From Media to Financial Inclusion: Diverse Activities on Day Sixteen of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership
"Under the patronage of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and in partnership with the United Nations"
Nasser International Forum: Panel Discussion on "The Image of the Global South in International Media" Kicks Off Day Sixteen Activities of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership"
Nasser International Forum: Youth and Public Diplomacy Discussed in Interactive Session on Day Sixteen of the Fellowship’s Fifth Edition
Nasser International Forum: Continuation of the “Cultural Exchange Among Nations” Workshop as Part of Day Sixteen Activities of the Fifth Edition
Nasser International Forum: Youth Delegations Discuss “Financial Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility” Concluding Day Sixteen of the Fellowship
The Nasser International Forum announced the organization of a panel discussion titled “The Image of the Global South in International Media”, launching the activities of Day Sixteen of the fifth edition of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership. Held under the auspices of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and in partnership with the United Nations, the fellowship is themed “Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years Representing the Global South”, and brings together 150 young leaders from 80 countries across a wide array of professional fields and civil society influencers globally.
The session hosted key speakers including Dr. Muriel Sabry El-Ashry, Dean of the School of Media at the University of East London, journalist and founder of the AI Revolution Initiative Eman El-Warraqi, and was moderated by journalist Ashraf Mahmoud. The session was also attended by Alaa Eldin El-Desouky, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, along with a number of ministry officials.
Dr. Mohamed El-Kousy, Deputy Director of the United Nations Information Centre, discussed the concept and significance of "South-South Journalism", emphasizing its role in representing the voices of developing nations, correcting stereotypes, and promoting global media balance. He highlighted investigative journalism as a key tool in promoting transparency and combating corruption. Dr. El-Kousy also pointed to the role of the UN in supporting press freedom, especially in Southern countries, through training programs and capacity-building efforts, while acknowledging the modern challenges of misinformation in the digital era.
Dr. Muriel Sabry El-Ashry elaborated on the unbalanced media representation of the Global South, which often focuses on conflict and crises, neglecting success stories and cultural richness. She emphasized the dominance of major media conglomerates in framing narratives and called for more balanced and professional journalism that protects truth and embraces ethical standards.
Eman El-Warraqi, journalist and founder of the AI Revolution Initiative, discussed the increasing influence of artificial intelligence on media and society. She advocated for ethical media strategies aligned with the rise of AI technologies and called for local development of AI tools that reflect cultural and social needs in the Arab and African regions.
Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the Nasser International Forum, stressed that the media's portrayal of the Global South is often unjust, highlighting only poverty and conflict. He called for empowering local media to tell their own stories, creating a fairer global narrative.
Nasser International Forum: Session on “Youth and Public Diplomacy” Highlights Day Sixteen of the Fellowship
The Forum held a dialogue session titled “Youth and Public Diplomacy: Smart Power, Effectiveness, and Influence”, attended by Hassan Ghazaly and key figures from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Participants included fellows from the Nasser Fellowship and youth leaders from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Portugal: Mo’mena Mahdi, researcher in organizational management, Shamsiyya Umar, Executive Director of “We Are Unique”, and Hinson Cook, a law trainee. The session, moderated by Karen Hany, explored the evolving role of youth in diplomacy, from informal initiatives to formal policy influence, and the need for inclusive practices that amplify marginalized voices, including youth with disabilities.
Mo’mena Mahdi underscored youth as informal actors shaping global narratives through platforms like the OIC, NAM, and UN, and emphasized multilingualism, scholarship programs, and digital presence as tools of soft power.
Shamsiyya Umar focused on redefining global perceptions of disability through inclusive diplomacy, calling for tangible inclusion beyond token representation, and recognizing lived experience as legitimate expertise.
Hinson Cook reflected on how his multicultural background helps bridge legal systems internationally, noting that youth engagement in legal and diplomatic initiatives—such as through the EU—enhances global justice and stability.
Hassan Ghazaly concluded that youth diplomacy is no longer peripheral but central to addressing global issues and shaping inclusive international policies. He called for greater participation and representation of youth in international decision-making spaces.
Nasser International Forum: Cultural Exchange Workshop Continued on Day Sixteen
The Forum continued the “Cultural Exchange Among Nations” workshop, facilitated by Dr. Ahmed Mokhtar, public policy consultant, and Dr. Raja Magdy, Assistant Professor at the Canadian University in Egypt. Youth delegations presented cultural showcases including national symbols, cuisines, traditions, and music. The session fostered rich intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, highlighting intangible heritage and celebrating cultural diversity.
Nasser International Forum: “Financial Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility” Discussed in Final Session of Day Sixteen.
The day concluded with a session titled “Financial Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility”, attended by Alaa Eldin El-Desouky, Hassan Ghazaly, and ministry leaders.
Dr. Nour El-Zeiny, Head of Institutional Communication at Suez Canal Bank, highlighted the bank’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development. She outlined initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, education, and capacity building.
Omar Gamal, Financial Affairs Officer at the bank, discussed their financial inclusion strategy, emphasizing access to banking for marginalized groups including youth, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. He presented “Bidaya” accounts tailored for micro-entrepreneurs and stressed digital transformation and service decentralization to ensure inclusive economic growth.
Hassan Ghazaly emphasized the need for financial inclusion as a pillar of sustainable development and fairness. He noted that corporate social responsibility is vital to support education, empowerment, and innovation.
It is worth noting that the fifth edition of the Nasser Fellowship seeks to share Egypt’s experience in institution-building and global youth dialogue, especially within the framework of the United Nations. It also focuses on youth and women’s roles in peace, security, volunteerism, and Global South cooperation, raising awareness on the UN’s role in promoting justice and development for the Global South.
