For the second time, the Regional Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) will participate with a stand at the Cairo International Book Fair. The Foundation's books will be presented in a special section of the booth of our publishing partner Mahrousa in the Hall Germany 2 of the Exhibition Center. FNF's display will include books of the Arab language series "Liberal Publications" and "Transition to Democracy" as well as other publications produced by our Egyptian partners.

The 43rd Cairo International Book Fair will kick of on January 22 and run through to February 7 with a two days interruption on January 25 and 26 for the anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution. "For us, this is a great opportunity to interact with the Egyptian public and display to people interested in reading our liberal publications", said Regional Director Dr. Ronald Meinardus. FNF-staff will be present throughout the duration of the Fair and answer visitors' question.

The books will be sold at discounted prices and visitors may receive small presents. During this year's book fair, a series of cultural events will be held focusing on the "Arab Spring"; 29 Arab and foreign countries have signed up to participate with Tunisia as the guest of honor.

For many years, training programs for journalists are an important element of the educative activities of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty's (FNF) project work in Egypt. In the run-up to the parliamentary elections which will kick off on November 28, 2011, the Foundation is sponsoring a series of trainings aimed at enhancing the professional skills of Egyptian journalists. The programs are targeting journalists from various media with a special interest in matters related to the elections.

"The lack of systematic and institutionalized journalism training is one of the challenges of the media in this country", says Dr. Ronald Meinardus, the Regional Director of the Foundation who has a professional background as a radio editor in Germany before he joined FNF.

An important component of the Foundation's efforts has been the publication of a manual entitled "Journalists and Elections". The 300-pages book has been published with the renowned Al Ahram Foundation and aims at explaining in clear and simple terms the provisions of the press law and the electoral system.

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"The People Demand. Liberal Features of the Egyptian Revolution" is the title of a documentary film sponsored by the Regional Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) and launched during a public forum at Rawabit Cultural Center in Cairo on September 26, 2011. The film features historic pictures of Egypt's Revolution and commentary by leading representatives of the country's liberal movement who played an active role in the uprising.

"In Tahrir Square, all political powers unified under one thing: they all wanted democracy, freedom and true liberal values", says Dr. Osama Als Ghazali Harb, the former President of the liberal Democratic Front Party (DFP) "The January 25 Revolution was a direct expression of liberalism", he concludes.

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