The Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services organized a reception for the organization’s international partners from the United States of America and Europe, yesterday, Monday, in the presence of His Excellency Ambassador Christian Berger, and Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt; Chargé d’Affairs, Daniel Rubinstein, Ambassador of the United States of America; and His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Axel Webennhurt, Ambassador of Australia; and H.E. Ambassador François Corne Dalísius, Ambassador of Belgium; and H.E. Han Moritz Schapfeld, Ambassador of the Netherlands; H.E. Häkan Amsgaard, Ambassador of Sweden; H.E. Pekka Kosnan, Ambassador of Finland. Also participating in the celebration was Mr. Ayman Abdel Mawgod, Assistant Minister of Solidarity, on behalf of Her Excellency the Minister of Solidarity, Dr. Nevin Al-Qabbaj; and His Excellency Major General Ismail El-Far, on behalf of His Excellency the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi; and Dr. Mohamed Abu Zaid Al-Amir, Vice President of Al-Azhar University and the General Coordinator of the Egyptian Family House; His Grace Bishop Jeremiah, General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center; Major General Ibrahim Abdel Hadi, Deputy Governor of Cairo for the Western Region; Major General Engineer Ibrahim Saber, Deputy Governor of Cairo for the Eastern Region; and Ms. Dr. Nihal Balbaa, Deputy Governor of AlBeheira; Ambassador Khaled Al-Baqali, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights; Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, Vice President of the National Council for Human Rights; Ambassador Fahmy Amin, Secretary General of the National Council for Human Rights; and a number of members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the executive and popular leaders.
The head of the Coptic Evangelical Organization gave the opening speech in the celebration, saying: “Egypt is changing for the better, and we struggle together to face global challenges. Just as the Evangelical Organization is concerned with the people and human dignity, we stand on one ground with those we serve.”
The President of CEOSS added: “We feel so proud to be part of the presidential initiatives implemented by the Egyptian state, as they play an important role in societal peace. The initiatives came as an important step to support the neediest people, such as the Hayat Kaareema Initiative, which is a project that coheres with millions of Egyptians on their reality. We are also proud to be part of the National Alliance for Development.”
Zaki concluded his speech by saying: “We are part of this society, and we feel happy to be playing this role. We tell the truth as it is. There is no peace for us except with the peace of Egypt; there is no life for us except in Egypt, and there is no future for us except in Egypt.”
Dr. Ayman Abdel Mawgoed, Assistant Minister of Solidarity for Civil Society Institutions Affairs, who attended on behalf of the Minister, Dr. Nevin Al-Kabbaj, Minister of Solidarity, stressed that “today’s meeting proves the importance of the effective and influential role of the Coptic Evangelical Organization within the Egyptian society, in addition to the importance of its participation in all projects and initiatives in cooperation with the Ministry of Solidarity to serve the Egyptian community in the countryside and in the cities, and to respect human needs and rights.
For his part, Dr. Peter Makari, the person responsible for Europe and the Middle East at Global Ministries, praised the commitment of the Coptic Evangelical Organization to the social services, and to working as an authentic Egyptian organization for the Egyptian community and the Egyptians, with a sincere patriotic motive, rooted in the Egyptian society in a transparent manner, which contributes to achieving the required needs and priorities.
Mumtaz Bishai, Vice President of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, also welcomed all the attendees, and said: “The CEOCON meeting, which is organized by CEOSS every three years with the partners, aims to crystallize the strategic directions between CEOSS and its main partners, believing in the importance of intellectual convergence and partnership that translates into field work. It also promotes benefiting from the large and fruitful experiences of all parties in the various aspects and fields of work.
