NIGSD launches 1st Sustainable Arts and Human Development Initiative workshop

The National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD) - the training arm of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development - launched the first phase of training workshops for the initiative "Sustainable Art and Human Development", entitled "Bank Note" for the Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth, in collaboration with the Foundation of the International Forum for Plastic Art for Development.

The training workshops for the initiative have been launched under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ministries of Environment and Culture, and National Council for Women (NCW), in partnership with the United Nations and a group of international institutions and the private sector.

The workshop will run from May 16-21.

During the opening of the workshop, Dr. Sherifa Sharif, Executive Director of NIGSD, emphasized that the goals of the Sustainable Art Initiative are consistent with sustainable development goals and come within the framework of youth and women's empowerment, stressing the importance of innovative thinking for young people.

Sherifa noted that a large part of the young artists participating in the Sustainable Art Initiative is alumni of the "Be an Ambassador" initiative for sustainable development that aims to reach out to society about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and link them to governance.

“Without transparency, accountability, citizen response, and law enforcement, the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt's Vision for 2030 cannot be reached,” Dr. Sherifa Sharif, Executive Director of NIGSD said.

For her part, artist Randa Fouad, founder and president of the International Forum for Fine Art for Development, confirmed that the sustainable art and human development initiative is being implemented for the first time globally.

She noted (Randa Fouad) noted that the concept of sustainability and the use of recycling technology in art has become a crucial part of modern and contemporary art. And although it is still in its infancy in the Arab world, young artists understand it more and accept it because it suits them more, according to Randa Fouad

Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Executive Director of NIGSD inaugurated the workshops.

These workshops witnessed the presence of artist Randa Fouad, Founder and President of the International Forum for Plastic Art for Development, Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Christine Arab Representative of UN-Women in Egypt, and Dr. Safa Abdelsalam Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design of the Alamein International University.