TRENDS Center participates in the Euro-Arab Dialogue Conference in Cairo Participants emphasize the role of think tanks in facilitating dialogue and promote the values of coexistence and tolerance

A delegation from TRENDS Research and Advisory participated in the deliberations of the eighth session of the EURO-Arab Dialogue Conference, which was held in Cairo under the theme: "Religion and Civil Society". The conference is organized by the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) in Cairo, Egypt.

The TRENDS delegation, represented by Mr. Sultan Majid Al-Ali, Director of the Global Barometer Department at TRENDS Research and Advisory, and Dr. Ayman El-Desouky, Senior Researcher at TRENDS Center, interacted with participants from 17 Arab and European countries. The discussion exchanged visions and experiences, in the five sessions of the conference and the working groups that emerged from it. The delegation attended the discussions on issues related to civil society, its roles in supporting sustainable development, the role of religion in activating civil organizations and related issues of citizenship and tolerance.

The Center's delegation met with a large number of participants in the conference, and exchanged ideas on issues related to the theme of the conference. The delegation discussed modalities of joint cooperation between TRENDS Center and the research and civil bodies to which these participants belong. The discussion engagements included the Coptic Evangelical Organization (CEOSS) and the Sigtuna Foundation, Sweden.

The TRENDS delegation also met with Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki, President of the Coptic Evangelical Organization and President of the Evangelical Churches in Egypt. They discussed ways of joint cooperation and prospects for organizing the next session of the EURO-Arab Dialogue in Abu Dhabi in partnership with TRENDS Research and Advisory.

The Center's delegation also met with His Excellency HE Dr Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, Minister of the Endowments in Egypt and exchanged ideas on promoting the values of tolerance and equal citizenship. The audience discussed the revival of Islamic thought, combating extremism and terrorism and the principles of dialogue with the Europeans and others.

The TRENDS delegation also visited the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies. The two sides held an insightful discussion with the participants. Dr. Abdel Moneim Said, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Egyptian Center attended the discussion on various issues related to the problems and opportunities of the EURO-Arab dialogue and the role of think tanks in facilitating this interaction.