The Fifth Edition of the Nasser Fellowship Concludes with the Attendance of the Minister of Youth and Sports
Under the auspices of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and in partnership with the United Nations
“Nasser International Forum”: Concluding the Fifth Edition of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership in the Presence of the Minister of Youth and Sports
The Nasser International Forum announced the organization of the closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the late leader Gamal Abdel Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership. The event was held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, and in constructive partnership with the United Nations, under the theme: “Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years of Representing the Global South.” The fellowship took place from May 10 to 25 with the participation of 150 young leaders from 80 countries across various executive disciplines, civil society organizations, and young decision-makers.
The closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership was attended by Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, alongside a group of ambassadors from the participating countries, representatives of the United Nations and its agencies operating in Egypt, representatives of national and international entities, prominent public figures, senior officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, media professionals, and journalists. This high-level attendance reflects the importance of the fellowship as an international platform that brings together civilizations and contributes to enhancing intercultural dialogue.
The ceremony began with the Egyptian national anthem, followed by a series of artistic performances that highlighted the rich and diverse cultures of the participating countries, adding a distinctive celebratory spirit to the event. The atmosphere was filled with joy and pride as participants enthusiastically engaged with the music and performances, expressing their delight in being part of this unique leadership experience. Graduation moments reflected a deep sense of pride and belonging, crowning an intensive journey of learning and cultural exchange. Participants voiced their gratitude for the opportunity the fellowship offered them to connect and build bridges of cooperation among the world’s peoples.
In his remarks during the closing ceremony, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed his pleasure in meeting the participants at the conclusion of this distinguished edition of the fellowship. He affirmed that the presidential patronage of the fellowship reflects the political leadership’s strong belief in the pivotal role of youth and the Egyptian state’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth both locally and internationally. The Minister described the Nasser Fellowship as a dynamic model of international cooperation and constructive dialogue, bringing together 150 young men and women from 80 countries in a unique experience that reflects cultural diversity and openness, reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to building bridges of cooperation with countries of the Global South and empowering youth to play influential roles regionally and globally. He praised the performance of the fellowship graduates and the valuable experiences they gained during the program.
Dr. Sobhy further noted that the fellowship’s activities, including interactive sessions and field visits, aimed to present Egypt’s experience in building national institutions and enhancing community engagement, especially in youth and women’s empowerment. It also provided an inspiring model of wise leadership based on partnership, not subordination, and on diversity, not conflict. He emphasized the continued support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, under the directives of the political leadership, for all initiatives that enhance youth capacities and enable them to play effective roles in their societies. He also thanked all national and international partners for their ongoing support, expressing his anticipation to meet the participants again in the next edition of the fellowship in Egypt, to continue building and cooperating for a more just and peaceful world. He concluded his speech by saying: “Long live Egypt… and may the peoples of the world live in peace and development.”
On his part, Yves Sassenrath, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Egypt, stated that the youth delegations participating in the fifth edition of the Nasser Fellowship demonstrate that the fellowship has become more than a training platform; it now stands as a living symbol of cooperation among Southern countries and a representation of youth-led multilateral diplomacy. He added that the Nasser Fellowship reflects Egypt’s pioneering role in shaping a generation that is aware of global challenges and equipped to address them with courage and commitment, through a shared global vision based on solidarity, equity, and joint action for a more sustainable and just future.
Hassan Ghazaly, Founder of the Nasser International Forum, addressed the closing ceremony and spoke about the Nasser Fellowship project, which began six years ago and has continued to achieve successive successes thanks to the great support of Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, the Minister of Youth and Sports, who was the primary supporter of launching this program despite all challenges. Ghazaly noted that the fellowship provided a distinguished series of training sessions, discussion panels, workshops, and field visits aimed at qualifying participants and equipping them with effective leadership skills to make a positive impact in their communities. He added that the closing ceremony coincided with Africa Day, which reflects the spirit of solidarity among the continent’s peoples. He concluded by thanking his colleagues at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the hardworking team that ensured the success of this edition, and the Egyptian delegation, which was notably present and well-represented.
The closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the “Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership” included the honoring of Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, for a number of partners, supporters, and outstanding participants. Honorees included:
• Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Information and figure of African liberation movements, Mohamed Fayek (award received by his grandson, Ali Fayek)
• Heba Rashid, Chairperson of Mersal Foundation and member of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work
• Asmaa El-Husseiny, journalist and Managing Editor at Al-Ahram and member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs
• Iman El-Warraqi, investigative journalist and founder of the Artificial Intelligence Revolution initiative
• Sherif Gad, Director of Cultural Activities at the Russian Cultural Center
• Dr. Ahmed Mokhtar, debates and capacity-building expert
• Dr. Bassem El-Maghraby, faculty member at Suez Canal University
• Dr. Raja Magdy, student activities officer at Ahram Canadian University
• Dr. Rasha Hussein El-Sayed, technical advisor at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and graduate of the African School 2063
• Sayed Fouad, President of the Luxor African Film Festival
• Mariam Allam, Head of the Adaptation Team and Presidential Advisor at COP27
• Dr. Shaimaa Tarek, teaching assistant at the Faculty of Al-Alsun, Ain Shams University, and Nasser Forum youth ambassador training coordinator
• Researcher Yasmine Mahmoud, East Africa regional coordinator and regional coordinator at the Nasser International Forum
• Researcher Mervat Sakr, Swahili language coordinator at the Nasser International Forum and the Global Solidarity Network
• Researcher Hanan Sobhy, North Africa regional coordinator at the Nasser International Forum
• Actor Ahmed Zaher
• Actor Mohamed Adel
The closing ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates of appreciation to the participating delegations. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, presented the certificates amidst an atmosphere of joy and pride. Participants expressed their immense satisfaction with this unique experience, which provided them with opportunities for learning, interaction, and acquiring both practical and theoretical knowledge in leadership, community work, and youth diplomacy. Many participants praised the high level of organization and the rich academic and cultural content of the fellowship, affirming that it served as a true platform for exchanging ideas and fostering cooperation among youth from different countries. They expressed gratitude for the opportunities to connect and build new friendships with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Many captured photos and videos to commemorate these special moments, emphasizing that this experience will remain etched in their memories and will serve as motivation to continue striving for positive impact in their communities.
It is worth noting that the fifth edition of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership focused on presenting Egypt’s long-standing experience in institutional development, enhancing youth dialogue on a global level, the roles of women and youth in peace, security, and volunteering, highlighting youth issues, Global South concerns, South-South cooperation, raising awareness about the UN’s role in these areas, and showcasing the Global South’s contribution to advancing key issues of developing countries and promoting global justice.
