CAIRO: In an attempt to promote human and social development in Upper Egypt, the activities of the European Union funded programme “Children and Youth have Access to Culture in Upper Egypt” were shown in Cairo. As implementing partner of the programme, the Association of Upper Egypt for Education and Development (AUEED) has organised the activities which aim to provide better access to arts and culture for children and youth.
Ambassador James Moran, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, stressed that the EU is very keen to promote local cultural resources in Upper Egypt. This programme aims to help in enhancing knowledge and skills through music, dance, theatre, and festivals. It will further contribute to develop a sustainable economy as well as offer opportunities to youth.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Youth, and the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the AUEED plans to reach around one thousand children and 480 youth as well as to train 65 ‘cultural leaders’ including teachers and artists from five governorates in Upper Egypt: Menia, Assiut, Sohag, Qena and Luxor.
The European Union’s contribution to this two-year programme is €263,500.00. In its first phase, the project will focus on training ‘cultural leaders’ in local communities as well as on working on the Ministry of Culture’s plan to induce cultural programmes (choir, drama, poetry, and drawing) in the schools’ curricula. .
In its second phase, the project will promote culture and artistic activities in schools through festivals, art performances, and activities in cultural centres. The project will also offer small grants to artistic groups participating in cultural competitions in Upper Egypt. The project further seeks to enable cultural organisations to manage and lead cultural and artistic programs within their communities.
The preceding is a press release and is the responsibility of the European Union and does not reflect the editorial policy of The Cairo Post.