By Osama Saqr
As part of the fifth edition of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship, the Ministry of Youth and Sports organized a vibrant Cultural Day, bringing together 150 young leaders from 80 countries. The event served as a dynamic platform for cultural exchange, dialogue, and youth engagement on global development issues.
Held under the generous patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and in partnership with the United Nations, the day was themed: “Egypt and the Global South: 80 Years of Advocacy”. It emphasized Egypt’s historical role in representing and defending the interests of Global South nations on international platforms.
The Cultural Day featured a series of interactive workshops and discussions, moderated by distinguished alumni of the Fellowship:
- Dr. Ahmed Mokhtar, Advisor at the British Council’s Tabniyy Information Center and a graduate of the second cohort;
- Dr. Ragaa Magdy, Assistant Professor at Ahram Canadian University and a fourth-cohort graduate;
- Dr. Bassem El-Maghribi, Lecturer in Political Science at Suez Canal University and a graduate of the third cohort;
- Dr. Rasha Hussein, Member of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities’ Office and a graduate of the African School 2063.
Participants from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond showcased their countries’ cultural identities through traditional music, cuisine, costumes, folk songs, documentaries, and symbolic rituals. The event served as a celebration of multiculturalism, dialogue, and international solidarity.
The Cultural Day aligns with the core goals of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship: to promote south-south cooperation, support the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Africa’s Agenda 2063, and contribute to the Arab Union Roadmap on Youth Investment, among other international frameworks. It also reinforces Egypt’s Vision 2030, centered on youth empowerment, global cooperation, and regional integration.
The Fellowship, running from May 10 to 25, serves as a unique platform for networking influential youth leaders, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and sharing transformative development experiences. Participants include young professionals, policymakers, activists, and civil society representatives from around the world—each contributing to a global youth dialogue that transcends borders.
