Osama Saqr
Under the esteemed patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Republic, the Ministry of Youth and Sports inaugurated the fifth edition of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership. The opening session, held in partnership with the United Nations, centered on the theme: “Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years Representing the Issues of the Global South.”
Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, graced the inaugural session with his presence and addressed the assembled participants. He extended a warm welcome to the young leaders from diverse global backgrounds, underscoring Egypt’s role as a unifying platform for youth across various disciplines. Dr. Sobhy emphasized the Nasser Fellowship’s ascendance as a preeminent international youth initiative and a distinctive model for global engagement.
Minister Sobhy further articulated that the Nasser Fellowship serves as a tangible mechanism for realizing President El-Sisi’s directives to support and empower talented African youth. The initiative aims to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of global challenges and sustainable development agendas among young leaders. He also highlighted the critical importance of fostering awareness and disseminating knowledge on international affairs, noting the fellowship’s focus on enhancing political and diplomatic acumen.
A key feature of the opening session was a lecture delivered by Lieutenant General (Ret.) Dr. Samir Farag, a distinguished military and strategic expert. His address, titled “UN Resolutions and International Peace and Security: A Reading into Events in the Middle East,” provided insights into contemporary challenges, threats, crises, and management strategies. The lecture also explored the dynamics of information warfare, encompassing fourth and fifth generation warfare tactics.
The session witnessed the presence of prominent figures including Major General Ismail El-Far, First Assistant to the Minister for Youth and Governmental Relations; Dr. Khaled Masoud, Head of the Youth Sector; Alaa Desouki, Undersecretary and Head of the Central Department for Youth Development; and Hassan Ghazaly, Director of the Office for Global South Youth.
The fifth iteration of the Nasser Fellowship is strategically designed to share Egypt’s expertise in institutional development and the strengthening of national frameworks. It also seeks to foster international youth dialogue, particularly within the context of the United Nations. The program will further highlight the pivotal roles of youth and women in promoting peace, security, and volunteerism, alongside addressing critical issues concerning the Global South and South-South cooperation. A core objective is to enhance youth awareness regarding the UN’s contributions to the Global South and the advancement of international justice.
The fellowship is scheduled to run from May 10th to May 25th and has convened 150 promising young leaders from diverse executive fields and influential youth representatives from civil society organizations worldwide.
