Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said said the Development Ambassadors Initiative which is launched under the title of "Be an Ambassador" is meant to spread the culture of comprehensive and sustainable development through organizing a series of training courses for various segments of the Egyptian society. In a statement released by Egypt's Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the minister said the initiative is held in partnership with the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD). El-Said added that it also provides Egyptian youth with the skills needed to apply the foundations of comprehensive and integrated development. The initiative will be implemented through various productive and service activities and areas, with the aim of improving the standard of living of Egyptians, said the minister. The ministry invited young people aged between 18 and 35 to join the initiative, with the deadline for applications set for November. She said more than 7,000 applicants from various governorates have requested joining the initiative. She added that it will start with training university and school graduates and scouts. Accepted participants have already answered some queries to measure some of their skills including self-confidence, marketing, self-learning as well as their previous practical and voluntary actions. Each trainee will be given an NIGSD accredited certificate to become ambassador for sustainable development in their societies, according to El-Said. The minister called on young people to participate in the initiative to qualify for spreading awareness on sustainable development and implementing its goals. NIGSD Executive Director Sherifa Sherif explained that the evaluation committee comprises representatives from ministries concerned in addition to development partners from the private sector, civil society and academics who will vet candidacy applications. She added that participants in the program will also receive training on the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), the green and circular economies as a means to achieve sustainable development, the basic axes for achieving sustainable development, and Egypt's sustainable development priorities and their relationship to the UN's SDGs.
