Moment of Truth.. National Youth Conference to Kick off at NAC

By: Elham Aboul Fateh

On Tuesday, one of the most prominent and enthusiastic conferences, the seventh national youth conference “Innovate ..Advance", is set to kick off at the New Administrative Capital “NAC”. This conference will be attended by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. I think it will be one of the most powerful conferences, as it will discuss national issues such as the protectionist measures for the most needy citizens through Hayah Karima (Decent Life) initiative.

The conference will address the state's plans, explain their dimensions and provide the opportunity for young people to discuss their ideas and visions on implementing the state's plans, procedures of economic reform, state budget and administrative reforms such as the digital transformation, government marketing, and the impact of all these issues on the Egyptian economy and the citizens’ life.

The youth also will review their views on the Egyptian position towards regional and international issues and their effects on the internal situation.

All these will come through a simulation model of the Egyptian state in which some young people take the role of the executive authority while the others take the  role of legislative authority with the presence of a group of youth representing the street and parties.

The conference has turned youth from a listener to a negotiator to the government, but to the president himself. The youth review their views and ideas on various issues and files in a way that confirms that the state has a new ideology and interests centered on the Egyptian youth. President El Sisi is always keen on meeting the Egyptian young people, listening to their questions and suggestions on all matters, without any red lines during the session of "Ask the President".

In the previous six conferences, we have noticed the president listening, discussing, holding dialogue, answering all questions, correcting the concepts, containing our sons, representing not only the President of the Republic , but the father and the leader.

The discussions do not focus only on political and economic issues but also social and cultural ones, the president also encourages the youth to criticize, oppose and ask all their questions.

The conference which tours Egypt’s cities and governorates, is held this time at the New Administrative Capital that represents the symbol of the Egyptian challenge and will as the President insisted on making it one of the largest national projects established in record time.

As usual, the president raced against time to establish one of the most beautiful cities, I consider that holding the youth a conference at the Administrative Capital represents a miracle. Nearly, 1500 public figures will attend the conference including media professionals, businessmen, ambassadors of the African Union, Egyptian officials as well as youth from universities, parties, the presidential program for the rehabilitation of young people for leadership, innovators, thinkers, and youth selected after registration in the conference website.

What attracted my attention this time is the graduation ceremony of the first batch of the African Youth Rehabilitation Program, following the success of the Egyptian pioneering experience in the rehabilitation and empowerment of the Egyptian  youth.

The National Academy for Youth Training and Rehabilitation trained young people from 29 African countries in the first batch. This step is one of the recommendations of Aswan World Youth forum, which has had many recommendations, including holding the Arab-African Youth Forum.

The Youth Conference has become one of the most important conferences in Egypt and Africa. It is an opportunity to listen to the youth and a chance for us to see Egypt with their eyes, the eyes of the future.