Serageldin Presents the BA at the Frankfurt Book Fair

The Arab World being the special guest of the Frankfurt Book Fair, the BA had an important part it eh special; wing devoted to the Arab Theme. The BA had organized the spectacular Culturama of the CULTNAT center, and had a special series of distinguished guests in its special auditorium. This was in addition to the work done on manuscripts and for the digital heritage generally.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina : The Rebirth of the Library of Alexandria

- Frankfurt

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The Rebirth of the Library of Alexandria” in Frankfurt.

Youth Delegates Meet in Mexico to Discuss Next Stages in the Youth Employment Summit Campaign

At the youth Employment Summit meeting today, Ismail Serageldin moderated an open discussion with about 200 persons in the room, including over ten ministers from various countries. In the process he helped develop a consensus over the next stage of the campaign to create 500 million sustainable livelihoods for youth in a decade.

Arab Contributions to the History of Science Featured at the BA

Serageldin could not attend the inauguration of the conference on Unknown Aspects Of Arab Contributions To The History Of Science. He expressed deep regret that urgent duties required his attendance in Cairo. He specifically mentioned that this was a topic of particular interest for which he had prepared with a disquisition on the nature of evolving scientific paradigms and the contributions of Arabs specifically and Muslims generally to the structure of scientific thought in the Middle Ages.

Who Destroyed the Ancient Library of Alexandria?

The fate of the ancient library was the topic of discussion by about forty of the worlds most eminent authorities. The conference organized by the Library of Alexandria as part of its Alexandria project is to produce the most comprehensive and authoritative discussion of that topic. Ismail Serageldin welcomed the distinguished scholars, and the eminent historian Mustapha Abbady chaired the conference proceedings.

Thousand-year-old Manuscripts Discussed at the BA

Millenary Manuscripts took center stage at the library Alexandria, as the manuscript center of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina held its first scientific conference. Serageldin delivered an opening address that spelled out the new Alexandria librarys approach to the question of heritage conservation and management. He advocated a proactive approach that encouraged the use of contemporary tools as much for preservation as for study.

Development, Human Rights and Poverty

- Cairo, Egypt

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Development, Human Rights and Poverty” in Cairo.

Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo as Special Guests at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo were the special guests of Ismail Serageldin at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. They held a special seminar presenting their experience, when from 1977, by their sheer presence and tenacity they inspired the Argentinean nation to stand up to the military dictatorship that was waging the dirty war against its own citizens, with tens of thousands of persons simply disappearing.

Underwater Archeology at the BA

Underwater archeology brought together rival researchers for an exhibition of their marvelous findings in a special display at the Library of Alexandria. Serageldin inaugurated the seminar that saw several specialists present learned findings, and showcased the work of Jean-Yves Empereur and his team (working mostly on the old Pharos and the area round the Qait Bay Fort) and the work of Frank Goddio and his team (from the eastern harbor to the bay of Abu Kir).

Serageldin Addresses Freedom of Expression Conference

Addressing inaugural session of the international conference on Freedom of Expression held at the library of Alexandria, Ismail Serageldin delivered a thoughtful and tempered address that does not leave much doubt as to his personal positions on the subject. In fact, he referred to it as the first freedom, from which all other freedoms flow, and the guarantor of democracy and human rights.

Opening Address: The First Freedom

- International Conference on the Beacon for Freedom of Expression, Alexandria, Egypt

Today, The Library of Alexandria lives again. By our gathering and our commitment, we represent the values that the great Library stood for, by our presence and our actions we give content to the slogans and take firm steps on the path of asserting the principles we stand for.

Intellectuals Annual Meeting in Alexandria Hears Progress Report by Serageldin

In his now traditional annual meeting of the Intellectuals, Serageldin presented his report to the General Assembly of Egyptian intellectuals. Serageldin reiterated that he considered this report a moral obligation, as they were the primary constituency of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. His report was comprehensive and drew a very positive response on the enormous amount of activities that had taken place.

Understanding Environmental Issues

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Understanding Environmental Issues” at the BA.

Ethics and Social Responsibilities in Science and Technology

- Cairo

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Ethics and Social Responsibilities in Science and Technology” in Cairo.

Scientific Thinking

- Cairo

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Scientific Thinking” in Cairo.

Tomorrow’s Promises

- ARS Electronica 2004

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Tomorrow’s Promises” at ARS Electronica 2004.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina The Rebirth of the Library of Alexandria

- IFLA

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Bibliotheca Alexandrina The Rebirth of the Library of Alexandria” at the IFLA.

IFLA Keynote Address Brings the BA to Center Stage

Delivering an impassioned keynote address to a packed plenary hall of the International Federation of Library Associations, Ismail Serageldin, the Librarian of Alexandria and Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, reviewed the glorious past, attacked the current challenges and surveyed the possibilities of the digital future for the library world if we have the courage to dream and the ability to embrace this exciting future.

Tomorrow’s Digital Libraries

- Kuwait

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Tomorrow’s Digital Libraries” in Kuwait.

Scientific Thinking: Part 2

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Scientific Thinking: Part 2” at the Library of Alexandria.

Science and Math Take Center Stage

Over the period 18-21 July 2004 Ismail Serageldin addressed the BA staff in a series of three long lectures covering much about math and science. The six hour mini-course was very well received by those who attended it, and may lay the ground for more such events in the future.

Serageldin Addresses Egyptian Intellectuals

Ismail Serageldin addressed the closing session of a roundtable of distinguished Egyptian intellectuals discussing the challenges of the knowledge society. He emphasized that the culture of science and the values of scientific inquiry must be broadly embraced throughout society, and that the scientific method must be the only authority recognized in the magisterium of science.

Scientific Thinking: Part 1

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Scientific Thinking: Part 1” at the Library of Alexandria.

Thinking about Mathematics

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Thinking about Mathematics” at the Library of Alexandria.

Serageldin Receives Neruda Medal from the Government of Chile

On the occasion of the centennial of the birth of the Nobel Laureate poet, Chile honored 100 persons world-wide, of whom Ismail Serageldin was one. A special event was organized at the BA where the Library also received a bust/medal of Neruda. Ismail Serageldin gave a short word of appreciation in which he lauded the eminent writer/poet.

Water and Agriculture Loom Large for Egypt's Future

Ismail Serageldin addressed a distinguished group of experts including the Minister of water Resources, sketching out a vision of high-value agriculture to make better use of the sector that consumes about 85% of water withdrawals in Egypt. The meeting was one of the activities sponsored by the committee on sustainable development of the BA.

DNA Exhibition Inaugurated

Ismail Serageldin delivered the inaugural lecture in a the launch of a special exhibition and lecture series celebrating over a half century of the Watson-Crick discovery of the double Helix. The series of events is jointly sponsored by the British Council and the BA. There are many special exhibitions and experiments designed specially for youth and children.

Towards a New Water Strategy for Egypt

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Towards a New Water Strategy for Egypt” at the Library of Alexandria.

Board Meetings of BA Centers End on a High Note

In a marathon few days, Ismail Serageldin successively chaired the Board meetings of all the centers affiliated with the BA and the overall tone of the meetings was a very upbeat one. Despite the brevity of their existence the centers and museums are well on their way to implementing many ambitious plans n their respective domains, ensuring that the BA will be a lively place and a true producer of knowledge as well.

Serageldin Addresses International Publishers

Ismail Serageldin today addressed the International Publishers Association, on the topic of free expression, censorship and the Muslim World. His remarks sparked a lively debate in the panel and led a number of participants to comment afterwards that they had not had this kind of perspective from the Muslim world before.

Serageldin Speaks in Dutch Senate

Ismail Serageldin gave an opening keynote address to a developmentally minded gathering held in the Senate chamber of the Dutch Parliament. The topic was the risk society from the perspective of the developing countries. On the big picture, Serageldin impressed the audience with the needs of the developing countries and their problems. But he also addressed methodological issues and analytical techniques.

Keynote Speech of Ali Gomaa, Ismail Serageldin & William Vendley

Arab Workshop on Free Expression Starts in the BA

Ismail Serageldin today welcomed some 50 eminent writers, journalists, artists and intellectuals from the Arab world for a workshop on the promotion of free expression. He emphasized that this was part of deepening the discussion of reform in the Arab World that the Alexandria Declaration had helped crystallize. He also posed some challenging philosophical questions for the participants to consider in their deliberations.

Michel Rocard Speaks at the Institut d'Egypte and the BA

Ismail Serageldin introduced Michel Rocard, former PM of France to a packed audience in the Middle Auditorium of the BA for the second lecture in two days, the first having been delivered at the Institut d'Egypte in Cairo the night before. Mr. Rocard explained the construction of the new Europe and reflected on the likely role of Europe, the US and the Middle East.

French Minitser of Culture Hosts Ceremony to Honor Serageldin

In the gilded Jerome room of the premises of the French Ministry of Culture, a small group gathered to witness the Minister of Culture, Donnedieu de Vabre, give a laudatory speech about Ismail Serageldin, and bestow upon him the order of Officer of Arts and Letters. The small ceremony was attended by a few eminent persons from the French cultural scene and Egypt's ambassador to France, Hatem Seif-el-Nasr.

First Ever Cooperation Agreement Signed between French Academy of Sciences and an Arab Institution

At the historic Institut de France, Prof. Emile-Etienne Beaulieu, President of the French Academy of Sciences, and Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, signed the first ever cooperation agreement between the prestigious academy and an Arab Institution. The agreement covers the collaboration of the two institutions in the international program, "la main a la pate", a hands-on approach to teaching science to children.

Serageldin Speaks at Foundation for Political Innovation

The newly established Foundation for Political Innovation welcomed Ismail Serageldin who delivered a speech about "Mirrors and Windows: Contemporary Views of the Self and the Other for the Dialogue of Cultures", which was followed by an active debate that lasted quite a while. Overall the lecture had a good impact on the audience, and many participants promised to follow up by E-mail and by other means on the many questions raised by the presentation and the debate that followed.

Region of Midi-Pyrenees Gives Serageldin its Honorary Medal

President Martin Malvy gave Ismail Serageldin a special medal of the region of the Midi-Pyrenees at a special luncheon held in his honor at the seat of the regional government in Toulouse. The short ceremony was followed by a tour of historic Toulouse and its new Mdiathque.

Serageldin Receives Honorary Doctorate from Toulouse Paul Sabatier University

The Universit Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, today held a special ceremony to honor Ismail Serageldin with a special Doctorate Honoris Causa, and to confer upon him a special medal of the university. The University of Toulouse is one of the oldest in the world, dating back from 1229 AD. The recent developments of the University saw a strong focus on sciences and a regrouping of the engineering and science node in Toulouse III, named after the eminent French Chemist Paul Sabatier, who received the Nobel Prize in 1912.

Serageldin Lays Out Reform Activities in Al-Ahram Article

Ismail Serageldin published an important essay (in Arabic) in Al-Ahram today. Entitled "What comes after the Alexandria Declaration?" Serageldin made the case for focusing on a bottom up approach to Arab reform, and laid out a thoughtful and complete program of work for the coming year to move in that direction. The essay elicited many reactions and has already been translated into French and English, and at least one eminent intellectual reprised he title to make a strong case for the civil society approach being pursued.

After the Alexandria Declaration, What Next? Heated Debate Focuses on Democratic Aspirations

Over 400 persons attended a Lunch discussion organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham) at the Marriott Hotel. The topic: After the Alexandria Declaration, what next? The speakers were Ismail Serageldin, Kamal Aboulmagd and Mahmoud Mohie-Eldin, all three among the drafters and signatories of the Declaration.

Egyptian Intellectuals Meet at the BA

Over 100 of Egypt’s leading intellectuals met at the BA in Alexandria to help guide the BA’s programs of activities. Ismail Serageldin set out for them a series of challenges for the year ahead and they responded to these challenges with their recommendations and made suggestions to improve the overall performance of the BA in various domains.

Harvard University Board of Advisors Meets in the BA

Jointly The BA hosted the meeting of the Advisory Board of the Harvard Center of Urban Development Studies (CUDS), whose members met for three day in Alexandria. The event marked another first in the BA’s efforts to become a special meeting place for the elite institutions of learning in the world. The Board interacted with a number of the young managers at the BA and the meetings were deemed to have been a great success.

AAAS Conference Gives Serageldin a Standing Ovation

The 300 scientists assembled at the special AAAS fellows 30 th anniversary conference in Washington DC gave Ismail Serageldin a standing ovation after he delivered an impassioned plea to harness science for the benefits of the poor and not just for the service of the rich. The organizers of the conference felt that the keynote address, rich in imagery and filled with evocative language, had been “inspiring”.

Getty and the BA: Prospects for Future Collaboration?

Serageldin visited the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and held discussions with Tim Whalen, GCI president and with Harold Williams CEO emeritus of the Getty. Serageldin also delivered a public lecture on the BA, past present and future that was very well received by the 500 plus attendees at the Getty’s Williams Auditorium.

Serageldin Speaks at Brookings

The Brookings institution, the famous Washington think-tank, welcomed Ismail Serageldin for a talk followed by Q&A over a two-hour Breakfast session with the leading specialists in Middle Eastern Affairs in the Washington Area. The talk addressed the timely issue of Arab Reform, and was very well received.

Serageldin Delivers Keynote Address at International Water Conference

Ismail Serageldin delivered the keynote address at an international conference on water issues being held at this bucolic University town. Serageldin addressed the global water dimensions of the challenge, and positioned the small water systems at the heart of the required response if the Millennium Development Goals are to be met.

Honorary Doctorate from UTS Highlight of Serageldin's Visit in Australia

In a whirlwind two days, Ismail Serageldin met the PM of NSW and current Culture Minister of Australia, and the deputy leader of the NSW parliament, as well as the Association of friends of the BA headed by Lorenzo Montessini, received an Honorary Doctorate from UTS, delivered a thoughtful and inspiring commentary to the graduates, delivered a major open lecture on the role of Libraries in creating and promoting Civil Society, met with the media, had extensive discussions with Alex Byrne the President-elect of IFLA, and met with the Egyptian community in Sydney.

Remarks by Ismail Serageldin at UTS Graduation Ceremony

Thank you for the great honor you do me and for the special privilege of standing before you at this special moment of renewal and transition. Perennial as the grass, graduations celebrate achievement and promote transition. To the graduates, our speeches today must both help and challenge you as you embark on your new journey of

Egyptian Reform: The Time for Action is Now!

At a time when the whole world has put the Arab world under a microscope, and Arab as well as foreign voices are crying for reform, the question is no longer whether reform is needed, but rather how to bring about lasting change.