Babel Initiative.

Babel Initiative is a student association officially recognized by Sciences Po Paris. It is based in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Campus in Menton, France. Run by first and second-year students, Babel aims to broaden understanding of the diverse cultures and countries of the Mediterranean and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Babel operates as a platform to support student research projects, including our newsletter and yearly research papers.

Each year, we focus on a selected country from the MENA region, offering students a unique opportunity to delve into their chosen topics of analysis and research. With the support of our sponsors and Sciences Po Paris, a carefully selected group of 15 student researchers embarks on a week-long trip to the designated country. This immersive experience allows them to gather critical data and insights to enhance their preliminary research, forming the foundation for their academic papers.

At the end of the year, Babel hosts the annual colloquium, where researchers present their findings to a distinguished panel of academics and fellow Sciences Po students. Their work is subsequently published in news outlets and academic institutions, as well as shared with the scholars and experts who have supported Babel’s research initiatives throughout the process.

Discover our previous projects

We're headed to Morocco!

The Mediterranean, often hailed as the cradle of civilization, is a region rich in history, culture, society, and economics—many facets of which remain underexplored in academic circles. At Babel, we aim to bridge this gap. Every year, we select five teams of three researchers who dedicate six months to studying diverse topics related to a country in the Mediterranean and MENA region.

This year, Babel has embarked on a new adventure: Morocco.

This year's selection of Morocco centres around its unique positioning at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Arab world. Its rich cultural offerings, such as the Halqa and the Gnaoua World Music Festival, alongside its current diverse multicultural history, made Morocco an ideal country of exploration for our organizational members studying the Middle East and Mediterranean region. Furthermore, its classification as a constitutional, democratic, parliamentary, and social monarchy brings together our shared interest in politics and government, putting our studies into real practice. We look forward to expanding the Babel Initiative's network into Morocco and partaking in cultural exchange with the communities we engage with.

As per our long-standing traditions, approximately sixty students from the Menton Campus of Sciences Po Paris will join this journey. This year, our delegation comprises 15 Board Members, 15 Researchers, and 30 Shadows, all dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and intellectual discovery.

Over the course of a week, our itinerary will take us from the cosmopolitan city of Casablanca to the political heart of Rabat and the bustling streets of Marrakech. Along the way, we will visit the cinematic beauty of Ouarzazate and experience the serenity of the Agafay Desert. Alongside our travels across the country, our team will engage in meaningful discussions with esteemed experts, accomplished professionals, and dedicated mentors. These encounters will provide valuable insights, inform our research, and enhance our understanding of the region's key issues and dynamics.

Stay tuned for the countdown as we prepare for our annual adventure!

Babel operates with the invaluable support of our partners, whose contributions make our initiatives possible. We are currently working to secure funding for the 2025 research trip, ensuring that both our researchers and board members have the resources they need to participate fully. Your support helps us cover critical financial and organizational needs for this endeavor. For further information or to contribute, please hesitate to contact us at babelinitiative@gmail.com or through the details provided in the contact section. Thank you for supporting our mission.