Tim Maciejewski and Jens Theilen, research assistants at the Bucerius Institute for Foundation Law and the Law of Non-profit Organizations, participated in a Comparative Law Conference held in association with the Moroccan Economic, Social and Environmental Council in Rabat at the invitation of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. The new Moroccan Constitution provides for greater involvement of civil society in government decisions thus the theme of the conference was how this requirement can be implemented and how similar questions are answered in Germany.
Tim Maciejewski and Jens Theilen presented the basic principles of German Law on Voluntary Associations and Foundations, the tax privileges for non-profit organizations and the various other influences on the legislative process. In light of this, the current situation of civil society in Morocco was passionately discussed by the conference participants. On one hand, further freedom in the establishment and activities of civil society organizations is encouraged but on the other, state supervision is required to prevent these from being infiltrated by extremist political groups. It is thought, however, that German Law could be an important inspiration in finding the right balance between civil liberty and state regulation.
