CAIRO: Egyptian blogger and activist Sarah Abdelrahman was awarded this week with the Edberg Award for her use of social media during the Egyptian and Arab uprisings, the Swedish Embassy in Cairo said in a statement. Abdelrahman received the award for “her courageous use of social media, giving young people a voice in support of democracy causes that are universal to all people regardless of age, gender and cultural affiliation – goals that are prerequisites for social justice, human rights and that create a platform to solve environmental problems.” “I think this award should go to the thousands of people who sacrificed their lives for the revolution and the millions who are continuing it,” Abdelrahman, currently in Canada, told Youm7 by phone. A 23-year-old journalism and theater graduate of the American University in Cairo, Abdelrahman was involved in activism in Egypt before the January 25 Revolution that overthrew the country's 30-year ruler and his regime. She said she intends to donate the prize money – around $7,000, she told Youm7 – but that she has not decided where or who to give it to. She said she was considering the Maspiro youth union, speaking to Youm7 two days after Sunday's deadly Maspiro clashes. “Not only did Ms. Abdelrahman demand that a dictator must fall, but she also became a voice for young people who rightfully ask to be part of the process of building a new, democratic society,” said the Swedish Embassy's press release. The award will be presented to Abdelrahman in a ceremony in Sweden on October 24. The Edberg Foundation awards a stipend and environmental award annually to one person "who, through personal commitment, has worked for sustainable development in the spirit of global solidarity."
