The Institute of National Planning signed a memorandum of understanding with the Plan International Egypt organization concerned with community development, regarding cooperation and exchange of experiences in related fields of work, in the presence of Dr. Ashraf Salah El-Din, Vice President of the Institute for Training, Consultation and Community Service, and Ms. Radwa Tariq Owais, delegated Country Director of Plan International Egypt.
In this context, Dr. Ashraf Salah El-Din, Vice President of the Institute for Training, Consultation and Community Service, explained that the signing of this memorandum comes within the framework of the Institute of National Planning’s keenness to enhance areas of cooperation and partnership with various governmental and non-governmental bodies and institutions, explaining that the Institute and Plan International Egypt have scientific expertise Distinguished professional and administrative qualifications that qualify them to enter into effective and fruitful partnerships that contribute to strengthening the role of the two institutions in the scientific, research and training fields.
The Vice-President of the Institute added that the signed Memorandum of Understanding set a clear framework for joint areas of work that are expected to be accomplished on more than one axis with regard to exchanging experiences between the two sides in the areas of supporting the social and economic empowerment of women and youth, reaching out to the most marginalized groups and communities, and addressing issues that affect their level and lifestyles. This is done by implementing a set of joint activities and programs that address the root causes of the targeted issues, with a focus on ensuring the sustainability of the efforts made in this regard.
In a related context, Ms. Radwa Tariq Owais indicated that the Institute of National Planning plays an influential and vital role in serving planning and development issues at the national, regional and international levels, noting that the memorandum of understanding stipulates the promotion of aspects of joint cooperation between the two sides in the fields of health, the environment and support for children and women, as well as On programs to activate the role of civil society organizations, youth empowerment and their effective participation in solving community issues, education and literacy programs, and economic empowerment of women and youth.
Owais added that the areas of cooperation also include supporting small projects, holding conferences to discuss youth issues, in addition to the institute’s participation in the technical committee concerned with reviewing the methodologies and evidence that are used in implementing training programs and launching community initiatives to build and enhance youth capabilities and empower them socially and economically.
It should be noted that Plan International is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, established internationally in 1937, and works in the field of community development by focusing on the child, and began its work in Egypt in 1980, and Plan International Egypt works in several sectors, including economic empowerment, and protection from violence, education, sexual and reproductive health, and the girls’ leadership sector.