NIGSD, Misr El Kheir Foundation agree to support the (Green NGOs) Initiative

The National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD), the training arm of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, signed a cooperation protocol with the Misr El Kheir Foundation to support the (Green NGOs) Initiative.

 

The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of the Director of the Sustainable Development Center at NIGSD Dr. Heba El-Baz, Deputy Director of the Center Radwa Mohsen, and the Head of the Civil Society Development Sector at Misr El Kheir Foundation, Dr. Mohamed Mamdouh.

 

Following the signing ceremony of the protocol, Dr. Sherifa Sherif, NIGSD Executive Director presented a general glimpse of NIGSD's history from its inception in 1956. This was until the Prime Minister renamed it “The National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.”

 

She also clarified that the institute’s vision includes supporting, enhancing, and developing sound governance systems. Its mission is to promote and develop Egypt’s position in governance and sustainable development through consultations, research, and workshops.

 

Moreover, Sherif clarified that NIGSD reviews evaluates, monitors, and drafts reports on Egypt’s position on global indicators. It promotes effective governance practices and creates partnerships with research centers, consulting firms, and national, regional, and international training and education organizations.

 

 

 

Moreover, she highlighted the initiatives recently launched by NIGSD following the Egyptian state’s efforts to confront climate change and promote climate action during (COP27) which took place in Sharm El Sheikh last November.

 

Among these initiatives, is the “Green Minds” initiative that focuses on raising awareness and encouraging sustainable behavior to combat climate change among children and students between the ages of 6 and 18. This includes toddlers and students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

 

 

 

 

Furthermore, Sherif addressed the “Salah, Omneya, and Development Goals” initiative, one of NIGSD’s initiatives, which is designed to simplify SDG concepts while focusing on its importance and the means to achieve it attractively and interestingly through 17 short stories suitable for primary students.

 

 She also stressed that publishing these stories comes within an integrated plan set by NIGSD. This plan is to raise awareness of the United Nations’ goals at both the national and regional levels.

 

Sherif added that NIGSD's cooperation in support of the “Green NGOs” regional initiative comes as part of the cooperation protocol between NIGSD and the Misr El Kheir Foundation in 2020. This protocol intends to amplify civil organizations’ role in sustainable development.

 

On the same note, she stressed that the goals of the initiative are following the vision, mission, and goals of the institute, and its key national role in rooting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), governance systems in Egyptian society’s institutions including civil organizations, indicating the institute’s eagerness to collaborate with Misr El Kheir Foundation.

 

Meanwhile, the CEO of Misr El Kheir Foundation, Dr. Mohamed Refai announced that the organization is keen on enhancing Arab civil work in sustainable development and climate change, affirming the continuity of the organization’s support to Arab civil organizations on the national and Arab levels along with the capacity building efforts offered to civil organizations in the fields of sustainable development and climate change.

 

Likewise, he pointed out that the Misr El Kheir Foundation launched the “Green NGOs” regional initiative during its participation in COP27, aimed at supporting civil organizations’ transformation into green sustainable civil organizations, whether on the level of organization and organizational management level or on the level of development practices that the organization targets within society.