In cooperation with the European Liberal Forum (ELF) the Regional Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation will host an international conference titled "Bridging the Gap: Arab-European Dialogue Forum on the Basics of Liberalism" in Cairo from May 16-18, 2013.

This two-day workshop stands at the beginning of a structured dialogue between liberally minded political stake holders and academics in the Arab world and Europe about the basics of liberalism. The educational activity aims at reaching a common understanding on the basics of liberalism.

While we know that Arab and European liberals have distinct political and cultural backgrounds, the objective is to identify and emphasize the common points without ignoring possible divergences.

As capacity is limited, the workshop is open only to invited guests. If you are interested to join the activity, please send a motivation letter to egypt (at) fnst (dot) org.

Draft program of Bridging the Gap

The role, the priorities and objectives as well as the challenges of the Foundation's work in Egypt and the region stood at the center of a half an hour interview of Regional Director Dr. Ronald Meinardus with Nile International, Egypt's international broadcaster on February 19, 2013. The live-interview in the series "The Daily Debate" offered the Foundation's representative an opportunity to speak about FNF's projects, priorities and partners.

Read more on A half an hour of uncensored talk with FNF's Regional Director on Nile International TV.

Egypt's Minister of State for Youth Dr. Osama Yassin and the Regional Director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) Dr. Ronald Meinardus signed a cooperation agreement aimed at improving civic education techniques to develop citizenship for youth. The agreement has a duration of twelve months and is a follow-up of a successful twelve years cooperation between the Egyptian Ministry and the German Foundation.

The joint project aims at supporting youth participation and democratic practices. The agreement mentions a series of educative activities the partnering institutions will conduct, among them seminars on the role of civil society, human rights, pluralism and tolerance. The agreement also stipulates that presentation skills and other methodological matters will be dealt with.

Read more on Youth Ministry, Foundation Sign Cooperation Agreement.