A/HRC/20/26/Add.2 52. The Independent Expert visited a number of local community projects, and was in particular impressed by the initiative and enthusiasm of the filles cavalières group in Khemisset, an initiative that not only preserves the culture of Moroccan society as a living tradition, but also gives new impetus to women’s participation in cultural life and their contribution to a cultural heritage traditionally embodied by men. The initiative underscores, however, the difficulties faced by local community initiatives in their access to governmental or INDH and ADS funds owing to the cumbersome project application process. The group has difficulties in having access to appropriate facilities for horse riding, and has therefore had to turn down the request of many young girls and boys to participate. The filles cavalières face other challenges, because horse riding falls between the classifications of sport and culture, thus neither ministry considers it to be within the scope of their specific mandate. Lastly, local authorities have to prioritize the allocation of funds from the Government. Funds are inevitably used to address the community’s basic necessities, and cannot support such initiatives. The project continues to function thanks to private initiatives and the contributions of the local community. The Independent Expert strongly encourages the Government to provide such initiatives with financial and logistical assistance and to disseminate information about these good practices in other regions. 53. The Independent Expert visited a number of INDH-supported projects and centres that have been newly established and are well maintained. Although one centre visited in Khemisset was built with the assistance of the Ministry of Youth and Sport, subsequently it has received very little assistance for its maintenance. In the Independent Expert’s view, it is important that INDH projects channel support to maintain and develop existing infrastructure, provide financial assistance to young people, women or persons with disabilities and invest more in capacity-building to enable concerned people and institutions to prepare adequate project documentation and attract further and sustainable funding. 54. One of the most important needs of the country’s cultural sector is national networking and coordination. There is a need for a national database accessible on the Internet with updated lists of national cultural bodies and associations, which could also serve to share and disseminate information on cultural activities throughout the country. In this regard, the Independent Expert was impressed by the work of the Royal Consultative Council on Saharan Affairs, which has developed a website (www.corcas.com/eng/WesternSaharaPoliticalAffairs.aspx) on Saharawi traditions and cultural life, in eight languages. Unfortunately, the website is not available in Amazigh. 55. The exemplary coexistence of different cultures, together with mutual respect and tolerance, are essential to the country’s prosperity and should be encouraged, widely supported and promoted. In this respect, the unique and outstanding Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca is a good example of respect for cultural pluralism and religious tolerance. The Museum, operated by the Fondation du patrimoine culturel Judeo-Marocain, is mainly funded by private donations, but receives some Government support, including for its well-qualified curator. It is encouraging that a number of non-Jewish students have chosen to research the Judeo-Moroccan heritage. Unfortunately, much of the archival material, including musical cassettes and literature of the community, are in need of proper storage and documentation. Interlocutors from the community and academics stressed the need for the Government to assume responsibility for protecting this important part of Moroccan cultural heritage, especially given that Jewish neighbourhoods (mellahs) are scattered throughout the country, while the vastly diminished Jewish population is concentrated in only a few cities. The Independent Expert encourages the Government to consider similar projects for the mellahs as those for medinas. 13