Egyptian-German Dialogue: The Coptic Evangelical Organization Holds a High-Level Conference on Peace and Sustainable Development
Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki:
“Contemporary challenges require partnerships based on dialogue and mutual respect.”
The 17th session of the Egyptian-German Dialogue Conference was launched in Cairo, organized by the Forum for Intercultural Dialogue of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, in cooperation with the Evangelische Akademie Loccum in Germany, under the title:
“Peace, Stability, and Sustainable Development in an Era of Social and Environmental Transformation.”
The conference witnessed high-level participation from intellectual, religious, and academic leaders from Egypt and Germany.
The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt and President of the Coptic Evangelical Organization. In his opening speech, he emphasized that “the Egyptian-German Dialogue, which has lasted for more than 20 years, is a human and cultural bridge connecting peoples and institutions.” He stressed that “true peace is tied to social justice and human dignity, while sustainable development represents the most comprehensive vision for building the future.”
Over the course of three days, participants discussed the most pressing environmental, social, and political challenges facing the world, affirming the importance of dialogue in fostering understanding and cooperation between cultures. The program included dialogue sessions and field visits in Cairo and Alexandria, where the German delegation observed the Organization’s experiences in local development, peacebuilding, and promoting citizenship.
At the closing of the conference, Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki expressed his satisfaction with the event, saying:
“This dialogue reflected mutual respect, transparency, and depth of discussion,” adding that “this meeting is a sincere new voice from an outstanding Egyptian-German group striving to build a more just and equitable human reality.”
He also valued the ongoing partnership with the Loccum Academy, stressing the importance of continuing such bilateral dialogues.
Dr. Julia Koll, Director of the Evangelische Akademie Loccum, affirmed that the partnership with the Evangelical Organization represents a model of constructive cooperation between East and West. She praised the efforts of the working team and the inspiring experiences the German delegation witnessed in coexistence and community empowerment.
The final program included two specialized sessions that addressed regional stability and the importance of intercultural dialogue, with participation from experts from Egypt and Germany. In addition, a field session was held in Alexandria titled:
“The Responsibility of Religious and Educational Institutions and Civil Society in Achieving Coexistence: Opportunities and Challenges,”
which featured distinguished contributions from intellectual, religious, and executive figures.
Media Coverage:
