NASSER FELLOWSHIP

The fellowship was first launched in 2019 as the first African-African youth fellowship, coinciding with Egypt's presidency of the African Union, under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Office. This was done to tangibly transfer the Egyptian development experience in the context of activating the concept of African cooperation and integration, in which Egypt plays a leading role. After the first edition, the fellowship received the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and expanded to include the continents of Asia, Australia, Latin America, and Europe in addition to the African continent, which became known as South-South cooperation, making it accessible to all young people around the world.

About Previous Batches:

• First Batch 2019: Targeted young African leaders with the participation of 120 young men and women from 28 countries, under the auspices of the Egyptian Prime Minister's Office, and coincided with Egypt's presidency of the African Union.
• Second Batch 2021: Came under the slogan "South-South Cooperation" with the participation of 150 young leaders from 42 countries across three continents (Africa, Asia, and Latin America), under the patronage of the President.
• Third Batch 2022: Came under the slogan "Non-Aligned Movement Youth," with the participation of 170 young leaders from 65 countries around the world, and was also under the patronage of the President.
• Fourth Batch 2023: Under the slogan "Non-Aligned Movement Youth and South-South Cooperation" with the participation of 150 young leaders from 55 countries around the world, aiming to highlight the role of Non-Aligned Movement youth in developing South-South cooperation in a rapidly changing world and ways to develop this cooperation through youth as an influential and sustainable mechanism, with a focus on the role of women, and under the patronage of the President.

Over five years, the fellowship has reached approximately 590 participants from 90 countries, and about 34 local, continental, and international institutions and partnerships. The delegations met with about 15 ministers and 35 ambassadors from the Egyptian diplomatic corps and representatives of many countries from around the world. In addition to its local media success, it has received positive feedback from international news agencies, and its media coverage has exceeded 450 print, audio, and electronic media platforms and newspapers. Its success has achieved the concept of sustainability with minimal resources, resulting in about 67 development initiatives and projects.

The documentary video of the fellowship (fourth batch) can be viewed by clicking on this link.

The fifth batch’s Theme: Egypt and the UN – 80 years Representing the Global South Issues

Egypt participated in the founding of the United Nations in 1945 and has since played a pivotal role in supporting the causes of the Global South. It has adopted a vision that combines its commitment to the principles of international justice with the pursuit of achieving independent development for itself and the peoples of the developing world. For 80 years, Egypt has been a model of a state that balances national commitment with global openness, striving to amplify the voice of the Global South and strengthen cooperation among its members.

Since its active participation in drafting the UN Charter, Egypt has recognized the importance of the United Nations as an international platform for defending the causes of developing countries. With Egypt playing a pivotal role in the independence of many Global South countries in the 1950s and 1960s, Egypt even led intensive efforts to support these countries within the UN before they gained independence by sending national leaders from Cairo to New York to present their just causes to the General Assembly, believing in the principle of solidarity and conveying the voices of the peoples of the Global South.

During the colonial era, Egypt played a leading role in supporting national liberation movements and used its UN membership to convey the voice of these movements to the international community. Egypt has always been a strong voice in defending the rights of peoples to self-determination, and through its diplomatic role, it has strengthened the position of liberation movements as part of the international agenda.

With the evolving role of the United Nations in supporting sustainable development, Egypt has remained at the forefront of countries seeking to strengthen this path in the Global South. In line with the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, Egypt has launched several initiatives aimed at:

• Strengthening regional cooperation through joint projects with African countries, such as the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and neighboring countries.
• Transferring development expertise, as Egypt contributes to transferring its expertise in building national institutions and economic development to developing countries.
• Empowering youth and women as key drivers of development by enhancing their participation.

Over the past eight decades, Egypt has actively participated in all issues related to international peace and security, whether as a non-permanent member of the Security Council or through its forces participating in UN peacekeeping operations. Egypt is one of the largest contributors of peacekeeping forces, reflecting its deep commitment to supporting stability in conflict-affected areas. Egypt has also focused in recent years on activating the principle of South-South cooperation, which aims to strengthen cooperation among developing countries to address common challenges. This approach is part of a comprehensive Egyptian strategy aimed at:

• Exchanging expertise and technology through joint educational and development initiatives.
• Promoting intra-trade to reduce dependence on northern markets.
• Developing regional infrastructure to enhance economic connectivity between Southern countries.

Despite the achievements made, developing countries still face significant challenges such as poverty, climate change, and economic inequality. Based on this, Egypt believes in the importance of strengthening the role of the United Nations in addressing these challenges by reforming the international structure to ensure more equitable representation for Southern countries in global decision-making, as well as strengthening sustainable financing mechanisms to support development projects in developing countries, in addition to empowering youth as future leaders who carry a sustainable vision for growth and progress.

Selection Criteria and Evaluation Mechanisms for the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership

The Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership aims to select an elite group of young leaders from around the globe based on precise and equitable criteria that reflect adherence to the principles of transparency and equal opportunity. These criteria align with Egypt’s Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the continental, regional, and global agendas to which the Arab Republic of Egypt is committed. The comprehensive participant selection system ensures social justice and promotes leadership innovation.

First: General Conditions

• Age Group: Applicants must be aged between 18 and 40 years.
• Nationality: The fellowship is open to youth from all countries worldwide.
• Language: Proficiency in English is required, as it is the official language of the fellowship.
• Not resident in Egypt: Applicants must not be residents of Egypt.

Second: Selection Criteria

1. Leadership and Professional Qualifications: Eligible applicants include decision-makers from the public and private sectors, graduates of programs under the League of Arab States, the African Union, and the United Nations, alumni of the National Academy for Leadership, executive leaders in public and private sectors, representatives of national committees for the World Youth Festival, members of national branches of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Network, civil society activists, heads of national youth councils, sports federations, sports champions, municipal council members, young political party leaders, university faculty members, researchers in strategic and intellectual research centers, members of professional syndicates, journalists, media professionals, content creators, social entrepreneurs, and more.
2. Gender and Inclusivity:
   • Gender Equality: 50% of seats are allocated to women and 50% to men.
   • Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities: 5% of seats are reserved for persons with disabilities.

Third: Evaluation Mechanisms

1. Initial Evaluation:
   • Review of compliance with basic eligibility criteria.
   • Assessment of the quality, clarity, realism, and accuracy of responses in essay questions and the attached video.
2. Key Evaluation Criteria:
   • English Proficiency: Assessing the applicant’s level of fluency in English.
   • Video Quality: Evaluating the applicant’s ability to clearly present ideas.
   • International Experience: Participation in international conferences or programs.
   • Geographical Diversity: Ensuring diverse representation of participants.
3. Personal Evaluation of Applicants:
   • The Organic Intellectual: Applicants with a cultural or developmental project aiming to create positive societal impact, reflecting their commitment to serving and advancing their communities.
   • Certificate Hoarder: Applicants focusing solely on academic achievements without significant societal impact may align less with the fellowship’s objectives.
4. Engagement in Global South Issues and International Work:
   • Social Media Impact: Analyzing the applicant’s influence on social platforms and their recognizing technology’s vital role.
   • Interaction with Official Platforms: Tracking the applicant’s engagement with the fellowship’s official platforms and adherence to its guidelines as an indicator of cooperation and commitment.
   • Email Communication: Clear and accurate responses to emails during selection stages as a measure of the applicant’s seriousness.
   • Awareness of Global South Issues: Evaluating the applicant’s understanding and support for issues such as sustainable development, poverty alleviation, inclusive education, climate justice, and reducing social and economic inequalities.
   • Local Impact: Assessing the applicant’s influence within their local community through initiatives and projects that align with regional agendas such as Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.
   • Experience in International Platforms: Identifying applicants with prior experience in international programs, UN conferences, or global dialogues fostering South-South cooperation.
   • Understanding of Global Dimensions: Assessing the applicant’s comprehension of international issues and their relevance to the fellowship’s goals.
   • South-South Cooperation: Priority is given to applicants who actively promote partnerships and collaboration between Global South nations, in line with the UN-supported South-South Cooperation Strategy.
   • Vision for Future Contributions: Evaluating the applicant’s clear vision for enhancing South-South cooperation and offering innovative solutions to shared challenges after completing the fellowship. This is reflected in the applicant’s future plans as presented in the application and accompanying video.

The Nasser International Forum is a leading platform aimed at supporting and empowering youth through the provision of a variety of programs designed to enhance international cooperation and build youth capacities. Among the Forum's programs are the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership, the Nasser Youth Movement Program for Supporting Bilateral Relations, the Training and Development Program for Students in Translation and International Media, as well as the Articles and Opinions Portal, which serves as a platform for youth voices.

Through the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership, the Forum highlights its role as one of Egypt's key contributors to supporting international development efforts. It does so by preparing deserving youth through the provision of various forms of support and training to enhance their capabilities and empower them to take on leadership and executive roles. The Forum also seeks to leverage the energy and ideas of youth to achieve sustainable development in their communities, with a focus on transferring the Egyptian developmental experience in establishing institutions and building national character.

The Forum, through its various programs, especially the Nasser Fellowship, underscores its commitment to implementing relevant international and local frameworks, such as the United Nations Resolutions on Youth, Egypt's Vision 2030, the Africa Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Framework for Cooperation on Sustainable Development. The Forum also fosters South-South partnerships and supports the African Union's roadmap for investing in youth, alongside its adherence to the African Youth Charter and the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement. In this context, the Forum contributes to achieving gender equality in accordance with the fifth Sustainable Development Goal, and provides opportunities for youth leaders from various countries to interact and form partnerships, thereby enhancing cooperation both at the continental and global levels, in alignment with the seventeenth Sustainable Development Goal.

The Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership draws upon the Wing of Ma’at and the Seven Pillars of Egyptian Identity as symbolic references inspired by the profound depth of Egyptian history. These symbols serve as a philosophical and historical framework reflecting the essence of enlightened leadership. They derive from Egypt’s rich heritage universal values aligned with the demands of sustainable development and social justice.

The Wing of Ma’at embodies the principles of justice, balance, and order—foundational values of ancient Egyptian civilization. Ma’at was a global symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and ethical discipline.

The Seven Pillars of Egyptian Identity represent the diversity and integration of Egypt’s national identity, encompassing seven affiliations: the uninterrupted legacy of ancient Egyptian civilization, the Greco-Roman dimension, Coptic and Islamic religious traditions, African roots, the Mediterranean aspect, and Arab culture. These pillars symbolize Egypt’s historical ability to interact with diverse cultures while preserving its unified and inclusive national identity.

Fellowship’s long-term viability

The Nasser Youth Movement initiative emerged from the womb of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership. This pioneering development model was launched five years ago on July 23, 2019, to create a new and dynamic network of youth relations characterized by high ideals and solidarity. Its branches around the world have been continuously launching events, initiatives, and programs to develop youth and enhance their skills through training and qualification, as well as building partnerships and finding ways to cooperate among countries worldwide through its graduates in 67 countries across four continents: Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia, and Europe. They have launched numerous development programs in the field of youth qualification, empowerment, and entrepreneurship to serve their countries.

Over the past few years, the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership has garnered global acclaim, and its success has achieved the concept of sustainability with minimal resources. Its impact has extended to approximately 11,700 beneficiaries of its projects, and its branches have now reached about 67 countries. These branches foster cooperation, partnership, and uphold high ideals, solidarity, and integration. They welcome not only the fellowship's graduates but also all those who believe in the principles of multilateral integration and cooperation.

The movement has resulted in several cultural and community initiatives, most notably the “website”.

The fellowship’s official website

Believing in the significant role of providing a space for creativity and the importance of documenting all field activities, the website was launched in five languages. It serves as a global youth platform that documents the work and activities of the Nasser Fellowship everywhere, monitoring their impact. It also allows youth, influencers, leaders, researchers, and thinkers from all over the world in various fields to express their opinions and analyses, and share their scientific articles, intellectual, and literary contributions through a platform titled “Articles and Opinions”. To participate, one can submit their work for publication on the portal.

The website represents one of the most prominent forms of cultural sustainability through technology, with an average of 22,456 visits from about 123 countries around the world. It contains approximately 4,956 articles on a wide range of topics, including politics, arts, literature, history, and media. These articles are created by around 223 volunteers from graduates and student cadres who specialize in media and languages in five languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Swahili, Russian, and Urdu through social media platforms.)

The website also contains more than 170 statements and media coverage of the fellowship members' news, serving as a special electronic archive for them that documents the most important milestones in their professional careers. This enhances their active participation in the fields of social and cultural development. In addition, the 'Articles and Opinions' portal, which was recently launched and contains about 485 articles in the five official languages of the website, is open to all young people worldwide and covers various fields and specialties.