Understanding the MENARA Region: Marine Foundation’s Vision for Development Across 26 Nations - click here
Understanding the MENARA Region: Marine Foundation’s Vision for Development Across 26 Nations
The MENARA region, comprising 26 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, holds a place of profound importance in ancient and modern history. Rich with cultural heritage, linguistic diversity, and a long legacy of innovation, the region has been a cradle of civilizations, religions, and transformative ideas that have shaped the world. However, the unique potential of these countries has often been restrained by historical challenges, economic inequalities, and political instabilities. Recognizing this, the Marine Foundation has set its sights on empowering the MENARA nations as a strategic pillar in its global mission. Through thoughtful, culturally sensitive initiatives, the Marine Foundation aims to promote sustainable growth, foster unity, and ignite educational advancements across this vast, interconnected region.
MENARA: The Sixth Continent of the Marine Foundation
Though the Marine Foundation traditionally organizes its operations across five continents, the MENARA region is considered an honorary sixth continent due to its unique characteristics and geopolitical significance. While it is geographically associated with Asia, the MENARA region possesses a distinct identity rooted in its shared history, values, and aspirations. The Marine Foundation’s decision to recognize MENARA as a dedicated sphere within its operations underscores its commitment to addressing the specific needs of these nations and highlights the importance of tailored approaches to development.
Lady Latifa Merzk Idrissi, a respected Marine Foundation’s First Ladies Club member, leads the MENARA initiative. With her guidance and the support of skilled local leaders, the Marine Foundation is creating a solid foundation for collaboration, trust, and empowerment across the region. This approach ensures that the Foundation’s projects are implemented harmoniously with MENARA’s cultural fabric and social dynamics, fostering long-lasting and positive impacts.
The 26 Nations of the MENARA Region
The MENARA region includes Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, among others. Each nation has its unique blend of culture, resources, and opportunities. Despite their differences, they share commonalities that bind them, including linguistic roots in Arabic, shared religious beliefs, and a deep connection to the ancient lands that have shaped human history.
The Marine Foundation sees these shared qualities as strengths, viewing MENARA as a region that can thrive through collective growth and mutual support. The Marine Foundation hopes to promote a regional renaissance that celebrates individual and shared identities by emphasizing unity and partnership among these countries.
Key Initiatives: Education as the Foundation for Growth
Education is at the heart of the Marine Foundation’s approach to empowering the MENARA region. Recognizing that a nation’s greatest asset is its people, the Marine Foundation has developed plans to establish world-class educational institutions to cultivate the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.
One of the Foundation’s most ambitious projects is the creation of the Global Universities Complex (GU) across MENARA nations. This university network will offer high-quality education and serve as a hub for international collaboration, research, and cultural exchange. Designed to address the specific needs of the MENARA region, these institutions will promote critical fields such as technology, engineering, medicine, and environmental science, empowering local youth to address their communities’ most pressing challenges.
Alongside the Global Universities Complex, the Marine Foundation’s Sea Campus Universal (SCU) initiative focuses on early and primary education. SCU is built on an innovative educational model that combines academic learning with character development, ethical values, and life skills, nurturing well-rounded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to society. Notably, the SCU curriculum respects and integrates local cultures and religions, ensuring that education is delivered in a way that aligns with the traditions and beliefs of the MENARA people.
Economic and Social Empowerment: Laying the Foundation for Self-Sufficiency
Beyond education, the Marine Foundation fosters economic and social empowerment throughout the MENARA region. The Foundation understands that actual development extends beyond academia; it requires creating systems that uplift entire communities.
By collaborating with local governments and organizations, the Marine Foundation aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), create job opportunities, and boost sustainable industries that can stimulate economic growth. This approach encourages self-sufficiency, enabling MENARA nations to effectively harness their natural resources and human capital. From eco-friendly tourism projects in historically rich areas to agricultural advancements in fertile lands, the Foundation seeks to unlock the region’s potential in ways that benefit current and future generations.
Harmony with Culture and Religion: Building Trust and Lasting Connections
The Marine Foundation’s approach to development in MENARA places immense importance on respecting the region’s cultural and religious values. Unlike many international organizations that adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, the Marine Foundation believes that successful development must be deeply rooted in the identity of the communities it seeks to uplift.
By aligning its educational and social initiatives with the cultural fabric of MENARA, the Marine Foundation has earned the trust of local communities and leaders. This respect for local customs and beliefs strengthens relationships and ensures that the Foundation’s initiatives are accepted and actively supported by the people they aim to serve.
A Vision for the Future: MENARA as a Beacon of Unity
The Marine Foundation envisions the MENARA region as a model of unity and cooperation, where nations work hand-in-hand to create a brighter future. Through shared educational, economic, and social initiatives, the Foundation seeks to establish a MENARA that shines as a beacon of progress, innovation, and harmony for the world.
As Lady Latifa Merzk Idrissi leads the MENARA initiative, she brings together a dedicated team of leaders, experts, and visionaries, all committed to unlocking the region’s potential. With the Marine Foundation’s support, the 26 nations of MENARA can achieve new heights of prosperity and set an example of collaborative growth for the global community.
The Marine Foundation’s MENARA initiative is more than a development project—it is a transformative vision. By respecting the past while building for the future, the Marine Foundation empowers the MENARA region to rise as a united and thriving community where tradition and progress merge to create a legacy of hope, dignity, and shared success.
Menara Regions
MENARA stands for Middle East, North Africa, and Adjacent Regions.
The name “Menara” also means “lighthouse” or “beacon” in several regional languages. It symbolizes guidance, unity, and illumination—a fitting metaphor for a region with a rich cultural history, diverse heritage, and strategic significance. This term could serve as a modern, unifying name, emphasizing both geographic and cultural connections while maintaining a distinct identity for this part of the world.
Significant Strides Toward Empowering the MENARA
Under Lady Latifa Merzak of the “First Ladies Club” and regional friends at the Marine Foundation
Under the leadership of Lady Latifa Merzak in the First Ladies Group, she is supported by an esteemed team of vice-presidents and close advisors, including Naima Ben Mlouka from Tunisia and Duaa Ali Mohammad from Jordan, who will soon establish her office in Dubai. Additionally, a dedicated group of assistant network coordinators and communicators further strengthens the team. Lady Latifa’s unique advantage lies in her ability to bring together a dynamic group of highly connected and experienced women leaders, amplifying the group’s collective influence and effectiveness.
The Marine Foundation is taking significant strides toward empowering the MENARA region, encompassing 28 nations across North Africa and the Middle East, through the visionary leadership of Lady Latifa Merzk Idrissi, a distinguished member of the Marine Foundation’s First Ladies Club. This initiative forms an integral part of the Marine Foundation’s mission, aiming to unify and develop this culturally and historically rich region while respecting and celebrating its unique identity.
Although the Marine Foundation traditionally symbolizes five continents—Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania—the inclusion of MENARA as its sixth continent highlights the organization’s commitment to global unity and cross-cultural collaboration. MENARA, often geographically linked to Asia, stands out as a bridge between continents, merging diverse cultures, languages, and religions. Lady Latifa Merzk Idrissi, renowned for her dedication to education and social progress, represents the Marine Foundation’s MENARA vision, leading efforts to foster lasting development across this vast and varied region.
A Vision for MENARA’s 28 Nations
The MENARA region encompasses an impressive and diverse group of countries, each contributing its unique heritage to the region’s identity. The nations in the MENARA initiative include:
North Africa: Algeria – Egypt – Libya – Morocco – Sudan – Tunisia
Middle East: Bahrain – Cyprus – Iran – Iraq – Israel – Jordan – Kuwait – Lebanon – Oman – Palestine – Qatar – Saudi Arabia – Syria – Turkey – United Arab Emirates – Yemen
Expansions of MENARA:
Some frameworks or studies extend MENARA to include additional countries in the broader region: Afghanistan – Pakistan – Somalia – Djibouti
The Marine Foundation’s work within these countries seeks to integrate some of its most innovative educational programs, focusing on foundational development through the Global Universities Complexes (GU) and the Sea Campus Universal (SCU)—both of which are pioneering educational models designed to meet the specific needs of MENARA societies.
Educational Innovation Tailored to MENARA Cultures
The Marine Foundation’s approach to education in MENARA is unique and profound. Recognizing the diversity of cultures, languages, and religions in the region, the Foundation is committed to implementing educational systems that are fully in harmony with MENARA’s rich heritage and religious beliefs. By working in tandem with local cultural norms and values, the Marine Foundation aims to create learning environments that foster respect, understanding, and collaboration.
Global Universities Complexes (GU): The Global Universities Complexes represent a forward-thinking educational system that provides accessible, world-class education. These complexes are designed to function as regional hubs of innovation, knowledge exchange, and cultural preservation. They will be established in collaboration with local communities, ensuring the programs respect and reflect MENARA’s values.
Each GU will offer students a multidisciplinary education that integrates global and local perspectives, preparing students to become leaders who can bridge Eastern and Western values. By addressing contemporary global challenges such as climate change, technology, and sustainable development, the GU system is meant to equip students in MENARA with the tools and knowledge to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
Sea Campus Universal (SCU): The Sea Campus Universal, or SCU, is the Marine Foundation’s flagship initiative in elementary education, aimed at nurturing young minds from an early age. SCU campuses provide comprehensive educational programs that emphasize environmental stewardship, creativity, and cultural respect. Each SCU is designed as a vibrant, interactive environment where students learn foundational subjects alongside practical life skills and ethical values.
The SCU program aligns with MENARA’s unique historical and cultural context by incorporating elements of the region’s rich heritage into the curriculum. Lessons on local history, arts, and languages complement standard subjects, creating a well-rounded educational experience that resonates with students and their families. Through SCU, the Marine Foundation seeks to nurture a new generation of culturally aware, socially responsible individuals who feel empowered to contribute to the prosperity of their societies.
Empowering MENARA Through Unity and Development
Marine Foundation’s work in MENARA under the stewardship of Lady Latifa Merzk Idrissi embodies a commitment to unity and sustainable development, with the aim of helping MENARA’s youth realize their full potential. By providing opportunities for advanced education and fostering environments that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and leadership, the Marine Foundation supports MENARA in achieving a future that honors both its ancient heritage and contemporary ambitions.
The Marine Foundation believes that MENARA holds untapped potential as a key player on the world stage. Through GU and SCU, the Foundation seeks to bring to MENARA the kind of development that is not only economic but also intellectual and spiritual. The Marine Foundation views education as a means of bridging divides and creating a shared identity grounded in respect and understanding. By developing locally embedded educational systems, Marine Foundation aligns its mission with MENARA’s aspirations, setting the stage for a powerful partnership.
The Sixth Continent: MENARA’s Symbolic Role
MENARA’s designation as the Marine Foundation’s sixth continent is a testament to the region’s symbolic and strategic significance. In positioning MENARA within its global framework, the Marine Foundation acknowledges that MENARA’s role is pivotal to the world’s progress. As a region at the crossroads of continents, MENARA represents a space of convergence, where civilizations, languages, and religions meet, blend, and thrive. The Marine Foundation’s vision for MENARA is to cultivate unity and leadership through systems that uplift and celebrate its diverse societies.
The Marine Foundation’s MENARA initiative reflects a belief in the value of shared development goals that respect cultural diversity. This initiative marks a new era in MENARA’s growth, one that honors its deep historical roots while building pathways to global integration and advancement.
A Future of Shared Prosperity
The Marine Foundation’s endeavors in MENARA underscore its commitment to fostering a future defined by shared prosperity, respect, and interconnectedness. Lady Latifa Merzk Idrissi’s leadership and dedication have positioned MENARA to be a beacon of unity, education, and opportunity within the Marine Foundation’s worldwide network. Through strategic education and collaboration, the Marine Foundation aims to unlock MENARA’s potential, contributing to a brighter, more harmonious world where the region’s nations stand united as symbols of strength, wisdom, and resilience.
Menara Nations
Click on Flags to Access
The Marine Foundation represents every nation in the world, each with its president. The Presidents of Nations are the First Ladies Club members, participating in one of the club’s five departments. Click on the flags below to explore the 26 most beautiful nations of the MENARA region. The setup of nations at the Marine Foundation is in preparation for the fantastic WIKINATIONS platform agency of the Marine Foundation.
