🇪🇬 National Identity Conference Opens in Alexandria
Youth and Sports Minister Johar Nabil attended the opening of the “National Identity: Deep-Rooted Foundations and a Renewed Vision” conference at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, held from September 21 to 23, 2026, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The conference is being organized in cooperation with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Youth and Sports, and Culture, as well as Alexandria Governorate.
The event brings together officials, experts, academics and young people to discuss Egyptian national identity, ways of preserving its foundations, and the cultural, social and technological changes affecting younger generations.
💬 Nabil Joins “Identity Between Past, Present and Future” Session
Johar Nabil participated in the first discussion session, titled “Identity Between the Past, Present and Future,” which examined the concept of Egyptian national identity, its historical components and the challenges involved in maintaining and strengthening it among younger generations.
The session brought together officials, academics, researchers and youth representatives, with Dr. Mahmoud Ezzat, director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s Center for Strategic Studies, chairing the discussion.
🧑🎓 The Role of Youth in Preserving Egyptian Identity
The Youth and Sports Minister said Egyptian identity should not be viewed solely as a historical legacy, but as an integrated system of values, culture, awareness and belonging.
He highlighted young people as a central element in preserving the identity and developing new ways of expressing it, while building a generation capable of dealing with rapid global changes.
The conference also addressed the growing role of the digital environment in shaping identity and the responsibility of educational and cultural institutions to develop awareness and involve young people in shaping future visions.
🗣️ Youth Dialogue Through Youth Centers
Nabil explained that the Ministry of Youth and Sports is expanding youth dialogue initiatives inside youth centers and affiliated institutions, creating spaces where young people can express their views and discuss social and national issues.
He stressed that continuous dialogue can contribute to building awareness and encouraging participation, rather than limiting youth engagement to conferences and special occasions.
🌍 Staying Open to the World While Preserving Identity
Responding to questions about the impact of different cultures on Egyptian identity, Nabil said addressing outside influences should not depend on isolation.
Instead, he emphasized building a generation that understands its history and culture while remaining open to the world and able to benefit from different experiences.
According to the minister, knowledge, awareness and self-confidence are key tools for enabling young people to engage with different cultures without abandoning their own identity.
🏟️ Youth Centers Beyond Sports Activities
The minister also discussed the broader role of youth centers, saying they are no longer limited to sporting activities and can also serve as platforms for cultural, artistic and community events.
He highlighted their potential role in helping young people learn about Egypt’s history and discuss social issues, while combining sports and cultural activities to develop skills and encourage participation.
💼 Economic Empowerment and the Labor Market
Youth participants also raised questions about the ministry’s role in economic empowerment and connecting young people with the labor market.
Nabil said the ministry is working to expand programs that provide young people with training and skills aligned with labor-market needs, while also giving them greater access to information about investment opportunities and entrepreneurship.
He stressed that youth empowerment extends beyond sports and requires cooperation between state institutions, the private sector and organizations involved in training and employment.
🥇 Egypt Wins 58 Medals at the Mediterranean Games
Nabil also discussed Egypt’s performance at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, where the Egyptian delegation won 58 medals, including 23 gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze medals.
He linked the results to the capabilities of Egyptian athletes and emphasized continued efforts to identify and support talented athletes and national teams ahead of future international competitions.
⭐ Sports as a Soft-Power Tool
The minister also described sports as one of Egypt’s soft-power tools, both through athletes’ international achievements and the country’s ability to host major sporting events.
He said the next phase will focus on expanding grassroots participation, supporting elite athletes and national teams, and strengthening talent identification and development programs.
🏃♂️ Expanding Access to Sports Nationwide
Nabil stressed the importance of providing real opportunities for young people and children to participate in sports across Egypt through youth centers and sports facilities affiliated with the ministry.
He said the goal is to make sports programs and services available across Egypt’s 27 governorates, emphasizing wider access for different groups and communities.
🤝 Youth as Partners in Dialogue and the Future
Nabil concluded by emphasizing that listening to young people is an essential part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ work.
He stressed the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with young people and taking their views and proposals into consideration.
The “National Identity: Deep-Rooted Foundations and a Renewed Vision” conference comes as part of broader discussions about the foundations of Egyptian identity, the challenges surrounding it, and the role of institutions and young people in building awareness capable of addressing present-day changes and future challenges.
