Session on changes in world map kicks off in Sharm El Sheikh

SHARM EL SHEIKH - 5 November 2018: A session under the name of "In a Rapidly Changing World Map: “Who Provides the World with Energy?” kicked off on Monday, the third day of the World Youth Forum proceedings.

The second edition of WYF is held under the sponsorship of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, gathering youth from different regions of the world with the aim of discussing various national and international issues that concern and globally influence young people.

This year's forum adopts the seven pillars of the Egyptian identity as its main theme. It revolves around a vision inspired by “The Seven Pillars of the Egyptian Identity”, a book by Egyptian Author Dr. Milad Hanna written for the purpose of emphasizing the unity and harmony of the Egyptian society despite divergences and differences. In keeping with this approach, all the forum events were convened to be held in the light of those pillars that envision the communicative nature of the Egyptian society that has managed throughout the ages to be a linking point between different societies.

Milad Hanna is one of the most prominent political intellectuals in Egypt. He obtained his civil engineering degree from the university of Ain Shams in 1945. He was awarded Doctor of Construction Engineering from Saint Andrews University in Scotland in 1950. In the years that followed, he occupied several academic posts until he was appointed Full Professor of engineering at Ain Shams University in 1984. He was also a member of the Supreme Council of Cultural Affairs in Egypt.

The second annual edition of the WYF will tackle two main axes: peace and development. The forum will bring together 5,000 youths represented by 60 delegations from across the world to explore key issues facing their generation, and determine their role in implementing the global development goals and in facing terrorism.

On Nov. 1 and 2, the forum witnessed pre-workshops related to the "agenda 2063: The Africa We Want" and "Empowering Persons with Disabilities: Towards a More Integrated World."

The opening of the World Youth Theater took place on Friday, November 2. The actual discussion sessions are planned to start on November 4, where participants will discuss a number of issues, including differences among cultures and civilizations, the role of world leaders in building and sustaining peace, the role of soft power in countering ideological extremism and terrorism, and Day Zero: Water security in the wake of climate change.

On November 5, the sessions will tackle the role of entrepreneurs and start-ups in global economic growth, rebuilding societies and states after conflicts, narrowing the gender gap in the labor market and humanitarian assistance: A global responsibility in the face of challenges.

The forum's closing session and the announcement of the World Youth Forum 2018's recommendations will take place on Nov. 6.

Additional Report with MENA