From Ancient Novels to the Digital Revolution

Invited to address scholars, researchers and students at the opening ceremony of the fourth International Conference on the Ancient Novel (ICAN IV), Serageldin mesmerized the audience with a 30 minute presentation on the digital revolution, its impact on reading and its role in the New Library. The conference has organized a six day series of sessions, revolving around this year’s theme, Crossroads in the Ancient Novel: Spaces, Frontiers, Intersections.

Restructurer le Monde: L’Occident et les Musulmans

- Lisbon

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Restructurer le Monde: L’Occident et les Musulmans” in Lisbon.

Serageldin Thanks Wikimania for “Changing the Shape of Wisdom”

At the closing session of the Wikimania conference, the members of the Wikimania Foundation expressed their profound gratitude to Dr. Ismail Serageldin for the valuable part played by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in hosting this annual international event, held this year on the African continent.

Closing Ceremony of Wikimania 2008 in Alexandria

New Paradigms For New Tomorrows

New Paradigms for New Tomorrows

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “New Paradigms for New Tomorrows” at the Library of Alexandria.

Welcome to Wikimania 2008

Serageldin is hosting the Fourth Annual Wikimania Conference at the BA, which is held this year under the theme Change the Shape of Wisdom. At the inauguration of the conference, Serageldin addressed the participants with an inspiring presentation entitled New Paradigms for New Tomorrows.

An Ardent Call for Multi-religious Cooperation for Peace

Serageldin hosted the inaugural meeting of the Middle East Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace at the BA. Invited to be a pioneer member of the council, based on the important role he plays within the Islamic community, Serageldin gave an ardent presentation entitled Wealth, Poverty and Security . He posed the question “Are we doing enough to bring about peace?”

Religions for Peace: Wealth, Poverty and Security

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Religions for Peace: Wealth, Poverty and Security” at the Library of Alexandria.

President Sarkozy Invites Serageldin to Paris Summit and Bastille Day Celebrations

At the invitation of President Nicolas Sarkozy, Serageldin participated in the first Paris Summit for the Mediterranean which was co-presided by President Hosni Mubarak and the French President. The heads of state and government of 27 EU countries and 16 of the southern Mediterranean countries convened at the Grand Palais, to launch a new Union of the Mediterranean and to adopt a declaration on the enhancement of cooperation between EU member states and countries of the Mediterranean region.

The Values and the Boundaries of Man . . . In Respect of Nature

In the inaugural session of the Tällberg forum, Serageldin gave a presentation on the notions of values and of boundaries… The presentation was received with a standing ovation by the 1000 plus guests present in the big tent. For the many who asked to have access to the slides, they can be found attached.

Values and Boundaries

- Tällberg, Sweden

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Values and Boundaries” in Tällberg, Sweden.

Reflections on Nature and Being

- Tallberg, Sweden

How dare I speak, when I should let the magic of Beethoven call to the better angels of our nature? I speak because in the rapture of the moment, in the bliss of the immortal harmonies of the “pastorale” we must be reminded that the nature that inspired Beethoven, the nature that his music celebrates, the nature that we enjoy, the nature that we take for granted…

Reflections on Nature Amidst the Lakes, Forests and Mountains of Tällberg

Ismail Serageldin gave a moving and eloquent intonation in the concert organized at the old church in Siljansnäs. His words preceded the playing of Beethoven’s Pastorale. The message of beauty and truth was particularly apposite in the circumstances of the forum that would open the next day. Among the eminent audience was His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden.

Reaching for New Horizons at Petra

Once again, Serageldin participated in the Annual Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates, convened by The King Abdullah II Fund for Development and The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity. The conference brought together a great number of eminent world figures as well as participating youth from the region. This year’s theme was: Reaching for New Economic, Scientific and Educational Horizons.

“The Future of Computing”: A Lecture by Serageldin at the BA

Dr. Ismail Serageldin is giving a lecture entitled The Future of Computing at 13:30 hours, at the BA Conference Center – Small Theatre.

The Future of Computing

The Future of Computing

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “The Future of Computing” at the Library of Alexandria.

“Expanding the Role of Women in Cross-Cultural Dialogue” in Baku

Serageldin participated in the forum entitled Expanding the Role of Women in Cross-Cultural Dialogue. The Forum was organized under the initiative of Mrs. Mehriban Aliyev, First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and co-sponsored by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( ISESCO).

Inauguration Ceremony of Chirac Foundation

Serageldin participated in the launching ceremony of the Jacques Chirac Foundation for cultural diversity and sustainable development. Serageldin is a member of the Honorary Committee of the Foundation. Among other international dignitaries on the committee are Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan; three Nobel Peace Prize winners: Rajendra Pachauri, Rigoberta Menchu and Muhammad Yunus; and six former presidents including Abou Diouf of Senegal, and Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil.

Mo Ibrahim Award Ceremony to Be Held at the BA for Second Time

At the annual board meeting of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, attended by Serageldin, it was agreed that this year’s award ceremony for the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership would again be held at the BA. Last year’s inaugural prize was also awarded at the BA to President Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is the vision of Mohamed Ibrahim, and was established to support the attainment of good governance in Africa.

Serageldin Welcomes HRH Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium to the BA

Serageldin welcomed HRH Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium and his delegation to the BA. Taking them on a grand tour of the Library of Alexandria, he introduced to them its many different facets. The Crown Prince was on a four day visit to Egypt at the head of a high-level investors delegation.

Reflections on Social Justice and Development

- Cairo

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Reflections on Social Justice and Development” in Cairo.

Annual Meeting of Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement

Serageldin attended the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of The Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement. The Movement is a non-governmental international association established in 2003, committed to the realization of the vision of peace. Chaired by H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, the meeting discussed the End Human Trafficking Campaign; Women as Architects of Peace; the International Youth Forum, Sharm El Sheikh; the Institute for Peace Studies; Building Alliances for Promoting Peace.

The Role of the BA, Ancient and Modern, Demonstrated in Milan

Serageldin gave a plenary lecture at the MathKnow08: Mathematics, Applied Sciences and Real Life Congress, organized by Politecnico of Milan together with Polythechnique de Lausanne, in Milan, Italy. The lecture, entitled Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The Rebirth of the Library of Alexandria, demonstrated the role of the BA from ancient times to modern times.

Discourse by Serageldin at Royal Irish Academy

Invited by the Royal Irish Academy, to deliver a lecture on the Library of Alexandria under the theme of electronic research projects in the humanities, Serageldin gave a discourse entitled Born Digital: The New Library of Alexandria. The audience of the Academy Meeting was composed of Academy members in Sciences and the Humanities and other guests.

Future Scenarios Explored at the World Economic Forum

At the meeting of The World Economic Forum on the Middle East, in a session entitled Scenarios Series: The Power of Collaboration, Serageldin used scenarios to explore the future of the Middle East Region.

3Fs + 2Cs: Food, Feed & Fuel + Climate Change

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “3Fs + 2Cs: Food, Feed & Fuel + Climate Change” at the Library of Alexandria.

Statement on behalf of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Opening Address of the International Workshop on Evaluating Climate Change and Development

The Order of the Rising Sun Awarded to Serageldin by the Emperor of Japan

At a presentation ceremony held at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Serageldin was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. The award was bestowed to Serageldin in recognition of his outstanding contribution in promoting and enriching mutual understanding between Egypt and Japan, and of the valuable role he played as Head of the Egyptian Side of The Japan-Arab Dialogue Forum. The order was conferred by the Prime Minister of Japan and the ceremony was followed by an audience with the Emperor of Japan.

Keynote Address at “Higher Education Summit for Global Development”

Invited to speak at the Higher Education Summit for Global Development, Serageldin delivered a keynote address entitled From Papyrus to PDFs: the Library Comes of Age. The meeting, which was convened by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, brought together university presidents from around the world.

Serageldin Attends Digital Library Federation Meeting

As a member of the Digital Library Federation (DLF) Board of Trustees, Serageldin attended the Spring Forum 2008 held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The DLF is an international association of libraries and allied institutions. Its mission is to enable new research and scholarship by developing an international network of digital libraries. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina became a strategic partner in 2005.

In Celebration of Shakespeare

In this year’s Celebration of Shakespeare’s Anniversary held at the BA, Serageldin’s lecture Richard II: Reflections on Language and Meaning, highlighted the characteristics of Shakespeare’s poetic language and his admirable ability to make his audience discover new facets of their own personality.

Database of “Beacon for Freedom of Expression” to Be Translated into Arabic

As board member of the Beacon for Freedom of Expression, Serageldin hosted a meeting of the board at the BA. In his inaugural address he called on the audience to battle for freedom of expression, and live in harmony regardless of income, beliefs or political ideas. The Beacon for Freedom of Expression project is dedicated to and in honor of the Library of Alexandria.

Forum Discussions on How Biofuel Subsidies Drive Food-Price Inflation

Serageldin hosted a forum organized by the Global Subsidiaries Initiative (GSI) and the InterPress News Agency, entitled Fuelling Hunger in the Middle East. The forum brought together senior media representatives from throughout the Middle East with international trade negotiators and policy-makers from Europe and North America, to examine the key drivers of escalating food cost around the world.

A Clarion Call

At the closing session of Fourth BioVisionAlexandria, Serageldin addressed his audience with a fervent and urgent call for action: “I issue a clarion call for us to indeed stop pining for the promises of tomorrow and start changing the practices of today”. Serageldin pointed out that the meeting had specifically focused on the need for action “ in the domains of food and hunger; public health and private medicine; environment and economy”.

Dr.Ismail Serageldin Closing Speech of BioVision Alexandria 2008 Conference

From Promises to Practice: A Call to Action

- Remarks at the Closing Session of the BioVision, Alexandria, Egypt

Under the banner of “From Promises to Practice” we met and we shared our knowledge and pooled our experience… and now, three days and 40 sessions later, reflecting on 150 presentations, and our countless discussions, what have we achieved?

From Promises To Practice : Rising To The Challenges Of The Twenty First

Keynote: Success Stories in the DECs and Lessons for the Future

Nobel Round Table of BioVision Alexandria 2008

Fifth Anniversary BA Film

BioVisionAlexandria 2008 Under Theme “From Promises to Practice”

Serageldin inaugurated the Fourth BioVisionAlexandria , From Promises to Practice. BioVision Alexandria alternates every second year with the World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision, Lyon. This year three Nobel laureates attended. At the inaugural session there were a number of eminent speakers: Philippe Desmarescaux, Chairman, World Life Sciences Forum; Koji Omi, Former Japanese Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy (Japan)....

Feed, Food and Fuel Discussed at Barley Genetics Syposium

Hosting the 10th International Barley Genetics Symposium at the BA, Serageldin discussed Feed, Food and Fuel in his address, pointing out that they have come to present major challenges in agriculture . He emphasized the need for genetic research to meet these challenges. The Symposium was jointly organized by the BA and the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (INCARDA)...

Golden Anniversary Celebration of Al-Arabi Magazine

Serageldin hosted a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Kuwaiti magazine Al-Arabi. Together with HE Sheik Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti Minister of Information, Serageldin inaugurated a round-table discussion on the future of Al-Arabi. Arab literary and media figures participated in the discussion. The Kuwaiti Minister of Information thanked Serageldin for hosting the celebration, and expressed appreciation of the role of the BA in issuing a special publication, Al-Arabi- Diwan of Arab Culture Catalogue, on this occasion.

Barley to the Rescue!

- Alexandria, Egypt

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled "Barley to the Rescue!".

Bio-Info-Nano-Technology (BINT): Convergence at the Frontiers of Science

- Alexandria, Egypt

The Linked Futures of North and South Regions of the Mediterranean

In The Mediterranean Facing the Stakes of the 21st Century meeting, held by the Institute of Prospective Economics of the Greater Mediterranean (IPEMed) , where international political personalities gathered to discuss the issue of Mediterranean integration, Serageldin called for dialogue and cooperation between the North and South regions. He focused on three domains where such cooperation is essential: 1...

A Call for Arab Participation in Technological Advances

In a lecture entitled Technological Advances in the World, delivered at the Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Serageldin spoke of the tremendous advances taking place daily in science and technology, and called on the Arab world to participate in these immense leaps in development, as producers rather than as users. He was welcomed in Riyadh by HRH Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz and Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh.