Egypt Empowers Youth for Sustainable Development: "Be an Ambassador" Graduation Ceremony Commemorates Progress"

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development celebrated a pivotal moment today with the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of the "Be an Ambassador" initiative for sustainable development. Dr. Hala El-Saeed, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, presided over the ceremony alongside esteemed guests, including Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, and Dr. Sherifa Sherif, the Executive Director of the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Hala El-Said underscored the crucial role of youth as ambassadors for Egypt's Vision 2030 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With 60% of Egypt's population comprising youth, the initiative aims to harness their potential in advocating for sustainable development initiatives across the nation. Dr. El-Said emphasized the partnership between various sectors and the initiative's ongoing evolution, which now includes specialized batches catering to journalists, planning officials, and persons with disabilities.

Dr. Yasmine Fouad echoed Dr. El-Saeed's sentiments, hailing the "Be an Ambassador" initiative as a model for human resource investment. She highlighted the Ministry of Environment's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for private sector engagement, citing the recent launch of a platform for environmental and climate investment. This platform offers promising opportunities for youth, government entities, the banking sector, civil society, and the private sector to contribute to sustainable resource development.

Dr. Sherifa Sherif reflected on the initiative's inception in 2018 and its remarkable growth since then. Over the years, the initiative has trained 3600 participants from 27 governorates and 24 government and private universities. Dr. Sherif emphasized the initiative's core messages of youth empowerment, inclusion, localization of SDGs, and gender equality. Notably, the initiative has garnered international recognition from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) for its commitment to sustainable entrepreneurship projects.

Inji Ali, Project Manager of the "Be an Ambassador" initiative, provided insights into the diversity and achievements of the program's participants. With representation from all governorates, the program encompasses university students, graduates, faculty members, and civil society organizations. Ali highlighted the submission of 600 project ideas, the selection of trainees for various programs, and collaborations with organizations like GODADDY for e-marketing training.

The graduation ceremony symbolized Egypt's unwavering commitment to sustainable development and youth empowerment. As the nation strides towards realizing its ambitious goals, initiatives like "Be an Ambassador" serve as beacons of hope, driving positive change and fostering a brighter future for generations to come.