The Coptic Evangelical Organization holds the “Awareness and Pillars of Sustainable Development” Conference under the patronage and in the presence of the President of the Evangelical Community and the Minister of Endowments
The Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services – Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, under the patronage of Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt and President of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, is organizing a major conference entitled “Awareness and the Pillars of Achieving Sustainable Development” on Monday and Tuesday, September 8–9, 2025.
The main session of the conference will feature the participation of Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki, along with Prof. Dr. Osama El-Azhari, Minister of Endowments and President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and Dr. Abdel Hadi Al-Qasabi, Chair of the Social Solidarity Committee in the House of Representatives. The session will be moderated by media presenter Samir Omar, Head of the News Sector at United Media Services. The session will discuss the topic “Awareness as a Pillar of Sustainable Development: The Role of Individuals and Institutions,” with the participation of a distinguished group of religious, intellectual, parliamentary, and media leaders.
Over its two days, the conference will address a number of important intellectual and research issues, including “Cultural Challenges to Sustainable Development” and “The Role of Media in Promoting Social Awareness.” Specialized dialogue sessions will also be held with the participation of prominent thinkers, experts, and academics, within the framework of exploring ways to establish awareness as a key foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and highlighting the contribution of religious and intellectual institutions to supporting the development process.
Samira Louka, Head of the Dialogue Sector at the Coptic Evangelical Organization, emphasized that the conference reflects the Forum for Intercultural Dialogue’s commitment to consolidating awareness as a central factor in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development. She noted that the forum seeks to provide a platform for dialogue that brings together decision-makers, thought leaders, media professionals, academics, youth, and representatives of religious and civil institutions, with the aim of formulating shared visions that reinforce the values of citizenship and promote community participation in building a better future.
The Coptic Evangelical Organization concluded the conference with the presence of Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki, Dr. Osama El-Azhari, and a number of religious, intellectual, political, and media leaders. In his speech, Zaki affirmed that awareness is the cornerstone of any successful development project, stressing that religious institutions are essential partners in building the human being and embedding the values of citizenship and coexistence. He pointed out that the Arab region is facing a battle over the mind between the requirements of upbringing and the pressures of modernity and technological advancement, which requires a balanced discourse based on dialogue and openness.
Dr. Osama El-Azhari stated that when mastery is coupled with love, it generates excellence, which is the peak of civilizational building. He affirmed that religion, at its core, is a message of awareness and human development, calling for the consolidation of creativity and renewal as higher objectives of Sharia.
Dr. Abdel Hadi Al-Qasabi, Chair of the Social Solidarity Committee in Parliament and Sheikh of Sufi Orders, stressed that sustainable development is a collective responsibility that requires the cooperation of both state and society. He explained that awareness is the shield that protects peoples from discord and one of the tools to confront fourth-generation wars.
The session was moderated by media presenter Samir Omar, who highlighted the pivotal role of media as a key partner for religious and political institutions in building awareness and supporting development efforts.
The conference included three discussion sessions. The first session addressed cultural challenges to sustainable development. Abdel Moneim Said stressed that conscious culture represents the first line of defense in facing challenges, while Howaida Barakat emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability concepts into educational and social discourse. Osama El-Nahhas highlighted the role of cultural and media institutions in strengthening development values.
The second session focused on the role of modern technology in shaping new awareness suited to contemporary requirements, with Hesham Azmy shedding light on its impact, while Hossam Saleh stressed that innovation and creativity are the gateways to building youth awareness capable of facing change, noting that artificial intelligence presents a promising opportunity if properly invested in.
In the third session, young participants from the Ministry of Endowments, the Church, and civil society organizations presented practical models of initiatives that combined values of awareness and development. Commentators Samia Kadri and Tarek Abu Heshema praised the role of youth in shaping the future of development with creative ideas and initiatives.
At the conclusion of the conference, Samira Louka expressed her appreciation for the participation of all parties, affirming that the conference served as a unifying platform for dialogue among religious, intellectual, and youth leaders, aiming to build societal awareness that supports the path of sustainable development in Egypt.
