The Chaire Averroès was founded by University of Marrakech Cadi Ayyad together with Fondazione Mediterraneo, with the aim to set up a Chair coordinating the studies concerning the Euro-Mediterranean region.

It is a great contribution to the diffusion of ideas and knowledges in the Mediterranean, through intercultural, scientific and cultural exchanges and to the strengthening of the relationships between the two strips, so that knowledge of each other could become a key factor of peace in the region.

The name of Averroès was chosen in order to involve people living in the Mediterranean region in the dialogue of cultures.

The principal aims of Chair Averroès are:

1.  Exchange of knowledges and experiences. A person coming from one of the Mediterranean Countries will monthly lecture with the aim of creating a permanent structure for the exchanges.

2.  Research and PhD: seminars will be organized for PhD students involved in the Mediterranean area, in order to expand on their researches.

3.  The diffusion of an annual publication of the lectures texts and a summary of the discussions originated.

An agreement signed by Koïchiro MATSUURA, Director General of Unesco, Mohamed Knidiri, former President of University Cadi Ayyad and Director of Marrakech Office of FM, together with Accademia del Mediterraneo, founded in September 1999, the “Chaire Averroès”, Unesco Chair of Mediterranean Studies.