Dr. Mohamed Saafan, Minister of Manpower, received Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, head of the Evangelical community in Egypt, and head of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, today, Monday, at the ministry’s general office, to sign a joint cooperation protocol to spread the culture of self-employment, entrepreneurship, occupational safety and health, the reduction of the risks that threaten the safety of individuals, and working to provide a safe living environment, in addition to training 4,000 male and female trainees during the first phase in support of youth and women, especially the most needy groups, in order to achieve the directives of the political leadership, in promoting Egypt’s Vision 2030.
During his speech, Dr. Mohamed Saafan, Minister of Manpower, welcomed Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, head of the Evangelical community in Egypt, head of the Evangelical Organization, and his accompanying delegation. The minister stressed that “the relationship between Muslims and Christians is based on cordiality, in the face of any predators trying to undermine the peace of the state and its unity,” emphasizing that “the Egyptian government supports any cooperation that nourishes the spirit of citizenship,” noting that “the protocol is a good addition to the Egyptian society, and it confirms the Egyptians’ relationship that is characterized by tolerance and love throughout the ages.”
For his part, the head of the Evangelical Church thanked His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and the Egyptian government, which presents a new and unique model in supporting civil society. The head of CEOSS also thanked Dr. Mohamed Saafan, praising the development of the work and building of human capital, and the discussions that are held about the new work law project, stressing that “this protocol is a real cooperation between the government and civil society, with the beginning of the year 2022, the year of civil society.”
During his speech, the head of the CEOSS added: “I hope that, by activating the cooperation protocol between us, we will achieve all the desired goals, and reach together tangible results, that maximize the impact of our development work, especially for the neediest groups that should receive care.”
Participating in the signing on behalf of the ministry were Manal Abdel Aziz, head of the Central Administration for the Affairs of the Minister’s Office; Izzat Omran, head of the Central Administration for Employment; Eng. Ayman Katamish, head of the Central Administration for Vocational Training; Suhair Al Laithi, head of the Central Administration for Occupational Safety and Health; and Ashraf Marzouk, associate of the minister for Occupational Safety and Health, and on the part of the Evangelical Organization: Margaret Saroufim, head of the Local Development Sector; Issam Wassef, director of Public Relations, Rafeeq Naji, director of Developmental Sites; Suzan Sedky, director of Developmental Sites; Suhair Aziz, acting director of the Specialized Development Services; Magda Ramzy, acting director of Rural Development; Youssef Edward, director of the media at the Coptic Evangelical Organization; Nabil Ezzat, deputy director of Specialized Development Services; and Wael Morris, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Advisory Services.
It is noteworthy that the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, which was established in the 1960s, is an Egyptian NGO of general character, it’s non-profit and registered under the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Since its establishment, it has been implementing comprehensive development programs in the fields of public health, children’s health, education, agriculture, and housing improvement for the poor, improving the environment, combating blindness, working in the field of persons with disabilities, family planning issues and reproductive health, as well as the field of economic development in all its dimensions.
