My daily life is made up of meetings with people from all walks of life, who, each in their own way, enrich my experience with something new. To all of them I am so indebted.

Fawzia Talout Meknassi is an economics and management graduate of the University Hassan II, Casablanca, and has trained at the International Press Institute (IPI) in Paris and the Global Leadership Programme, Manhattanville College, Purchase/NY. A gifted journalist and the Director General of the Presse Marocaine, a leading Moroccan press agency, she is not only a correspondent for the Al-Ahram Press group in Cairo, but also a university teacher for communication and an active member of the civil society.

Fawzia Talout Meknassi's achievements include the establishment of the Salon for Mediterranean Women in 1997 and the International Forum for Women in 1999. Already in 1995 she was selected by the French magazine "Marie Claire" as one of a hundred women who have contributed to the advancement of the world. Fawzia has also opened a multimedia communication center for young people, in order to bridge the gap in information technology between the North and the South. She is Executive Director of the International Forum for Women and a key figure of the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW). Talking about herself and her work Fawzia says, "My daily life is made up of meetings with people from all walks of life, who, each in their own way, enrich my experience with something new. To all of them I am so indebted. And if I were to name them individually, this would take me ages to do! I have very little to say about myself. The word 'I' barely exists in my vocabulary! To be a journalist, I believe, is to be part of society. For me, knowing the world leads to pluralism, respect of others’ opinions and tolerance. Life comprises both good and evil, peace and fear. But one should not be afraid of confrontation. Journalists are solitary, yet they still belong to all humanity. The world turns, and situations present themselves: women’s rights, the future of the planet, the reduction of poverty, technological advancement … and the journalist must keep pace!"

Presse Marocaine Arab Women's Council Association Bouregreg