In a vibrant celebration of Egyptian heritage and national progress, Egypt’s Minister of Local Development, Dr. Manal Awad, was honored during a special visit to the Toronto area. Invited by the Egyptian community in Mississauga, Dr. Awad attended the “Egypt is Always With You” event, where she received accolades from the Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association (CEHA) and Philopateer Christian College (PCC).
The recognition highlighted Dr. Awad’s pivotal role in advancing local development initiatives across Egypt’s governorates, improving citizens’ quality of life, and driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in Egypt’s Vision 2030 strategy. She was also commended for fostering connections between Egyptians at home and abroad, being recognized as an inspiring Egyptian model for empowering women in all spheres, and her prior achievement of receiving the Arab Government Excellence Award.
The prestigious event saw attendance from numerous high-profile figures, including the Egyptian Ambassador to Canada, Ahmed Hafez; Consul General Nabil Mekky; PCC Director Phoebe Wasfi; and Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Sheref Sabawy. A large contingent of Ontario officials and members of the Egyptian diaspora gathered to celebrate Minister Awad’s contributions.
Diaspora Praised for Patriotism and Support
During her address, Minister Awad lauded the Egyptian community in Canada for their significant support, particularly towards the national “Decent Life” (Hayah Karima) initiative and the related “Together” (Maa’n) initiative. She emphasized that the diaspora’s contributions profoundly reflect their deep patriotism and commitment to participating in Egypt’s development journey.
Dr. Awad shared that the “Together” initiative was inspired by students from Canada’s Philopateer Christian College, who donated their allowances to support “Hayat Karima.” These students later visited villages included in the initiative during the previous summer, witnessing firsthand the transformative development taking place, including significant progress in Upper Egypt.
The Minister stressed the importance of maintaining strong bonds between Egyptians living abroad and their homeland, noting the palpable enthusiasm among the Canadian diaspora to stay informed about Egypt and connect with their roots.
Spotlight on Egypt’s Development Strategies
Detailing Egypt’s development focus, Dr. Awad explained that human development is a top priority for the Ministry. She highlighted two major projects: the Presidential “Decent Life” initiative and the Upper Egypt Development Project. The latter, active since 2018 in the governorates of Assiut, Minya, Sohag, and Qena, encompasses infrastructure upgrades (sanitation, water, bridges) and economic development programs.
Regarding the “Decent Life” initiative, Dr. Awad traced its evolution from a preliminary phase in 2016 targeting 143 villages to its official launch by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in 2019. Describing it as one of Egypt’s most ambitious initiatives, she noted the shift to developing entire rural centers despite the significant costs, crediting President Sisi’s determination for its successful implementation.
“The first phase covered 1,447 villages, involving over 27,000 projects spanning utilities, schools, health units, social solidarity offices, ambulance services, civil defense, markets, and electricity infrastructure,” Dr. Awad stated, emphasizing that the initiative aims to provide comprehensive services within villages. She also highlighted the critical role of “Decent Life” in empowering women and youth through targeted projects.
Looking ahead, Dr. Awad mentioned that preparations for the second phase, encompassing 1,667 villages, are underway, including land allocation for necessary facilities. She proudly noted that currently, every targeted village features a government service center and a post office to cater to citizens’ needs.
Mutual Recognition and Cultural Celebration
Minister Awad expressed gratitude to Philopateer Christian College and the Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association for their efforts in supporting Egypt and nurturing a sense of belonging among diaspora youth. She took the opportunity to personally honor several PCC students who actively contributed their time and efforts to the “Decent Life” initiative, expressing pride in the patriotic spirit demonstrated by second and third-generation Egyptians abroad.
The celebration was enriched by Pharaonic-themed artistic performances presented by members of the diaspora, beautifully reflecting the authentic Egyptian spirit, deep-rooted belonging, and love for the homeland
