PTPI Middle East/Africa Regional Conference

October 23, 2010

2010-10-25T00:45:00.002+02:00

The 2010 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference is now over. All the participants have departed the conference and most have reached their homes after many hours of flying. We hope that you have all enjoyed your time at the conference and will start Chapter partnership as well as share the PTPI experiences that you have been through with others in your Chapters or communities.

See you all again next year!

October 22, 2010

2010-10-24T15:17:00.019+02:00

Early morning we started our day with a beautiful Alexandria weather. We have visited Women and Child Protection which hosts 150 orphans from around Alexandria and 100 women who have been abused. The offer them free housing, education, developing, working skills needed and makes sure that they have a better and brighter future. We then headed to the Medical Research Institute which has various departments that do Research and Development in the fields of Cancer, Kidney transplant as well as provides education courses and trainings to doctors. It was definitely an inspiring morning.

The Qait Bay fort and Morsy Abou Al Abbass Mosque were the next stop. Lots of group and funny picture were taken. "The Citadel of Qaitbay (or the Fort of Qaitbay) is a 15th century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean sea coast, built upon/from the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Egypt. It was established in 1477 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa'it Bay.'' Wikipedia

The first Annual Meeting for the Middle East/Africa Region was held today. This meeting is where all the Chapter representatives and all the Trustees in the region meet to discuss regional issues and vote on decisions. The regional by-laws and the Regional Executive Committee has been elected. The newly appointed committee members are:

Hany Adly - Regional Chair
Megan Van Eck - Regional Vice-Chair
Irem Ebru Gursoy - Regional Secretary

The conclusion of the day as well as the conference was the session of Dr. Mohamed Kazem with his initiative: In Search of Understanding Initiative. "In Search of Understanding" is a Public Diplomacy initiative fostering and promoting the Culture of Peace, it is mainly based on underlining and stressing what is shared and common among us all as human beings hoping to contribute to the alleviation of existing mutual distorted stereotypes and images among the Peoples of the world. It also calls for tolerance, understanding, sympathy and above all empathy regarding existing or seemingly existing differences; it is hoped that with these ingredients combined we would ideally and gradually be heading towards mutual harmony and acceptance, hence paving the way for a better tomorrow for all.

After Dr. Kazem's session, we had the closing remarks of the third annual Middle East/Africa Regional Conference. Then certificates were distributed as well as an elegant farewell dinner was hosted.

Pictures are below:

Arriving at the Women and Child Protection Center

The kids welcoming everyone to the center

Welcome introduction at the center

Arriving at the Medical Research Institute

Touring the institute

Group picture infront of the Medical Research Institute

Hany Adly leading the first Annual Meeting

Votes during the Annual Meeting

The newly elected Regional Executive Committee

Dr. Mohamed Kazem's session; In Search of Understanding

October 21, 2010

2010-10-24T14:36:00.003+02:00

Thursday, October 21 was quite an active day starting with the Chapter Presentations hosted by Mary Jean Eisenhower. We have all listened to amazing presentations and yearly reports from all the Chapters that were present, below are the Chapters represented:

PTPI's Ankara, Turkey Student Chapter
PTPI's Beirut, Lebanon Chapter
PTPI's Cairo, Egypt (CairOdyssey) Chapter
PTPI's Durban, South Africa (Hillcrest High School) Student Chapter
PTPI's Tel Aviv, Israel Chapter

The next sessions was Bio-Energy and the Environment by Ahmed El Dorghamy which caught the attention of everyone. All the delegates wrote down all the things that they will do to personally make a change in their community to have a better and sustainable world.

Lunch was on the Mediterranean Sea.

We then stopped by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

"Bibliotheca Alexandrina or Library of Alexandria: is a major library and cultural center located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the Egyptian city of Alexandria. It is both a commemoration of the Library of Alexandria that was lost in antiquity, and an attempt to rekindle something of the brilliance that this earlier center of study and erudition represented." Wikipedia

Inside the library we have had a local tour of the entire library with all it's departments, museums and exhibitions. We visited the Antiquities Museum, the Impressions of Alexandria Exhibition, Sculptures without Boundaries Exhibition, Anwar El Sadat Museum and the Ancient Egyptian History Exhibition.

The day ended with an oriental Egyptian dinner.

Pictures from Day 2 - October 21, 2010

2010-10-22T23:49:00.007+02:00

Mary Jean Eisenhower hosting the Chapter Presentations

Irem Ebru presenting the work of PTPI's Ankara, Turkey Student Chapter

Joelle Zlaket from PTPI's Beirut, Lebanon Chapter

Lovely costumes, presentation and gifts from PTPI's Durban, South Africa (Hillcrest High School) Student Chapter

Rachel Erhard from PTPI's Tel Aviv, Israel Chapter

PTPI's Cairo, Egypt (CairOdyssey) Chapter member Amr Tarek presenting the latest Chapter activities

Mary Jean Eisenhower with PTPI's Durban, South Africa (Hillcrest High School) Student Chapter

During lunch!

Group picture at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Learning how the pharaohs used to do the papyrus

At Dinner on the Mediterranean Sea

And thats the same picture from the other side of the table

At the Haramlek Palace

First day!

2010-10-21T22:48:00.011+02:00

We have realized that we have a lot of followers on our blog, we received many messages from people who were concerned that our post from yesterday didn't go up on time. We apologize for the delay!

Wednesday, October 20 is the official first day since Tuesday was just the arrival. We started early with breakfast and then headed to the American Center in Alexandria were Mary Jean Eisenhower welcomed everyone to the conference and officially started the program. We then had an ice-breaker session by Barbara Capozzi, everyone shared their PTPI aha moment. It was a very special segment were everyone shared their experiences about their involvement with PTPI. Then we had the Climate Change Impact on the Region session by Lama El Hatow. We were all very inspired by her and we came out of the session with a personal action plan to make a difference and really do something about Global Warming.

This year's conference theme is: It's about the choices YOU make!

After El Hatow's session, we all really understood that each choice we make impacts everything around us and could either destroy or keep the Earth safe.

The day was rounded off by an inspiring discussion with Dr. Nadia El Awady. Her session: Reach New Heights; Personally and Professionally. Sharing some words from the session: It's amazing what you can achieve if you try, if you put your heart behind it there is nothing you can’t achieve. Another one: It's the journey not the destination that matters. Her session was very inspiring, giving new insights and perspectives to problem solving on personal and professional challenges. It was truly life changing! No one could understand how inspiring she is until you sit down and listen to her adventures and challenges; on her way to the summit of the tallest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro. How to control your will at looking and look at the bigger picture. What we will all take home is: Take baby steps to get where you want to be.

Everyone then enjoyed the Catacombs and the Pompeys Piller.

The day then ended with a huge celebration during the conference's opening dinner on the 15th floor of the hotel over looking the Mediterranean Sea. It was a formal dinner and we all enjoyed mingling and eating a PTPI logo off a huge cake.

Enjoy the below pictures from the first day!

Mary Jean Eisenhower giving a certificate of appreciation to the American Center in Alexandria for hosting the sessions of the conference

Our Delegation very concentrated during one of the sessions

Lama El Hatow during the Climate Change Impact on the Region session

World Water Scarcity Report

Arrival of the delegation

2010-10-20T01:19:00.005+02:00

Everyone was eagerly waiting for October 19, 2010 to come to Egypt for the conference, everyone has arrived safely to Alexandria, Egypt and now the day is over. Unfortunately we have couple of the delegates who couldn't make it and we send them all the best from the conference! Registration started early this morning and lasted until 6pm. Then we all went for dinner were we all had a chance to mingle and break bread. Tomorrow we have a full day with speakers coming in talking about Global Sustainability and we will definitely share with you all the details when we are done tomorrow. Below are pictures from today, Enjoy!

PTPI's Registration Desk

Delegates are hanging out while others were arriving and registering to the conference

Today's dinner was Mexican at Chili's

Tomorrow is the BIG day

2010-10-18T22:26:00.003+02:00

We are for sure very excited to be welcoming the delegates of the 2010 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference tomorrow. We already have two delegates who arrived early; one from Ghana and the other from Lebanon. We will keep you posted and we promise a lot of pictures!

Regards from Alexandria, Egypt!

Alexandria, Egypt - Here we come!

2010-10-11T10:47:00.001+02:00

People to People International is proud to host it's third annual Middle East/Africa Regional Conference in Alexandria, Egypt from October 19 - 23, 2010. Throughout the conference, we will post pictures, videos and share with everyone the experiences here on this blog.

2010 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference

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Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

2009 Regional Conference in Turkey - Video

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Post Conference Impressions

2009-07-07T15:30:00.002+03:00

Being part of the 2009 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference was a great and unforgettable event. There were deep friendships, amazing sessions, fun and life-long experiences. Every year by coming together we discover our potential as one united region. We shared knowledge and learned what's going on around the entire region.

Being part of the host chapter and having so many different nationalities come together in such a great conference and cause was an honor for me.

Burcu Ozturk
Izmir, Turkey

Post Conference Impressions

2009-07-07T15:24:00.002+03:00

Coming together as people from the Middle East/Africa region has been an inspiring experience! The conference has served to provide the delegates an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas about projects, as well as foster international friendships that will last a lifetime!

PTPI has the unique ability to inspire, motivate and engage people in meaningful dialogue which changes the perceptions of incorrect stereotypes that so often lead to misunderstandings between cultures. The mission of "peace through understanding" has been lived each day through special moments shared between the youth of Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Nigeria and South Africa. We will all leave this conference with love overflowing from our hearts; tomorrow the world CAN be a better place if you and I both care!

Megan Van Eck
Durban, South Africa

July 1 - Departures

2009-07-02T03:00:00.001+03:00

All delegates of the 2009 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference have departed to their home cities from Izmir, Turkey. More posts and videos to come in the coming few days giving you an overview what has happened during this yearly regional event.

June 30 - Working across Borders

2009-07-02T02:43:00.004+03:00

The last day of the 2009 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference was full of energy, ideas and passion for a better world. The delegates had the opportunity to implement what they have learned for the past days into implementing action plans to fit the Middle East/Africa region. Delegates have sat together and came up with problems and issues that needs to be addressed in several communities around the region. Then they have narrowed the list down to a theme of activities to be implemented across borders until we meet again in the 2010 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference. More details and to learn more about the action plan, please make sure to visit our People to People International Middle East/Africa Regional web site: http://www.ptpime.org/ All the information needed will be uploaded soon on the web site. All chapters across the region will be able to join this regional effort and many great activities to come. The four projects that were initiated by the delegates this year is just the stepping stone towards one region united to bring the world into a better place.

June 29 - Excursions

2009-06-30T12:19:00.003+03:00

After many interesting discussions about stakeholders and social entrepreneurship, we all headed for a full day excursions around Izmir and other places a little bit outside. We have visited: Artemis Temple, House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus Temple and Sirince Village. At the end of the day, the Cultural center has hosted a special Turkish night for PTPI delegates and official welcoming us to Turkey.

June 29 - Social Entrepreneurship as Conflict Resolution Strategy

2009-06-30T11:21:00.005+03:00

Today we have started with a Synergize session that was conducted by the sea side where all the delegates divided into groups to try to use resources around them to build things they were told to do. While having team leaders to direct them and then switching team heads into other groups...etc. It was fun and interesting to look at different leader's perspective and seeing the entire team engaging together. Afterwards, the delegates had the opportunity to learn and discuss many different points of view and distinctions of social entities, NGOs, social responsible businesses (Corporate Social Responsibility), foundations and business organizations through Stakeholders and Social Entrepreneurship Session.

June 28 - Negotiation as Conflict Resolution tool

2009-06-29T11:26:00.008+03:00

After breakfast the delegates had enjoyed several sessions that were powerful and deep. Starting with Society in a Room session, Introduction about Negotiation & Conflict Resolution , and ended with the Story Telling Session.

Through those activities they had the chance to learn about different societies and the importance of their role as individuals in each and every community. Then they got to learn about conflict resolution and types of conflicts as well as how to perceive those conflicts and try their best to resolve it. Afterwards, they had the chance to get to discuss different negotiation techniques that will help them on the personal and professional levels. Moreover, the session day ended with a personal story telling of each and everyone personal conflict that they have resolved or still working on resolving. This was definitely a deep discussion that brought everyone together and made huge bonds that will for sure last a life-time.

Then, we had an amazing italian dinner on the sea. (Happy Birthday to Megan from South Africa & Burcu from Turkey).

June 27 - Cocktail Reception & Opening Dinner

2009-06-28T12:02:00.009+03:00

The day ended with a nice cocktail reception hosted by the Mayor of Izmir. Then we had the official opening dinner in one of the popular restaurants in Izmir, Turkey. The restaurant was overlooking a very elegant and nice scenery. Everyone dressed up and celebrated the opening of the 2009 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference.

Cocktail Reception

Opening Dinner

June 27 - Ice Breaking Session & Chapter Presentations

2009-06-28T11:21:00.009+03:00

All the delegates had the chance to know about themselves first, then their peers through an ice-breaking session. Afterwards, the chapters represented at the conference had the time to share their activities with everyone via an interactive powerpoint presentation.

June 27 - Welcome Session!

2009-06-28T10:47:00.006+03:00

Saturday, June 27, 2009 was the official opening of the 2009 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference in Izmir, Turkey. We started the day with breakfast at the hotel then we had the official opening session that had opening remarks by PTPI's Chairman of Board of Trustees, Troy Nash; PTPI's Vice Chairman of Middle East/Africa of Board of Trustees, Hany Adly; and PTPI's Middle East/Africa Liaison, Ahmed Roushdy. By the end of the remarks, there was a presentation about the latest developments and achievements in the region by Ahmed Roushdy.

June 26 - Arrivals

2009-06-26T23:12:00.009+03:00

Hello all - thanks for following the 2009 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference that is taking place right now from June 26 - July 1, 2009 in Izmir, Turkey. Our delegates from Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey have arrived safely to our conference hotel in downtown Izmir. Delegates from Lebanon and Morocco are arriving early on Saturday. (We will keep you posted).

Today was basically arrivals. We had a nice Turkish dinner and all can't wait for the opening celebration of the conference tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Enjoy the first pictures to be uploaded from the conference below.

2009 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference

2009-06-19T21:32:00.001+03:00

Welcome!

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2009 Middle East/Africa Regional Conference

June 26 - July 1, 2009

Izmir, Turkey

Be a part of the Journey
that will start June 26!