CHAPTERS
In conceptual research, the study provided by Mohamed MLILESS, Smail KEROUAD, and Mohammed YACHOULTI scrutinizes the opportunities and constraints facing the implementation of environmental education (EE) and environmental humanities (EH). Their work provides outstanding information on the two different but complementary concepts. Their objective is to define the two concepts and to provide a chronological account on the emergence of the fields. The benefits of this reflective work are many and varied. The work sheds light on the current status of the concepts in the Moroccan context and argues that things might look different if we learn from experiences and conscious activities to understand how EE and EH are adopted in different parts of the world. This reflection aims to explain the importance of EE and EH for a rapidly changing society that is facing many environmental challenges, the integration of which may provide accurate tools to teach environmental problems for Moroccans in schools and universities. In other words, Moroccan schools and universities must prepare learners to better understand the natural environment, to integrate it, in the most accurate themes and approaches in primary, secondary, high school, and university levels. The aim of EE and EH, then, is to make students understand their connections with the natural world. Above all, the implementation of the two concepts surely will offer students hope to live in a saint and safe world. Generally, the work focuses on EE pedagogy, sketches the status of EE in the Moroccan school, displays the challenges facing the integration of EE in Morocco, and suggests some ways of integrating EE in Moroccan. Interestingly, a second part of the work presents fields of research, teaching methods and challenges in implementing EH in the Moroccan context.
(Mliless, Kerouad & Yachulti, 2021)
Environmental Education and Environmental Humanities Bridging the Gap between Teaching and Research.
It is usually believed that the role of international NGOs is meant to reinforce environmental justice all over the world. However, it is not the case with the Environmental Justice Organizations Liabilities and Trade’s (EJOLT), whose approach seems distorting the real picture in the Moroccan Sahara. Against the expectations and principles of environmental justice, the EJOLT has targeted many achievements made in the region in the area of economic and social development. From its perspective, the exploitation of the region’ resources is an environmental justice issue given the fact that the Polisario front – an armed militia that has been fighting Morocco over the territories for more than 45 years – has not been consulted about the extraction and trade of such resources. To argue for this position, the EJOLT preferred taking a pro-Polisario disinvestment stand in the region claiming that environmental justice should prevail, making a separatist movement benefit from the disputed resources. In the same vein, EJOLT uses a political discourse which considers that the exploitation of the region’ resources is a ‘reinforcement of the occupation by Morocco’. To demystify such a discourse, this chapter examines the EJOLT’s homepage and extracts its narratives using the content analysis (CA) method. The first investigation revealed that there are six infrastructures targeted by the EJOLT. The analysis also revealed that the EJOLT uses a biased discourse – mostly distorted and defamatory – that failed to provide the real picture of the population in the region. Moreover, the EJOLT argues that the Polisario militia which lives in the Algerian territory, NOT the Moroccan population living in the Moroccan Sahara provinces, must benefit from the existing resources. Similarly, the rhetoric used in the narratives has failed to recognize that one million inhabitants inside the Moroccan Sahara have been directly benefiting from the many projects developed in the region. Equally important, the results show that EJOLT’s discourse aims at triggering violence, insecurity, and instability in the region, thus serving potential interested agendas.
(Mliless & Larouz, 2022)
Reporting International Conflicts Through the Environmental Discourse: The Moroccan Sahara Conflict as a Case Study
Environmental protection has become a central issue among scholars as they reflect on the sustainability of human societies, species, cultures, and languages. To assure the transfer, transmission, and interpretation of knowledge among cultures and communities, the role of translation is vital and primordial to make sure that every sign reveals its meaning when it is interpreted or further translated into another sign. Ecotranslation is a new paradigm in translation studies that takes an ecological approach to translation. Within this framework, the present chapter examines the eco-documentary entitled “الزرقاء البØيرة أنين : Whining of the Blue Lagoon” by Faouzi (2012) from the interlingual and the intralingual levels. Alternatively, the voiceover narrator interlingually translates scientists’ reports from French into standard Arabic, and he intralingually transfers laymen’s narratives from Moroccan Arabic into standard Arabic. The purpose is to study whether the double translation process has faithfully accounted for the transposition of French and Moroccan Arabic texts into Standard Arabic, the exclusive language of the documentary. For this aim, we examined the faithful representation of linguistic structures using Stibbe's (2021) notion of “erasure,” a process by which something important is completely excluded from a text, replaced by a distorted version of itself, or partially erased but a trace of it is still present. The results show that the translation process suffers from many pitfalls and inaccuracies. For instance, many deficiencies were detected as a set of scientific terms were erased, either totally or partially. Similarly, the findings revealed that the voiceover fails on many occasions to provide the linguistic counterparts of some of the items and structures that the laymen witnesses communicated in Moroccan Arabic. To cope with the translation pitfalls in both discourses, the study observed that the producer of the ecodocumentary, either intentionally or not, resorted to a technique we call “the articulation of narration and image on screen” to fill in the gap of translation. Finally, the study has many implications for ecodocumentary producers, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and future research to investigate other types of translation in eco-documentaries to demonstrate how man has harmed environmental resources.
(Mliless & Larouz, 2022)
Ecotranslation in Moroccan Ecodocumentary Interlingual and Intralingual Pitfalls
The Sahel region, a vast land that stretches across the African continent just south of the Sahara Desert, is currently struggling with a multidimensional humanitarian crisis of alarming proportions. Several interrelated factors have contributed to this dramatic situation. Humanitarian crises in the Sahel region, whether caused by conflicts or natural disasters, necessitate international intervention as the influx of refugees into neighboring countries has created tensions and conflicts amid local populations, potentially destabilizing them. In the Sahel, the complex interplay of political instability, extremism, economic challenges, climate change induced factors, and illicit trafficking and criminal networks present a significant challenge to regional and international peace and stability. Political instability in many countries within the Sahel creates a vacuum that is exploited by extremist groups and criminal networks. These entities have particularly flourished in this region where the rule of law is weak, thereby exacerbating existing instability. As a consequence, the unstable situation perpetuates a cycle of violence that further undermines political stability and spills over into neighboring regions, thereby threatening international peace. For instance, extremist groups pose a direct threat to peace and stability. Their ideologies, particularly those inciting violence and terrorism, have resulted in the deaths of thousands and have created a climate of fear that forces others to flee regions of tension. In such a volatile environment, economic challenges fuel social unrest, which in turn feed into the already prevalent political unrest. Furthermore, economic hardships make individuals in the Sahel more susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups or involvement in illicit activities as a means of survival. On a larger scale, economic instability in the region has repercussions for the global economy, further destabilizing international peace. Climate change-induced factors compound these challenges. Droughts, floods, and extreme weather events exacerbate economic difficulties by disrupting agriculture and other key sectors. These environmental crises have forced millions of people of the Sahel to move to more favorable areas. The displacement of populations has led to humanitarian crises that strain resources and increase tensions within and between regions. Finally, the Sahel has evolved into a crossroads for illegal trafficking and criminal networks, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, and the illegal arms trade. These illegal operations not only undermine law and order, but they also deny governments’ much-needed money. Insecurity and instability in the region not only jeopardise the well-being of its residents, but it also support transnational crime, terrorism, and irregular migration, raising it to a worldwide problem. Illicit trafficking and criminal networks not only contribute to local insecurity, but they also have global consequences.
(Mliless, 2023)
Instability in the Sahel Region: Threats and Challenges
The peace, security, and well-being of inhabitants in the landlocked countries of the AfricanSahel are threatened by numerous issues. These include man-made factors such as extremismand military coups, as well as impacts driven by climate change, including displacement andinsufficient nutrition. The international community is called upon to consolidate its efforts torestore peace and stability. There are divergent views on the approach to this crisis. Someadvocate for immediate military intervention or the deployment of peacekeeping missions as aswift solution to the aforementioned threats. Conversely, others propose non-military initiativesto restore peace and improve the socioeconomic situation of the region. In this context, thecooperation and shared development approach, initiated by His Majesty King Mohamed VI inhis speech on the 48th Green March Day on November 6th, could serve as a local and regionalstrategy to address the security and humanitarian challenges threatening the Sahel. His MajestyKing Mohammed VI posits that the crisis in the Sahel cannot be resolved solely through securityand military measures. Instead, he advocates for an approach based on cooperation and shareddevelopment measures that facilitate access to the Atlantic Ocean for the Sahel’s landlockedstates. While military interventions in the Sahel may have political consequences, such asrestoring political structures and pursuing coup perpetrators, they may also exacerbate poverty,cause displacement, and worsen migration. King Mohamed VI’s integrated development andcollaboration method, although potentially slower, promises socioeconomic benefits for theregion and its leaders. This article aims to shed light on the potential outcomes of thesedivergent strategies, with a focus on the security, humanitarian, social, and economic aspectsof the region that necessitate robust development and governance plans.
(Mliless, 2024)
Examining Solutions to Sahel’s Security Threats
Military Intervention, Peacekeeping Missions, and Shared Development Cooperation
Military involvement in a country’s governance and public affairs can have profound and far-reaching impacts. These impacts can be seen across various domains, including political, economic, social, and international relations. This study delves into the multifaceted role of the Algerian Army within the nation’s political, economic, and social spheres, and its consequential impact on regional security. It scrutinizes the intricate relationship between the military and political power, the army’s control over scarce resources, and its economic involvement. The Algerian military’s engagement in various international situations is also examined. The study reveals that the military’s influence permeates national borders, significantly shaping regional security dynamics. This research employs a theoretical analysis methodology, underpinned by established theories and prior research findings. The assumptions made are substantiated and serve as the foundation for logically developed and coherently presented arguments. The findings suggest that the military exerts considerable influence on social media, information dissemination, press freedom, and the education sector. Furthermore, the military’s influence is found to extend beyond national borders, markedly affecting regional security dynamics. This is exemplified by the army’s extensive cooperation with neighboring countries, particularly its involvement in border disputes and territorial conflicts with Morocco. The study aims to enrich understanding of the Algerian Army’s pivotal role in regional security and its central role in shaping Algeria’s trajectory, offering valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and observers of Algerian politics.
(Mliless, 2024)
Algerian Army’s Encroachment on National Democracy and Regional Security.
Geostrategic Pulse
This article looks into the intricate structure of Iran’s increasing power in the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular emphasis on its strategic cooperation with Algeria, referred to as “The Fifth Gate.” Using a compilation of scientific papers, strategic analyses, and news accounts, the research closely explores important variables such as Iran’s connections with Baghdad, Sanaa, Damascus, Beirut, and Bahrain, shedding light on the political, proxy warfare, strategic, and unsuccessful influence dynamics in these regions. Furthermore, the article explains Iran’s desire for Algeria as a gateway to the African continent, examining the strategic ramifications and Iran’s infiltration techniques in conflict zones.
(Mliless, 2024)
Iran’s Expanding Influence: Algeria the Fifth Gate
Geostrategic Pulse
This article delves into the dual-use dilemma of artificial intelligence within the realm of law enforcement and criminal activities. The first section, explores the potential misuse of artificial intelligence in amplifying criminal activities. For this aim, many elements will be adopted to explain the darker aspects of artificial intelligence, discussing its potential exploitation for malicious purposes. This includes the generation of fake content, the automation of social engineering attacks, evasion of security systems, execution of ransomware attacks, data pollution, and unauthorized access to devices secured by artificial intelligence. Each of these areas presents unique challenges and threats to security and privacy, underscoring the need for robust countermeasures. The second section on the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing law enforcement services, offers a more optimistic perspective on artificial intelligence’s potential. It discusses how artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency and accuracy, reduce human error and bias, improve decision-making, optimize resource allocation, strengthen community ties and public safety, and contribute to crime reduction. However, these benefits come with their own set of challenges, particularly in terms of ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in artificial intelligence systems. Collectively, these two sections illuminate the complex and multifaceted relationship between artificial intelligence, law enforcement, and criminal activities. They underscore the need for a balanced approach that maximizes the benefits of artificial intelligence while minimizing its potential misuse, highlighting the importance of this issue in the contemporary digital landscape.
This chapter focuses on the integration of environmental awareness into early childhood education for sustainability in five countries: Morocco, Argentina, Iraq, Nigeria, and Indonesia. The chapter emphasizes the importance of early childhood education for sustainability, which encompasses environmental awareness. It draws on scientific research and reports to explore existing programs and practices that engage children in environmental awareness. Interestingly, this chapter begins with an exploration of “early childhood education,” laying the groundwork for the subsequent discussion by introducing this fundamental concept. Next, the focus shifts to “early childhood education for sustainability,” building on the initial foundation by integrating the crucial element of sustainability. Then, the chapter delves into the intersection of “environmental awareness and early childhood education,” having established a solid understanding of both early childhood education and sustainability. This is followed by a detailed examination of “environmental education,” offering a comprehensive look at this specific aspect and its implications. The penultimate section concentrates on “early childhood environmental education (ECEE),” tying together all the previously discussed concepts and focusing on the application of environmental education within the context of early childhood in the five countries involved in this book. Finally, the chapter concludes with a practical demonstration of these theoretical concepts through “children’s drawings.” This tangible representation of environmental awareness in early childhood education serves to ground the preceding discussions in real-world examples, thereby emphasizing the importance and applicability of the study’s findings. This logical progression from broader concepts to specific applications not only facilitates a thorough understanding of the subject matter but also underscores the relevance and impact of early childhood education for sustainability.
Environmental awareness (EA) is an environmental education objective to develop a population that is aware of and concerned about the environment and its challenges. Many pedagogical methods and techniques are used to raise such awareness. In preschool education, children need to be taught about the damage and overexploitation that humans are inflicting on nature. Though this issue has been scientifically documented in different parts of the globe, in the Moroccan context, studies on children’s environmental drawings are scarce, unexplored, and not well explained. The aim of this chapter is to explore the multiple perspectives of environmental meaning-making in Moroccan preschool children’s drawings to reveal early traces of EA formation among preschool children. To examine this issue, 91 drawings were collected from three kindergartens in Oujda, Meknes, and Tata. The socio-semiotic approach (Kress, van Leeuwen, Reading images the grammar of visual design. Routledge, New York, 2021) was adopted to account for the significance of the environmental elements depicted in children’s preschool drawings. Specifically, the study uses a hybrid model that combines the principles of information, contact, framing, and salience. The results show that EA is weak among preschool children in Morocco. However, the study assumes that the drawings are significant in terms of what they reveal about connections that bind children to natural elements. In a naïve and innocent way, the drawings reflect that the environment (a place of joy, play, and entertainment) should be preserved. Additionally, the results show that the drawings were intertwined with many elements that pertain to the categories of the environment, humans, and objects. According to the socio-semiotic model, the results indicate that (1) certain elements were particularly prominent, (2) drawings were close to reality, and (3) children demand care and preservation of natural settings. This study has many implications for educational officials, teachers, and future research. At an early age, children need to be informed and sensitized to the importance of the environment. More than that, educational materials and activities must be integrated at this level to improve preschool children’s awareness of preserving the environment.
Technology is evolving rapidly, leading to increasingly sophisticated terrorist threats that challenge global security. Efforts by states to mitigate these risks often fall short, as terrorists adapt their techniques, especially through new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Research in cybersecurity is essential for awareness and protection. Counterterrorism strategies must evolve to address advancements in technology and the complexities of the dark web, where terrorist activities proliferate. Effective monitoring and legislative measures are crucial for enhancing security and combating these emerging threats.
The discourse articulated within the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COPs) exerts significant influence on the formulation and implementation of effective climate policy. This study investigates the evolution of climate change discourse within United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP) reports from 1995 to 2024. Guided by Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Corporate Environmental Discourse Theory, Environmental Communication Theory, and Ecolinguistics, the current mixed methods study attempted to analyse the framing of 'Climate Change', 'Pollution', and 'Global Warming' across different time periods and geographical contexts. Key results reveal significant shifts in 'Climate Change' discourse. Distinctly, consistently central (highest Freq: 84 at COP1-1995) evolved from focusing on technical "adverse effects" (23+ occurrences) to integrating diverse issues like health and SDGs in recent COPs (2021-24). More importantly, 'Pollution' appeared infrequently (peak Freq: 5 at COP11-2005),shifting from localized "air pollution" framing towards links with justice and biodiversity (COPs 28/29-2023/24). 'Global Warming' usage varied (peak Freq: 12 at COP6-2 2001), moving from technical GWP associations to framing around the urgent 1.5°C threshold demanding "rapid, deep and sustained reductions" (COPs 26/27- 2021/22). These linguistic and metaphorical transformations demonstrate the dynamism of environmental diplomacy and reflect ever-changing policy priorities. The study concludes that specific terminological shifts largely shape the language-policy nexus.
