“My Dear Daughter” Project
The National Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights implemented the “My Dear Daughter” project in Cairo Governorate in partnership with Coptic Orphans, with the aim of empowering girls socially and educationally and nurturing a generation that embraces the values of peace, citizenship, peaceful coexistence, acceptance of others, and respect for religious and cultural diversity.
The project adopted a mentoring approach, establishing a supportive relationship over 24 months between a university student and a younger girl. Particular care was taken to ensure that mentoring groups included girls from different religious backgrounds, thereby promoting positive interaction, challenging stereotypes, building trust and mutual respect, and instilling the values of citizenship and peaceful coexistence from an early age.
Before beginning the mentoring journey, university students completed a comprehensive training program focused on psychological, social, and educational skills, effective communication, guidance and mentoring, psychosocial support, and child protection. This preparation equipped them to provide the necessary support to the girls and help them build self-confidence, overcome social and family-related challenges, reduce the impact of stereotypes and discrimination, and strengthen their positive participation within their families and communities.
Throughout the mentoring journey, the project also provided continuous follow-up to address the girls’ needs and organized activities focused on character development, life skills, encouraging dialogue within families, and promoting positive behaviors. These efforts contributed to improving family relationships, fostering a sense of responsibility, strengthening self-confidence, and promoting a culture of respect and cooperation.
To put the values of peaceful coexistence into practice, the project organized cultural and educational trips that included visits to historic mosques and ancient churches. These visits aimed to familiarize the girls with Egypt’s civilizational and religious heritage, encourage respect for diversity and acceptance of others, and reinforce the values of citizenship and national unity. The project thus contributed to nurturing a generation of children and young people capable of living together peacefully, respecting differences, and participating in building a more cohesive and stable society.
Ramadan Iftar Gatherings to Promote a Culture of Peace
As part of its Community Peace Program, The National Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights organized Ramadan Iftar gatherings to promote a culture of peace during the holy month of Ramadan in 2023, with the participation of 100 participants, including young people, as part of the Foundation’s vision to promote peaceful coexistence and reinforce the values of citizenship and acceptance of others.
The initiative was founded on the belief that religious occasions provide a valuable opportunity to foster dialogue and strengthen ties among different segments of society. The Iftar gatherings created a shared space for communication, interaction, and the exchange of perspectives among Muslim and Christian religious leaders and young people. This helped strengthen mutual trust, promote respect and tolerance, reduce stereotypes, and reinforce a culture of peaceful coexistence.
The initiative also aimed to encourage young people to embrace the values of peace and community participation, while presenting a practical example of national unity through the participation of Muslims and Christians in a Ramadan gathering that embodied solidarity and mutual respect. These efforts contributed to building a more cohesive society capable of embracing religious and cultural diversity.
The initiative was implemented in cooperation with several partners and supported through the Foundation’s own resources, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote community peace, foster acceptance of others, and build bridges of trust and cooperation among all members of society.
Ramadan Food Distribution Campaign and Community Iftar
As part of its Community Peace Program, The National Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights implemented a “Ramadan Iftar for Those in Need” campaign during the holy month of Ramadan in 2022. The campaign aimed to support the most vulnerable groups, reinforce the values of community solidarity, and promote a culture of peace and peaceful coexistence among different segments of society.
The campaign included the distribution of 500 hot Iftar meals to passersby, homeless individuals, and the most disadvantaged families in Cairo and Qalyubia Governorates. This initiative helped provide food assistance to the target groups while promoting solidarity and social responsibility during the holy month of Ramadan.
Recognizing that religious occasions provide an opportunity to strengthen social cohesion, the Foundation also organized a community Iftar gathering attended by 100 participants, including Muslim and Christian religious leaders, young people, and government officials. The gathering aimed to encourage dialogue and interaction among different segments of society and reinforce the values of citizenship, mutual respect, and acceptance of others.
The gathering provided an opportunity to emphasize that Ramadan is a national and humanitarian occasion that brings Egyptians together regardless of their religious affiliations. It also helped build bridges of trust and understanding, reject extremism and hate speech, and promote peaceful coexistence and national unity. These efforts contributed to strengthening community peace and encouraging young people to embrace tolerance, cooperation, and collective action.
The campaign was implemented in cooperation with Tahya Misr Fund and Arabiata Restaurant, with additional support from the Foundation’s own resources, as part of its mission to build a peaceful society founded on respect for diversity, acceptance of others, and peaceful coexistence among all its members.
