Firdaous Oussidhoum

Firdaous Oussidhoum is the Special Adviser of the UCLG Secretary General, the world institution for Local and Regional Governments advocating for shared values and principles, for the Local Democracy as representative of the citizens. She is also a Member of the UNESCO Chair for Intermediate Cities and World Urbanization. Architect and Urban planner, Firdaous developed her expertise in the Sustainable and Resilient Develop Strategies. After finishing her studies between Grenoble (France) and the Barcelona School of Architecture (Spain), she followed up with a Master in Philosophy of Architecture, and continued completing her doctorate in Philosophy of Architecture in Lyon III University. Practicing Architecture and Urban Planning for 18 years in her office in Tangier (Morocco), Firdaous has been Consulting for Decision Makers and Development institutions, as a Policy Maker for local policies, housing policies and strategic management policies at international level (Africa, Asia and Europe) as a Senior Expert. Always connected to the International fields and challenges, she has been elected in volunteering positions with a Diplomatic and Strategic relevance, first through the professional structures (Secretary General on Regional Council of Architects of Tangier-Morocco from 2005-2008,  in charge of International Relations – Member elected of National Council of Architects of Morocco from 2008-2011, Member elected of International Union of Architects from 2008-2014 and Assistant Secretary General of Africa Union of Architects 2008-2011), and after as a Lecturer and speaker at an international level. Firdaous Oussidhoum became Director of International & External Relations at the Africa Union of Architects in November 2011 till August 2015. Taking benefit of her 12 years in International Relations and Cooperation, she has been advising the United Cities and Local Governments especially as the (UCLG)’s Coordinator for the Intermediary Cities Forum, before taking the position of Special Adviser. She has also been a Professor of Philosophy of Architecture, a discipline that allows her to continuously reflect and innovate on the approach of a resilient human development through sustainability and culture : the Planet Resilience is for her directly linked to the daily definition of live of the Human Being in its space, time and policy orientations, where only Dialogue between all spheres can allow Life to continue, and offer a resilient future to the next generations. Firdaous is acting for a new Dialogue towards our planet’s sustainability. In this vision, the key role for her is into both the global institutions _especially United Nations_ and local decision makers and mayors :  urban development strategies & governance, are the channel in grounding international recommendations and universal values.