On January 24-25, 2018, NCSC partnered with the Moroccan Ministry of Justice to organize an International Conference on Observatories of Crime. NCSC Experts Simone Ginzburg and Laura Klaversma, and representatives from Observatories in France and Tunisia participated in the conference and shared insight into the structure, role, and research of Observatories around the world.
The Conference provided an opportunity for Moroccan stakeholders of the future Observatory to interact with representatives of functioning Observatories to discuss challenges and best practices in the creation of an Observatory, and the development of research to inform criminal justice policy. The Conference marked the first time all stakeholders of the future Observatory met with foreign counterparts to exchange information and discuss best practices and challenges encountered by their Observatories.
More than 70 representatives from the Ministries of Justice and Interior, judicial authorities, the legal profession, academia, law enforcement, and correctional services participated in the Conference. The Minister of Justice opened the Conference and announced the creation of the Observatory. The Moroccan Observatory was officially established in February 2018. Recommendations resulting from the debates provided the Ministry of Justice with information that will contribute to the effective operation of the Moroccan Observatory.
The Justice Sector Feasibility Studies Program is implemented by NCSC under a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The program concluded on March 31, 2018.