{"id":12054,"date":"2024-09-06T22:08:59","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T20:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/?p=12054"},"modified":"2024-09-08T22:11:16","modified_gmt":"2024-09-08T20:11:16","slug":"professor-hossam-badrawis-speech-at-the-venice-conference-on-the-mediterranean-basin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/professor-hossam-badrawis-speech-at-the-venice-conference-on-the-mediterranean-basin\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor Hossam Badrawi\u2019s speech at the Venice Conference on the Mediterranean Basin"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Professor Hossam Badrawi\u2019s speech at the Venice Conference on the Mediterranean Basin
\nFriday, September 6, 2024 in Arabic:
\n\u201cMy friend Professor Saporito
\nLadies and gentlemen, distinguished colleagues,
\nI share with you with passion the objectives of the conference and my readiness to participate in our future work plans.
\nYou all know that Egypt\u2019s location in the Mediterranean is not only geographical; it is deeply rooted in history and culture.
\nEgypt was a beacon of knowledge and culture. The city of Alexandria became one of the most important centers of learning in the ancient world.
\nThe Library of Alexandria was a symbol of the Mediterranean\u2019s role as a meeting place for science, attracting scholars from all over the region. This tradition of intellectual exchange is something we continue to draw inspiration from today.
\nEgypt stands out as a symbol of continuity and resilience. Despite many challenges, Egypt has maintained its cultural identity and been a stabilizing force in the Mediterranean.
\nThe Mediterranean has always been more than just a body of water. It is a cradle of civilizations, a crossroads of cultures, and a living witness to the shared heritage of humanity.
\nFrom the Phoenicians and Greeks to Egyptians and Ottomans, this region has been a center of exchange \u2013 of goods, ideas, and people \u2013 for thousands of years.<\/p>\n

But today, as we stand at the intersection of past glory and future potential, the Mediterranean is also a mirror of global crises and opportunities.\u201d
\n**The Mediterranean as a historical center:**
\n\u201cIn this great basin, empires have risen and fallen, religions have intertwined, and cultures have merged.
\nThe Mediterranean is not just a geographical feature; it is a symbol of human connection.<\/p>\n

But it has also been a theater of conflict \u2013 a place where differences in religion, culture, and politics have led to conflict.<\/p>\n

This duality, this constant tension between conflict and cooperation, is what makes the Mediterranean unique, and why its future is so important to the world.\u201d
\n**The role of institutions:**
\n\u201cWe recognize the importance of institutions like UNESCO that have long sought to exploit the potential of the Mediterranean to promote peace and cooperation.<\/p>\n

In 1995, UNESCO launched the Mediterranean Programme, a bold initiative aimed at fostering new institutions, NGOs, and projects across the region.
\nThis programme was built on the belief that through dialogue and cooperation, the Mediterranean can become a model of peaceful coexistence.<\/p>\n

Many of these initiatives are still active today, a testament to the enduring power of institutional support in shaping the destiny of the region.\u201d
\n**Today\u2019s Challenges and Opportunities:**
\n\u201cBut the Mediterranean today faces new challenges \u2013 challenges that are global in nature but that have a particularly acute impact on this region.<\/p>\n

Political instability, migration crises, and environmental degradation are just some of the pressing issues.<\/p>\n

Traditional institutions continue to play a vital role, but they are often overburdened.<\/p>\n

At the same time, there is a growing sense that these challenges cannot be solved by institutions alone.<\/p>\n

We need the energy, creativity and innovation of young people.\u201d
\n**New Generation Mediterranean Community:**
\n\u201cHere lies the opportunity. Today\u2019s generation of young people is more connected than ever before thanks to advances in information and communication technologies.<\/p>\n

They are creating a new language \u2013 a common cultural and linguistic framework that transcends national borders.<\/p>\n

These young people are not just passive recipients of culture; Rather, they are active creators, shaping a new Mediterranean identity that is inclusive, dynamic, and future-oriented.\u201d
\n**Virtual Forum Proposal:**
\nAs I discussed with Professor Saporito,
\n\u201cWith this in mind, I support the proposal that we take a bold step forward: the creation of a new Virtual Forum \u2013 a digital meeting place where people from across the Mediterranean can come together to exchange ideas, engage in dialogue, and build a shared vision of peace and tolerance.
\nThis Forum will not be just a platform; it will be a community, a space where the voices of young people are heard and where they can lead the way in addressing the region\u2019s challenges.\u201d
\n**Conclusion:**
\n\u201cIn conclusion, the destiny of the Mediterranean is not simply a matter of preserving the past; it is about building the future. It is about empowering the new generation to take responsibility for their shared heritage and use it as the basis for a more peaceful and tolerant Mediterranean society. Let us support them in this endeavor, because in doing so we will ensure that the Mediterranean remains a beacon of civilization \u2013 not just in history, but in the years to come.\u201d
\n\u201cThank you
\nHossam Badrawi\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n