (the MENA and the Sahel...), the United States of America, Australia, China, India, South America..., with the aim of valuing and promoting the desert knowledge and its related studies' and conferences' findings and recommendations, and creating a conducive environment to the exchange of experiences, expertise, trainings, educational practices and innovation, around themes related to the desert economy and to the arid lands management.

7. A special call for the creation of an annual Prize named "The Théodore Monod Desert Award", to pay tribute and honor the memory of this exceptional man who devoted his life to scientific research on the desert and arid lands, and to acknowledge his human qualities and his pioneering efforts on desert and Sahara studying and exploring. The idea is to annually award this Prize within the framework of the editions of the International Congress on Desert Economy - Dakhla, to encourage and enhance, on an international scale, the scientific, economic, and development studies and research on deserts (arid lands, Sahara), in its different aspects: Scientifics, economics... 

8. Organizing national and international economic and scientific meetings (conferences, forums, congresses, seminars,..), training and workshops, and field visits related to the desert and arid lands research and development (R&D).

9. Concluding national and international cooperation and partnerships conventions related to the desert and arid lands research and development (R&D).

10.  Construction of experimental desert stations (Desert field stations in the middle of the desert) for desert and arid lands applied and experimental research (natural sciences, agriculture, and farming, flora and fauna sciences, natural resources, meteorology, technology, space industry and simulation in the desert …), in Oued Ejjanna (The Paradise Valley) located in the Tires Sahara desert, in the Dakhla Oued Eddahab region, and also in other Moroccan desert regions.

11. Encouraging desert tourism (Saharan tourism) and promoting it by highlighting the complementarity between desert tourism and sea tourism, by cooperation with the nearest top international sea and beach tourist destinations, like the Canary Islands, and contributing to a vision that aims to make the Dakhla region a leading international tourist destination.

12. Propositions to the elected officials and political deciders to encourage the baccalaureate (High School Graduation) laureates by providing grants to continue their studies in the main economic sectors needed on arid lands and desert regions, to the world-leading countries: Tourism (France, USA, Spain, Italy...), marine economy, sea and fishing (Sweden, Norway, Denmark....), Agriculture and farming (USA, China, Holland, Australia...), Energy and natural resources sector (Germany, USA, UK, China...)...

13. Organizing workshops and training on Saharan and desert tourism, for human resources working in the tourism sector and touristic transport (4by4 vehicles drivers), with a particular focus on four proposed subjects: 1- Communication Skills, Languages, and deontology of tourism (travel and hospitality). 2. The Sahara and the desert: A Scientific view VS A Traditional view. 3. Tourism Management and Marketing. 4. Internet, Social Networks, and Computer Science for Tourism. 

14. Raising awareness for university students and high school pupils… about astronomy and space field experimentation and space simulation in the desert, and about the economic potential of the space industry (space economics) and space-related activities that take place in Deserts, Sahara, and Arid lands.

15. Empowering desert women and promoting desert entrepreneurship and rural entrepreneurship.

16. Incubating and supervising projects and model startups, especially for young people in the central desert economic sectors: Saharan and desert tourism, adventure tourism, entrepreneurship in the desert, desert business, desert sports management, water (aquatic) sports management, energy management, energy economics, and energy entrepreneurship, livestock economics, livestock management, livestock production (The cattle: camels, sheep, cows…)...

17. Writing to policymakers, officials, stakeholders, and institutions concerned with these goals and initiatives (ministries, universities, elected councils ...).