Report :

After having participated in several workshops offered by FNF within Egypt, it was a great opportunity for me to join the International Academy for Leadership in the town of Gummersbach, a town that is quiet both day and night; and within the building of the Academy that is somewhat isolated up a hill. The workshop, however, also took place amidst amicable relations prevalent among participants, staff, and moderators.

The workshop focused on the role of political parties and NGOs in society and examined potential cooperation amongst the two. There was also an exploration of the characteristics of NGOs and parties, as well as an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. The discussions and working groups reflected a great deal of maturity and cooperation. I have realized for the first time in my life that dictatorships exist worldwide. I have also managed to change the stereotype I had in my mind about countries around the world. Moreover, I was very happy for having met young people from almost all the continents, and for being introduced to various cultures.

Despite the intensity of the content of the workshop, we were able to enjoy our excursion to Dresden in the eastern part of Germany. We also managed to visit one of the Nazi concentration camps in Weimar, and we were introduced to the torture and killing sustained by the detainees. I felt even sadder after having read Egypt's name on the memorial in the Camp on which the names of countries of victims detained in there were inscribed. I have never thought that the truth of Nazi Germany was as tragic as I saw it in the camp.

We had another visit to the local parliament in the state of Dresden where we were given a presentation by one of the representatives of the FDP who is also an MP in this local parliament. In fact, I understood the huge difference in the functions of local councils and those of legislative councils, as well as the difference between Egypt and Germany, in this regard.

I realized through my participation in the training together with many young leaders from around the world that together we will make in the future a new world more aware and more respectful of human rights, more professional politically, more peace-loving and more anti-violence.