● The EU-funded agreement aims to improve the delivery of child protection services, promote positive behavioral change and provide a supportive environment for girls and boys.

● Al-Mashat: Investment programs in human capital and skills development are the top priorities of our strategies with development partners

● Al-Mashat appreciates the close partnership with the European Union and its response to development priorities in various fields

● Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the European Union Delegation: The European Union’s support for the National Child Empowerment Initiative reflects our commitment to addressing important issues and improving child-friendly services.

● Engineer Nevin Othman, President of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood: The initiative seeks to support the child’s right to participate through education, awareness, and raising the awareness of the system’s parties.

The Minister of International Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, witnesses the signing of the “National Initiative to Empower Children” agreement between the European Union and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood which was signed by Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the European Union delegation to Egypt, and Engineer Nevin Othman, President of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood. 

The initiative, funded within the framework of bilateral cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union, aims to improve the provision of child protection services, promote positive behavioral change, and provide a supportive environment for girls and boys to develop their skills and obtain services. This is by developing the capabilities of relevant parties concerning providing child-friendly services and enhancing positive parenting techniques. The initiative will also support 300 children, 70 parents, and 70 teachers and specialists from 4 governorates, and promote the development of a unified training curriculum to be used in training all workers involved in child protection services.

For her part, Al-Mashat stressed the depth of the relationship between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union and its importance in enhancing development efforts in Egypt in various priority areas, especially enhancing investment in human capital, which is a top priority for the state, explaining that the Ministry International Cooperation, in coordination with relevant parties, works to expand investment programs in human capital, empowering youth, girls, women, and protecting children in a way that benefits citizens and development efforts in general.

H.E. said she appreciated the ongoing efforts with the European Union through the bilateral cooperation program for the period 2021-2027, through which work is being done to expand the scope of cooperation in all fields such as clean energy and green hydrogen, and investment programs in human capital such as education, health and food security, and other fields.

H.E. pointed out that the Ministry is working, in accordance with the directives of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to develop frameworks for international cooperation in development projects, and to review them periodically to ensure that they respond to national needs and priorities.

For his part, Ambassador Berger said that the European Union and the National Council for Childhood have a long history of joint work, for more than a decade of cooperation on issues such as protecting children from violence in schools, preserving the rights of children with disabilities and female rights, especially education. Ambassador Berger continued, “The European Union’s support for the National Child Empowerment Initiative reflects another commitment through which important issues are addressed such as improving the provision of child-friendly services and promoting positive behavioral change through positive parenting techniques.”

For her part, Engineer Nevin Othman, Secretary-General of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, thanked and appreciated Al-Mashat for her efforts in strengthening distinguished international partnerships to support aspects of development, pointing out that the signing of this protocol comes within the framework of promoting and protecting children’s rights through the implementation of the National Initiative to Empower Child Supported by the European Union, which aims to provide a safe environment for children.

Othman added that this initiative seeks to support the child’s right to participate, through the implementation of innovative programs and initiatives, pointing out that the implementation of this initiative will be based on its strategy on the components of the “National Initiative to Empower Girls Dowie,” which is being implemented under the patronage of H.E. Mrs. Intisar Al-Sisi, the first lady of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the initiative will work to enhance the protection of children’s rights through education, awareness, and community participation, with a focus on raising the awareness of social workers and activity teachers, as well as supporting child protection services provided to children at risk through the preparation of a unified and approved training manual for all workers involved in providing these services as well as creating a positive, supportive environment for girls and boys to develop their skills, obtain services, and create an understanding and prosperous society.

Othman said that the partnership with the European Union will provide the opportunity to expand the scope of the initiative’s implementation, as well as to include its impact and reach the largest number of targets. She praised the partnership with the European Union over many decades, which has borne fruit through the implementation of many programs and activities. She thanked the European Union for supporting the activities of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood in order to enforce children’s rights and achieve their best interests.

It is worth noting that the current cooperation portfolio with the European Union amounts to approximately €1.3 billion to finance many development projects in various sectors, including health, environment, wastewater treatment, clean and renewable energy, and gender equality.