Nasser International Forum: Global Youth Between the Glory of Air Force History and the Enchantment of Umm Kulthum’s Voice
Under the Patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Partnership with the United Nations
"Nasser International Forum": A Visit to the Air Force Museum to Open the Eighth Day of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship.
Youth from 80 countries participating in the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship are amazed by their visit to the Egyptian Air Force Museum.
Workshop on "People’s Diplomacy" within the Activities of the Eighth Day of the Fifth Batch of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship
Nasser International Forum: A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Passing of "Umm Kulthum" at the Conclusion of the Eighth Day of the Fifth Batch of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship.
The Nasser International Forum announced, in a statement, that the youth delegations participating in the fifth edition of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship visited the Air Force Museum to open the eighth day of the fellowship. The fellowship, organized during this month under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and in partnership with the United Nations, is themed "Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years of Representing the Issues of the Global South." The event was attended by Major General Ismail El-Far, Senior Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports for Youth Affairs and Government Relations, Major General Magdy Dowidar, Director of the Egyptian Air Force Museum, Major General Mohamed Hamouda, Deputy Director of the Egyptian Air Force Museum, Dr. Bassam Al-Shamaa, historian and Egyptologist, and participated by about 150 young men and women from leadership roles in 80 countries worldwide, representing a variety of executive specialties, along with a group of influential youth from their communities.
The Nasser International Forum’s statement added that participants in the fifth batch of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship, during their visit to the Air Force Museum, explored the components of the museum and embarked on an extensive tour. They learned about the history of aviation, starting from images of birds in ancient Egyptian tombs, through the attempts of Abbas Ibn Firnas, all the way to the modern development of aviation. They also learned about the history of the Royal Air Force, the purchase of the first aircraft from England in 1932, the production of the first military plane during the era of President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1965, and the story of how pilots could escape from their planes. Additionally, they discovered the history and role of the Egyptian Air Force in various wars, from the 1948 War until the victory of the October 1973 War, as well as the sacrifices made by the Air Force and its development. They also observed the evolution of the officers' uniforms from 1982 until the present day, as well as rare photos of Air Force leaders since its founding, along with the medals they earned, and its participation in different wars. The participants also explored the contents of the survival kits, fighter jets, the role of the Air Force in the War of Attrition, final statistics of the October War, the development of helicopters, and the crossing and victory battles.
The Nasser International Forum’s statement clarified that the visit to the Air Force Museum also included a tour of the pilots’ briefing room, viewing a model of the October War Operations Room, and visiting the Hall of Martyrs, which contains the names and photos of Egypt's fallen heroes. The participants also visited the children's workshop and the Glory Hall, which is the main hall of the museum. Here, they watched a documentary film titled "Shield and Sword," which covered the October 1973 War, detailing the history of the Egyptian Air Force, its commanders, the battles it fought, and the role of the Egyptian Armed Forces during the October War, along with a detailed explanation of the Egyptian aircraft and their combat strategies. Participants were also introduced to the "Mansoura Air Battle," which lasted 53 minutes and is considered the largest and longest aerial battle in modern history after World War II. As a result, October 14th has been celebrated annually as Egyptian Air Force Day.
Major General Magdy Dowidar, Director of the Air Force Museum, met with the participants of the fifth batch of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship during their visit to the museum. He welcomed the participants from various nationalities and spoke about Egypt’s first strike against enemy air forces. He elaborated on the differences between Egyptian aircraft and those of the enemy at that time and confirmed that Egypt succeeded in crossing the canal after securing control of the airspace. He also noted that what was displayed in the Glory Hall was just a miniature model of what the Egyptian Air Force, and the Egyptian Armed Forces in general, do.
For his part, Dr. Bassam Al-Shamaa, historian and Egyptologist, shared with the participants in the fifth batch of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship insights into Egyptian history and ancient Egyptian civilization during their visit to the Air Force Museum. He highlighted the Step Pyramid as the oldest pyramid built and described the construction of the three pyramids, pointing out the engineers who built them and their alignment with the stars in the Orion Belt.
According to the Nasser International Forum’s statement, the activities concluded with a tour of the open exhibition area at the Air Force Museum, which contains real fighter planes and models of Egyptian Air Force planes. Participants learned about the history and origin of each aircraft and reviewed all types of combat planes and the wars they participated in. The tour also included an interactive experience where participants viewed a flight film about Egypt’s aerobatic team using a model airplane equipped with screens. The participants expressed pride and admiration for what they saw at the Air Force Museum and the military equipment they learned about, praising the glorious history of the Egyptian Air Force. They also thanked the Egyptian Armed Forces for their role in the October victory, which restored the dignity of the Egyptian and Arab people, and commended the professionalism of the Egyptian soldier. The participants emphasized that the visit reflected the great human effort invested in preserving history for future generations, which reinforced their sense of belonging and pride in their country. They also lauded the significant role played by the Armed Forces in protecting the nation and providing a model of sacrifice and loyalty.
On his part, Hassan Ghazali, founder of the Nasser International Forum, stated that the visit to the Egyptian Air Force Museum was part of the effort to familiarize the fellowship participants with the history of the Egyptian Air Force up to the present day, including its role in the ongoing battle against terrorism. He emphasized that this visit is an opportunity to raise awareness about Egypt’s glorious history and introduce young people from different nationalities to the pivotal role the Air Force plays in protecting the nation and preserving its sanctities. Ghazali pointed out that the Egyptian Armed Forces have always been a source of pride for all Egyptians, serving as a powerful shield that protects the country from both internal and external conspiracies. He also affirmed that such visits contribute to reinforcing values of belonging and loyalty, and help build enlightened leadership awareness among youth worldwide.
Workshop on "People’s Diplomacy" within the Activities of the Eighth Day of the Fifth Batch of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship
The Nasser International Forum announced the continuation of the activities on the eighth day of the fifth batch of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship, which is organized in May under the theme "Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years of Representing the Issues of the Global South," by organizing a specialized workshop titled "People’s Diplomacy." The workshop was led by an exceptional team of facilitators, including distinguished graduates of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship and the African School, with extensive experience in their fields. These facilitators were Dr. Ahmed Mokhtar, a public policy and advocacy consultant at the British Council’s Center for Information and Decision Support and a graduate of the second batch of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship, Dr. Raga'a Magdy, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University and a graduate of the fourth batch, Dr. Basim Maghrabi, a political science and public administration lecturer at Suez Canal University and a graduate of the third batch, and Dr. Rasha Hussein, a technical member at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and a graduate of the 2063 African School. This team shared their diverse experiences to support the fellowship’s goals and assist the participants in developing their skills and knowledge.
In its statement, the Nasser International Forum explained that during the workshop on People’s Diplomacy, various types of people’s diplomacy were discussed, including sports, cultural, scientific, and youth diplomacy, and whether diplomacy is an art or a science. The discussion also addressed the role of diplomacy between countries and between ordinary citizens. They explored modern diplomatic studies, comparing public or people’s diplomacy to traditional diplomacy. The workshop also delved into discussions on current global issues affecting human security and stability in the context of promoting peace and sustainable development. This contributed to enhancing participants' dialogue, negotiation, and intercultural communication skills. The workshop included interactive role-play activities simulating international institutions, with participants divided into four groups, each representing a different organization: "War Prevention and Peace Promotion" (Arab League), "Climate Protection for the Planet" (United Nations), "The Global Refugee Crisis" (African Union), and "Cultural Heritage Protection" (UNESCO). The participants simulated people’s diplomacy in various forms such as sports, science, climate, and culture, and each group presented a two-minute video showcasing their findings.
Hassan Ghazali, the founder of the Nasser International Forum, stated that the workshop on People’s Diplomacy reflects one of the core elements of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship program. It holds great significance in helping young people understand their essential roles in bridging gaps between nations and expanding horizons for cultural and diplomatic exchange. It not only provides theoretical concepts about informal diplomacy but also offers practical, interactive experiences that develop participants' dialogue, negotiation, and teamwork skills.
The Nasser International Forum concluded its statement by noting that these events aim to enrich the experiences of youth from around the world, teaching them the values of diplomacy, peace-building, and sustainable development in alignment with Egypt’s ongoing commitment to global cooperation.
