In a landmark event on 12 October some 1000 children and 480 young Egyptians across five Upper Egypt governorates were given access to artistic and cultural tools as a means for self-development.
Access to Culture for Upper Egypt Children and Youth is a two-year European-funded programme implemented by The Association of Upper Egypt For Education and Development (AUEED), one of the most established Egyptian NGOs working in development. The programme will be implemented in collaboration with the culture, solidarity and youth ministry.
In corporation with the ministries of Youth, Culture, and Social Solidarity, AUEED started a new programme called “Children and Youth have Access to Culture in Upper Egypt”. The programme aims to increase cultural knowledge and musical participation in 13 disadvantaged villages throughout 5 governorates in Upper Egypt.
The programme is also funded by the European Union (EU), which has allocated 263,500 Euros as budget.
“This programme aims to help in enhancing knowledge and skills through music, dance, theatre, and festivals,” said James Moran, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt. “It will further contribute to develop a sustainable economy as well as offer opportunities to youth”.
It also targets developing artistic and cultural activities of 1,000 children and 480 youth, and training 65 ‘cultural leaders’, including teachers and artists from five governorates in Upper Egypt – Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Qena, and Luxor – over two years. Moreover, it offers small grants to provide the groups participating with cultural productions.
Starting from January 2016, the program will teach students music, drama, poetry, and drawing. The project further seeks to enable cultural organisations to manage and lead cultural and artistic programmes within their communities.
“Our schools are the sources of enlightenment and sustainable development in Upper Egypt,” AUEED executive manager Dina Raouf said. “We believe there are many opportunities for development there, which will allow us to confront poverty through education, health, and cultural development programmes. This will also provide economic development opportunities”.
Watani International
21 October 2015