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.

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.

A Call for Education and Innovation Among Youth

In a speech at AUC about youth, entrepreneurship and the developing world, Ismail Serageldin argued that Egyptian youth have the potential to place the country on the global technology roadmap. “Can we do it? Yes we can!” Serageldin said. “Our youth may look weak and vulnerable, but working together we will surprise you. Working together, we’ll put Egypt back on top of the world.”

Serageldin Speaks on Modernization and Cultural Identity in Islam

Ismail Serageldin explored architectural and artistic expressions, past and present, in the Muslim world in his lecture on ‘Modernization and Cultural Identity in Islam’ at the Institute of Ismaili Studies. Beginning with an overview of the fractured state of the contemporary global landscape...

BA and TIG Join Together to Empower Youth and Promote Cross-Cultural Dialogue

The BA signed an important Memorandum of Understanding, forming a partnership with TakingITGlobal (TIG) in Canada, to engage youth from Canada and the MENA region in cross-cultural dialogue as well as support youth-led development, through the “Youth for Change” program. The “Youth for Change” pilot project will focus on no less than 6 priority countries from the Arab World, to achieve its objectives through several project components.

Cairo University Honors Serageldin

Cairo University is honoring Serageldin as part of its centennial celebration. Serageldin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Cairo University. The University will present a short documentary on Serageldin and a welcome speech by the University President will then follow. Also during the celebration, Serageldin will speak about his days as a student at Cairo University and his vision for the future of the University.

Part Three : Humans,Robots and the Future

Part One : Where did our computers come from

Part Two The Search for Artificial Intelligence

Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa’s Development

 Co-authors Ismail Serageldin and Calestous Juma    Download

Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa’s Development (French edition)

 Calestous Juma and Ismail Serageldin    Download

Water for a Growing Planet

 Ismail Serageldin & Ehsan Masood (Co-editors)    Download

مكتبة الإسكندرية من البناء الى العمل

 إسماعيل سراج الدين    Download

Serageldin Awarded Two Honorary Doctorates from Azerbaijan

During his first visit to Azerbaijan, Ismail Serageldin received two Honorary Doctorates in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of society and for special achievements in science and education. The two universities from which Serageldin received the Honorary Doctorates are Khazar University and Azerbaijan State Economic University.

President of Azerbaijan Receives Serageldin in Baku

H.E. President lham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received Ismail Serageldin in his office at the Presidential palace in Baku. The meeting discussed the development of relations in the spheres of science and education between Azerbaijan and Egypt as well as the forthcoming Youth Employment Summit that is to be held in Azerbaijan in 2008.

Serageldin Meets with the First Lady of Azerbaijan

Ismail Serageldin met with H.E. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, to discuss the Youth Employment Summit (YES) that is to be held in Azerbaijan in 2008. Mrs. Aliyeva expressed her support to YES and wished the conference every success.

Challenges of Managing Water Resources Sustainably: Solutions for the New Millennium based on Human Solidarity

I have been asked to address Cultural diversity. But before I sketch out some of these challenges and suggest some questions for our consideration, I want to bring in a viewpoint that has not been sufficiently heard in these proceedings to this moment.

The Challenges of Cultural Diversity

- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I have been asked to address Cultural diversity. But before I sketch out some of these challenges and suggest some questions for our consideration, I want to bring in a viewpoint that has not been sufficiently heard in these proceedings to this moment.

Press Conference of Inaugural Mo Ibrahim Prize

The Mo Ibrahim Prize Ceremony

- Remarks on the Occasion of The Mo Ibrahim Prize Ceremony at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt

Welcome to Egypt and to the New Library of Alexandria. It is a pleasure to welcome such eminent guests to our Bibliotheca Alexandrina, dedicated to the values of freedom of expression, mutual respect, openness, rationality, dialogue and learning. Values that are essential to promote good governance, tolerance and a humane society.

BA Hosts First Mo Ibrahim Prize Ceremony

President Joaquim Chissano, the former President of Mozambique, has accepted the inaugural Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership from Kofi Annan, the former Secretary General of the United Nations, at a ceremony at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. At the opening of the ceremony, Serageldin welcomed the guests to Alexandria and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and lauded Mo Ibrahim’s efforts in promoting good governance and leadership in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Closing Session and Press Conference of Japan-Arab Conference

Reporting Session of Japan-Arab Conference

Japan - Arab Dialogue Forum

- Fifth Session, Alexandria, Egypt

The Japan-Arab Dialogue Forum was set up as an informal means to explore ideas and strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Arab world for the benefit of all parties involved. The first meeting of the Japan Arab Dialogue Forum was held in Tokyo in September 2003.

Serageldin Chairs Fifth Session of the Japan-Arab Dialogue Forum

The delegations of Japan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt convened for the fifth session of the Japan-Arab Dialogue Forum and have reviewed three topics: the political situation, avenues for economic cooperation and the promotion of the Japan-Arab cultural dialogue. On each of these topics, the parties reviewed possibilities and candidly shared views and analyses, hopes and concerns.

Copyright Talk at Carnegie Mellon

At the third International Conference on Universal Digital Library (ICUDL), Ismail Serageldin delivered a lucid presentation on intellectual property rights in the digital age and why copyright laws must change. The presentation was very well received and generated a lot of questions from the audience.

NSF Advisory Committee Meeting

The advisory committee for International Science and Engineering of which Serageldin is a member convened for a one-day meeting at the National Science Foundation.

Celebrating Five Dynamic Years at the BA

President and Mrs. Mubarak attended a celebration to mark the fifth anniversary of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. At the outset of the celebration, President Mubarak gave a speech in which he reflected on the role of the BA as a focal point for dialogue. The celebration witnessed placing the 555.555th book on the library shelves.

Ten Books That Shaped the World: A Discussion

- Shanghai, China

I was recently asked to name the ten books that had most shaped the world. Not the ten books that I personally liked best, but the ten books that most influenced humanity and its march towards progress, and the creation of what we call civilization.

Cultural Accumulation and Modern Reading

- Shanghai, China

We live in the age of the internet. The digital age, where the traditional boundaries between voice, text, image and data have blurred and are on the verge of disappearing. The traditional view of writing as the supreme means of communication has already for a century been gradually displaced by the role of the image in transferring knowledge and interconnecting generations…

Sharm El Sheikh Youth Conference A Great Success

Entitled ‘The Power of Youth for Peace’, the Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement organized a forum that brought together youth from around the world to address the issues that matter to them, on their terms and on an equal footing with leading public, private and civic leaders, and policy makers. The five main themes of the forum were; youth promotion of peace and tolerance, ICT for peace, community engagement, youth political participation, global citizenship, and youth economic development.

The New Face of Terrorism – A Three Part Introduction

Over the course of one afternoon, Ismail Serageldin delivered three presentations under the theme ‘The New Face of Terrorism’. Serageldin presented part one on terrorism today and tomorrow, part two on unconventional forms of terrorism and part three on bioterrorism. All three presentations were very well received and attendance was excellent.

Serageldin Hosts Weekly Hour-long TV Program

To confront the currents of obscurantism, fanaticism and to promote the values of pluralism, rationality and learning, Ismail Serageldin has taken on the task of preparing and hosting a weekly hour-long television program. Episodes will cover a broad range of topics – everything from Napoleon Bonaparte to Coral Reefs! The program features special guests each week and will air every Friday on Egypt’s Channel two.

An On-air Presentation

In a two-hour-long interview with Dream Television’s Mona ElShazly, Ismail Serageldin gave an on-air presentation on the frontiers of science during which he gave a lucid account of today’s scientific advancements.

Serageldin Named a Senator in Egypt

Ismail Serageldin has been named a Senator in Egypt. The Egyptian parliament includes both the People’s Assembly (the lower house, or the commons) and the Shura Council (or the Senate). The President appoints a limited number of seats. The vast majority are elected.

Lunch with Their Majesties the King and Queen of Norway

At the Royal Palace in Oslo, Serageldin lunched with Their Majesties the King and Queen of Norway. Her Majesty Queen Sonja had visited the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in October 2006. While in Oslo, Serageldin also delivered a key note speech on Islam and Democracy at a seminar in cooperation with the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign and attended by members of the ministry’s Forum for Religion and Foreign Policy which brings together prominent religious leaders from all faith communities as well as leading academics in the field. Serageldin also held meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with other relevant partners.

Reflecting on a Glorious Past to Build A Brilliant Future

- An Adress to a seminar organized by the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Religions for Peace, Oslo, Norway

Thank you for inviting me to deliver this important address. There has never been a time when the polarization of feelings has been as acute, and the stakes for the promotion of common understanding and mutual respect as great as right now. The advocates of the ostensible "clash of civilizations” who want to make it a self-fulfilling prophecy, find ample comfort in the statements and actions of the extremist few.

IPL Science Board Meeting

Ismail Serageldin attended the meeting of the Institute Para Limes Science Board, of which he is a member. The meeting covered reports on the workshops that took place so far, seed projects, proposals for future projects, program for the coming years and the governance of IPL.

A Conference for Policymakers and Practitioners

Ismail Serageldin gave the keynote address at the opening of a conference titled Knowledge Management as an Enabler of Change and Innovation in Africa. Serageldin gave an insightful presentation on sharing knowledge effectively and applying research into practice and influencing policymakers. The conference was organized by the Global Development Network, African Capacity Building Foundation, and The World Bank.

Publishing for Impact

At the third conference on Publishing for Impact, Ismail Serageldin encouraged conference participants to embrace the use of print-on-demand and Internet distribution, arguing that it is especially important for non-profit publishers to rise to digital-age challenges to reach readers in developing countries. Publishing for Impact is the only event of its kind that speaks specifically to the concerns of non-profit publishers. Now in its third year, the event focused on publishing across boundaries, both geographic and technological.

Revisiting the Magnificent Coral Reefs of the Red Sea

Ismail Serageldin is once again visiting his beloved corals in the red sea. Ever since Professor Veron named a coral after him, he is hoping to find it in Egyptian waters. The Coral in question, the Montastrea Serageldini (identified in Veron’s monumental 3-volume work: Corals of the world, vol.3) is a native of the Indian Ocean. But hope springs eternal… At any rate, here is a picture of the Montastrea Serageldini:

In the Knowledge Economy, We Are All Developing Nations

Speaking to the assembled dignitaries and students attending the CIP forum, Serageldin delivered a moving keynote address arguing that the need to provide access to all knowledge to all people at all times, was a need that would benefit both advanced and developing countries.

Putting Diversity to Work at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East

Business leaders and policy makers gathered at the World Economic Forum to address the importance of social and political diversity and economic diversification in the region. The theme of this year''s World Economic Forum on the Middle East, Putting Diversity to Work, spotlights efforts to accelerate economic diversification...

On A Boat in Geneva

Meeting with a group of Swiss Egyptians on a boat in the lake by Geneva, Serageldin recreated the inspiring and dramatic story of the ancient library of Alexandria and the rebirth of the new bibliotheca Alexandrina in 2002. Speaking in flawless French, he carried the audience with him on a journey of nostalgia and discovery.

Religion and Science Are Non-overlapping Magisteria

Speaking at a lunch in a discussion moderated by TV anchor Riz Khan, Serageldin spelled out his vision of the need to separate the methods of empirical investigation (the basis for science) from the act of belief and of philosophical reasoning. Serageldin argued that each of these domains or magisteria had its own authority structure and answered different classes of questions.

C-100 Meets Again

Serageldin joined Lord Carey and Princess Lolwah Al Faisal and many others at the meeting of the C-100 held on the occasion of the WEF meetings in Jordan. The discussion centered on the future orientations of the C-100, and the importance of rigor in preparing an annual report on the status of west-Islamic relations.

IUBS Conference Starts with a Bang in Washington DC

Serageldin joined Rita Colwell, Bill Clark, Claire Fraser-Liggett and other distinguished speakers in the opening plenary to launch the IUBS meeting. He spoke of the need to have a new system of measurement that would be capable of capturing the reality of sustainable development.

Committee Reconvenes on Millennium Development Goals

Serageldin and members of the high-level committee on the Millennium Development Goals convened in Rome at the FAO headquarters for their second meeting. The meeting focused on three main topics, the lessons learnt from SPFS; emerging threats to food security with a particular emphasis on climate change and FAO as a knowledge organization.

One, Two, Three, Four…The Hidden Geometries in Shakespearean Constructs

- Alexandria, Egypt

On a bright sunny day, half a century after the death of Shakespeare, a young man darkened his room in Cambridge, and made a hole in his window shutters, allowing only a single beam of sunlight to enter the darkened room. He placed a glass prism in the path of the light, and lo! The bright white light, suddenly became a spectacular explosion of colors! A multicolored rainbow!