Bibliotheca Alexandrina launches National Identity Charter

The "Egyptian Identity: Deep-Rooted Heritage, Renewed Vision" conference concluded on September 23, 2021, with the launch of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina's National Identity Charter. The gathering, hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and attended by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdel Aziz Konsowa, Presidential Adviser for Local Development Khaled Fouda, Bibliotheca Alexandrina Director Ahmed Zayed, and other officials, intellectuals, and researchers, aimed to discuss the challenges and preservation of national identity in Egypt.

Throughout the conference's three days, various topics were addressed, such as "Identity Between the Past, Present and Future" and "Identity and Cultural Discourse." Panels and discussions tackled issues like the role of digital transformation, political Islam movements, economic and social challenges, and the responsibility for identity preservation among different institutions.

Fouda highlighted that identity lies not solely within the purview of one institution, but rather, it is a shared responsibility of society as a whole. He emphasized the importance of combining expertise with the energy of young people and ideas with action to preserve national identity and raise awareness among future generations. The conference would thus become an annual platform for continued work and dialogue on national identity.

The National Identity Charter, a comprehensive framework for agreed-upon principles and priorities, emerged from the conference. Addressing the charter, Zayed pointed out that Egyptian identity has evolved through cultural interactions and integration over a long history. He stressed that the charter is the result of extensive societal dialogue involving government agencies, civil society organizations, and private-sector entities.

The objective is to strengthen national identity as a foundation for social cohesion, citizenship, development, and progress, while enabling Egyptians to engage with the world.

With globalization, digital transformation, and regional tensions posing significant challenges to national identities, the charter aims to promote an inclusive and evolving identity that embraces diversity, social cohesion, active citizenship, and sustainable development. Zayed noted that the charter addresses various stakeholders in the societal partnership framework, including families, educational institutions, media outlets, religious and cultural institutions, and civil society organizations.

It also caters to entities working to maintain connections with Egyptians living abroad. The key principles of the charter include raising awareness of identity threats, acknowledging the influence of social transformations on national identity, emphasizing social cohesion for societal advancement, and strengthening society's resilience against forces aiming to undermine cohesion.