Egypt (82) UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme. Progress Report. Period of activity: January - December 2003

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1 Egypt (82) UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme Progress Report Period of activity: January - December 2003 UNESCO-Cousteau Ecotechnie Chair / Network in Environment and Sustainable Development Report established by: Irina Springuel and Ahmed Belal, UNESCO Chair-holder and Professor I. Activities Timetable of UNESCO Ecothechnie Chair activities during the reported period 2003 Date Activities Sponsors Training programme on biological statistics January 2003 January- Field Project in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve UNESCO Paris meeting Linkage in the landscape: social and cultural aspects attended by Dr. Springuel 8 WABR: One day training for school children in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve. 16 students of first and second year of preparatory school (Nagib Mahfus school in Aswan) 9 WABR: Meeting of local communities living in WABR with Governor of Aswan and meeting of Governor with UESD and BR rangers March 2003 Attending and giving presentation on Regional Arab Meeting for the Harmonisation of Tentative natural World heritage Lists in Arab Countries Training of junior staff of UESD on preparing the small research projects to be implemented in Wadi Allaqi BR Instructor in the Second Regional Training Workshop for Directors and rangers of BR in the Arab Region on Ecosystem approach in BR The British Council, UNESCO, Cairo UNESCO Chair Chair/UNESCO UNESCO Paris UNESCO Chair Aswan Governorate UNESCO Chair The National UNESCO Committee and Egyptian MAB Chair UNESCO UNESCO Cairo

2 Management March 2003 WABR: Practical work for 4 th year students (Botany and Environment Departments) in WABR UNESCO Chair 3 April 2003 Public seminar in Nubian Museum on biodiversity Chair and Medicinal plants by Dr. Arafa Hamed from UESD 8 April Meeting in UESD with staff of center of Chair, EEAA environmental monitoring of lake Nasser (CEMLN), UESD, Preparation of programme for this center: Present: Profs Belal and Springuel,Chairs holders Dr Ahmed Abdel Megid and Mr Director and Vice-director of CEMLN 9 April Seminar/ lecture: Old Nubia in UESD for University students and staff by Director and Head on Education division of Nubian museum: Mr. Usama Abdel Wairth and Mr. Hosni Abdel Rahim Chair 9 April Workshop on management of WABR with Chair, EEAA stakeholders of Wadi Allaqi, workers from quarrels mining, EEAA staff, staff of center of environmental monitoring of lake Nasser, UESD 19 April Public seminar in Nubian Museum by Dr. Ahmed Chair Hegazy, Cairo University 20 April Seminar in UESD by Dr. Ahmed Hegazy, Cairo Chair University May Great Rivers Forum, N.Novgorod Russia and UNESCO 2003 UNESCO meeting of Volga Vision project (Springuel) May Conference in Cairo Sustainable Tourism Egypt Chair (Springuel& 2003 lecture given Eco-tourism in Wadi Allaqi Belal) Biosphere Reserve June Water Forum, Cannes France, Lecture given. UNESCO and 2003 Chair r July Attending meeting on Water, Delft, the Netherlands UNESCO (Springuel) July Practical work in Wadi Allaqi, students 2 nd and 4 th Chair years July-August Work in Glasgow University The British Council August Writing and submitting project on Wadi hydrology 8-22 September Work on gender Development project in Wadi Allaqi with Glasgow colleagues: Briggs, Sharp The British Council, Chair The 10 th Regional Meeting of the Arab IHP National Chair September Committees, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 5 October Meeting with Italian and Egyptian representatives of Springuel and Belal project handcraft in Egypt connection to women NGO 7 October Meeting with Dr. Lamia in IDRC to discuss the book publication and project in Wadi Allaqi, co-operation with IDRC Springuel and Belal 19 th October Seminar Birds of Nile Valley by J. Nowakowski and Chair 2003 Dirk Martinus Hoek, Aswan Unit 2

3 October - December 15 th November Writing 10 years report on Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve in cooperation with EEAA managers of WABR Meeting with WABR rangers in Unit Present All rangers Drs Belal and Springuel Discussion: current work in Allaqi, management programme and Event with Allaqi Children. Springuel Ahmed Belal Chair, 11 December Celebration for Children, literacy in Allaqi Chair 24 December Meeting with rangers to discuss management Chair, Springuel programme for WABR. and Ahmed Belal with rangers and Unit staff December Preparing two brochures: 1Childeren of Wadi Allaqi Chair (English and Arabic) : UNESCO Ecotechnie Chair December- January Preparing and writing the management programme for Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve Chair and 1 Education/Training/Research 1.1. Literacy programme During the reported period of 2003 the Chair continued to provide basic education to the local community in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve and particularly to women and children. This programme was initiated in 2002 and described in a previous report. As it was mentioned in the previous report To be sustainable this activity should be long-lasting and should have further support. During the reporting period a team of young researchers visited weekly the Bedouins settlement in Wadi Allaqi to give lessons to children and women. Support was received from DFID project Bedouin women s development programme, Wadi Allaqi, South-Eastern Desert, Egypt, thought the British Council The key stone activity in this programme was the Celebration for Bedouin s children Literacy Programme which was organised by UNESCO Chair in co-operation with women NGO (Women development in Wadi Allaqi and Area Conservation) and EEAA rangers of WABR. This event took place in the Wadi Allaqi Research Station of UESD on 11 December Together with Bedouins and their children many government officials were invited, particularly Mrs. Soad Demerdash, Director of Literacy in Aswan Branch of the General Authority for Literacy and Adult Education (GALAE), Dr Hoda Moustafa, Director of the Women's National Council in Aswan), Mr Saleh, the Headman of Wadi Allaqi village), different NGO members related to Bedouins. Also children (in the same age groups of the Bedouin in Wadi Allaqi) from Naguib Mahfouz French School in Aswan with their supervisors took part in this event. Two microbuses were hired to transport the guests to Wadi Allaqi. New clothes and small presents were given to all children participating in this programme (about 60 in total) to encourage them in their learning skills. The main results of the celebration 3

4 Children participating in the literacy programme are better motivated in the importance of education in their future life. Several men particularly from the Amorab (Bishari) clan asked that their children's names be written in order to be involved in the project. Two families from Wadi Um Ashira also asked that their children names be written down for the Literacy Project. This celebration attracted the attention and raised the awareness of government and NGO officials of the problems facing the Bedouins living in WABR. Mrs. Soad Demerdash, Director of Literacy Programme in the Aswan Branch of GALAE, promised to make a contract with members of the working team to enlarge literacy project in WABR giving the chance for more children to be educated. She promised as well to provide all the requisite facilities including stationery, chalkboards, chalk and other items, such as sewingmachines to encourage the women to be involved in this project. Dr Hoda Mostafa, Director of National Women Council in Aswan, strongly supported the women's NGO activities in WABR. 1.2 Practical field work for undergraduate students The Chair carried out the practical field work for undergraduate students in department of Botany and Environmental Studies A three days field course for 4 th year students was conducted in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve in March A summer field course (July-August) for second year students (Department of Environmental Science) was carried out at the Unit of Environmental Studies and Development in University campus and in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve Exchange student s programme 4 th year students from the Faculties of Science in Aswan and Sohaq, South Valley University were sent to Glasgow through the young scientist student s exchange visits programme. 1.3 Postgraduate studies and research The postgraduate students' environmental research projects are incorporated into the programme of education for sustainable development. The central focus of this programme is on the sustainable management of natural resources for development in marginal and fragile environments. Crucial to this programme is the inclusion in the research not only of indigenous knowledge systems but also the direct incorporation of inhabitants attitudes to needs and priorities of development and equitable growth. A few such research projects undertaken by postgraduate students in WABR are summarised below: Assessment of the economic and conservation values of plants: multidisciplinary team: plant taxonomist, ecologist, and human geographer. Assessment of medicinal value of plants: biochemist, ecologist and ethno-botanist Cultivation of indigenous plants: agronomist, ecologist and soil scientist 4

5 Role of Bedouin women in the household: social scientist, ecologist and human geographer. At present, there are four MSc and one PhD postgraduate students doing research work in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve and another five postgraduate students work in the unit on the university campus. 1.4 Training Regional training: Second Regional Training Workshop for Directors and rangers of BR in the Arab Region on Ecosystem approach in BR Management. Chair holders, Professors Springuel and Belal were invited as instructors for this training: The brief comments on the training workshop was submitted to UNESCO Cairo Office by chair holders There were 21 participants all together; among these, 10 trainees, including five participants from the Arab Region (Sudan, Tunis and Morocco), three from two BRs in Egypt and two from Egyptian Protected Areas Training on national and local level The Chair organized the training programmes for students and staff working in the Biosphere Reserve on different topics: methods of fieldwork, monitoring, communication with local inhabitants, establishing a database, and many others. During the reporting period 2003 the following training programmes were organized: Training programme on biological statistics One day training for school children in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve. 16 students of first and second year of preparatory school (Naguib Mahfouz School in Aswan) Regular training of junior staff of UESD on preparing small research projects to be implemented in Wadi Allaqi BR Regular training for WABR rangers and UESD junior staff 1.5 Public seminars A series of public seminars was organised by the Chairholders to increase awareness of biodiversity and protection of environment. Two seminars were organised in the Nubia Museum in the town of Aswan and three in UESD, South Valley University. The main objectives of this activity are: to increase environmental awareness and provide basic environmental knowledge to those groups of people, which are concerned and/or in direct relationship with school education as well as people responsible for protection of the environment in Aswan Governorate. 5

6 Target groups: schoolteachers; students from the Faculties of Education, Science, Arts and Social Work respectively, South Valley University, government and local authority employers and NGOs. Working languages: Arabic with some English a. Seminar: Sustainable Development; Johannesburg World Summit Professor Mostafa Tolba, former Executive Director of UNEP 28 December 2002 This seminar was attended by 70 participants, mainly comprising staff and postgraduate students of South Valley University. b. Public seminar in Nubia Museum on Biodiversity and Medicinal plants 3 April 2003 This seminar was presented by Dr Arafa Hamed, Assistant Professor in the Botany Department and Researcher at UESD, South Valley University. The duration of the seminar was two-and-a-half hours and it was attended by more than 100 participants. These included staff and students from different Faculties of South Valley University, staff of the Unit of Environmental Studies and Development, South Valley University and of the EEAA Aswan Branch. c. Public seminar in the Nubia Museum Environmental Ethics and Biological Revolution of the 21 st Century 19 April 2003 This seminar was given by Dr Ahmed Kamel Hegazy, Professor in Cairo University. d. Seminar in UESD, South Valley University on Nubia Museum activities: Nubia Museum and community from social, cultural and environmental aspects. 9 April 2003 The seminar was chaired by Mr. Usama Abdel-Warith and Mr Hosni Abdel-Rahim. Director and Head of Education Division respectively of the Nubia Museum. It was attended by about 70 students from different Faculties of South Valley University, university technical and academic staff and UESD staff. e. Seminar in South Valley University Allelopathy in plants This seminar was chaired by Dr Ahmed Kamel Hegazy, a professor in Cairo University and intended mainly for the staff and students of the Botany Department and Department of Environmental Science. Some staff and students from the Zoology Department also attended this seminar. f. Seminar in South Valley University Birds of the Nile Valley 19 October 2003 The seminar was chaired by Dr Javoslaw Nowakowski of the University of Podlasie, Poland and Dr Dirk Martinus Hoek of the Ecology Office of the town of Rotterdam, Holland. 6

7 It was attended by about 50 people including students from different Faculties of South Valley University, university technical and academic staff, UESD and EEAA staff. 1.6 Research Women s literacy and handicrafts programmes, Wadi Allaqi Biosphere reserve, Egypt During reporting period 2003 the Chair implemented DFID Gender and Development Small Projects: Women s literacy and handicrafts programmes, Wadi Allaqi, Egypt which was financed by the Department for International Development (DFID) and the British Council. This project implemented in cooperation with Glasgow University senior researches (Drs. J. Sharp and J. Briggs) who were regularly visiting UESD at Aswan, South Valley University, where the Chair is located. Field work was conducted in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve by female Chair staff Research work in Upper Egypt The Chair provides facilities for junior university staff to conduct research work which related to ecotechnie concept and activities for sustainable development. Also Chair supervises the research and provides small grand for post-graduate research work on following topics: Indigenous knowledge in Eastern Desert Wadi Allaqi Fresh Water Aquatic Plant Ecology Phytochemical Study of some Desert Plants Chemotaxonomy of Desert Plants During reporting period one post graduate student obtained Ph.D degree by conducting research on Environmental Studies on Aquatic plants in Egypt and two post graduate students obtained MSc degree. 2 Conferences/Congresses/Meetings/Workshops 2.1. Workshop on management of WABR with stakeholders of Wadi Allaqi, 9 April 2003 This evening workshop was held in Wadi Allaqi, in the administration centre of the Biosphere Reserve and UESD field station between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. The main objective of this activity was to discuss the different ways for collaboration between all governorate authorities, private sector and other organisations that have an interest in the development of WABR. The present meeting was the first one in a planned series of meetings with different stakeholders. This meeting was aiming to have discussions with people working in mining and quarrying. All together about 30 participants attended this workshop including: - Administration and rangers from the Wadi Allaqi Conservation staff - Chairholders and staff of the Unit of Environmental Studies and Development at South Valley University 7

8 - Representatives from the Lake Nasser Development Authority including the centre for Environmental Monitoring and Department of mines and quarries - Directors, Vice-directors and other administrative staff and workers from companies of the quarries and mines located in WABR 3. Missions/Travels abroad Chair holders (Ahmed Belal and Irina Springuel) mission to Glasgow University from 27 July to 9 th August Visiting professors / Fellowships Three visiting scientists from Glasgow University: Prof. John Briggs, Dr. Joanne Sharp and Dr. James Currall were invited to conduct research work in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve, supervise and give training for the junior staff of the Chair. Visits had been supported by the British Council and DFID 5. Information and documentation activities 5.1. The management programme for Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve. 5.2 The ten-year periodic report on Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve 5.3 The project proposal for the establishment of a Desert Education Centre in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve 5.4 The Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Wadi Allaqi) between Egypt and Sudan. 5.5 Publications During the reporting period the following publications were produced: Three brochures were prepared and copies on CD were given to the UNESCO Cairo Office for publication. Factors Affecting Aquatic Macrophytes in Irrigation and Drainage of Sugar Cane Fields in Upper Egypt. M.M.Ali, I.V. Springuel, I.B. Abdel-Fareid. Bull.Fac.Sci., Assiut Univ. 32((1-D): , 2003 Palatability of fodder plants, Springuel.Journal of Arid Ecosystems vol.9 N 18:30-39, April 2003 Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve. Irina Springuel and Ahmed Esmat Belal. Prospects, vol XXXIII no3, September 2003 River Nile Wetlands: An Ecological Perspective Irina Springuel and Osman Ali in press (chapter in book, Cambridge University Press) Aswan High Dam Lake and its impact on the surrounding desert, Irina Springuel and Ahmed Belal, Proceedings 5 Symposium International de l'eau, June 2003, Canne A case study on Ecotourism in the Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve, Irina Springuel and Ahmed Belal, Proceedings, STE Conference, Cairo,

9 Some environmental subjects Book pp 40 in Arabic for school children age was prepared by Chair holders and published by Al-Hadara, Cairo. Financial support was provided from UNESCO Cairo 6. Others: 6.1 Networks The UNESCO Chair on Unit of Environmental Studies and Development, South Valley University, Egypt is the Regional Co-coordinating Unit (RCU) of the Arab Region Ecothechnie Network (AREN) which united eight universities in Arab countries. During the reporting period the Chair maintained close communication between the focal persons representing each university. Following recommendations of the 4 th annual meeting which took place in Paris, November 2002, Chair prepared the report of this meeting, AREN regulations, the project proposals on Biodiversity Based Education and distributed all documents between AREN members. The RCU in close co-operation with the UNESCO Cairo Office and the University of Jordan organised the 5 th annual AREN meeting which took place in the University Jordan, in January During AREN meeting the above mentioned documents were discussed and AREN regulations had been approved. Important publications had been exchanged between AREN members, particularly the three volumes of Flora of Egypt were sent to AREN members, who are closely related to this subject. I. Impact The beneficiaries of the Chair fall into two main categories: 1. The peoples affected by the strategies for sustainable development which we seek to generate through the Chair, and 2. The host research institution (UESD, South Valley University), the research institutes or other structures involved in networking with the Chair. In terms of the people affected by the strategies for sustainable development, the primary beneficiaries are the residents of the Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve. There are many who will benefit indirectly through the strategies generated. They include the people from in 1) the entire Lake Nasser region, 2) those regions inescapably affected by whatever development takes place in Lake Nasser region - namely the peoples of the Nile Valley in Upper Egypt and in Egypt in general, in the Mediterranean basin and in the Middle East, and 3) those who are in similar hot, hyper arid regions (e.g. the Sahel) who may also be able to apply or adapt our management strategies to their situations. Under the second category, the primary benefits are the enhancement of existing research capacities and the cross-pollination of ideas. This is primarily the case of the Unit of Environmental Studies and Development within South Valley University. Secondly, the whole of South Valley University (with its four campuses in the Governorates of Aswan, Qena, Sohag and Red Sea) benefits from the Chair, as will other similarly focused member institutions of the networks to which the unit presently 9

10 belongs. These include 1) other Biosphere Reserves within the MAB Programme, particularly those in hyper-arid regions, 2) AREN, NEEN, other member institutes within the Egyptian Association of Universities and 4) the other UNESCO Chairs on Environment and Sustainable Development. On local scale the Chair provide research facilities for postgraduate Egyptian students. During reporting period 2003, three postgraduate students obtained MSc and PhD degrees in biology and environmental science. Another two post graduate students are completely supported by chair and there are five other PhD and M.Sc postgraduate students who benefit from the Chair through facilities provided for research work. The number of students and the time period depend on the research work that should be related to activities undertaken by UESD. Concerning the issue of gender the Chair affects the scientific and social life of women in Upper Egypt by providing job opportunities for women. During the reporting period at least 8 women are appointed by UESD (host chair institution) working on administration, research and secretarial work and many others have been trained enabling them to obtain better jobs. Three female post-graduate students working for the Chair were employed by EEAA to work in the Biosphere Reserve and in Aswan branch of EEAA. The Chair initiated the establishment of a non-governmental organization (NGO) which unites women from urban area (Aswan) and Bedouins from Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve. The Women's Development in Wadi Allaqi NGO was successfully established and officially launched in September III. Forthcoming activities All year 2004 Research work in WABR on micro-flora (fungi), monitoring of environment, monitoring the growth of indigenous plants in experimental farm, training of rangers, studies on fauna - Complete management programme, conduct two October workshops January - Should be meeting with Sudanese MAB to discuss April the transboundary reserve - Writing the Annual report on Chair activities March Training programme on biological statistics The British Council, UNESCO, Chair January- 5 th AREN meeting report UNESCO chair - Annual AREN report UNESCO Chair March Allaqi NGO workshop and meeting EEAA, UNESCO - Common project on BBE (biodiversity based Chair 10

11 March education) March Students field work March GIS programme on Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve Training programme and data base The British Council UNESCO April? Programme for exchange student s visit (AREN activities) Together with Dr. Dawud Approximate date April 2004 April NGO workshop EEAA, UNESCO May Water forum, N.Novgorod June UNESCO Ecotechnie Chair meeting, Cane June- July Student s field work in WABR November th annual AREN meeting IV. Development prospects The first long term development prospect is to extend the improving environmental education not only in Egyptian higher education institutions/universities, but also in Arab countries in cooperation with Arab universities who are AREN members. It includes developing the Ecotechnie concept in Egyptian and Arab universities as a tool for sustainable development. Some short term objectives are to prepare the syllabi, organize the common training programme for university students in Arab countries through the AREN network and help in the establishment of Ecotechnie Chairs in Arab Universities. The second long-term development prospect of the Chair is the protection of arid lands environment where most of Arab countries located. In particular Biosphere Reserve could be used as demonstration tool for sustainable use of natural resources and improving the income of indigenous people living in and in close proximity to the Biosphere Reserve. Also Biosphere Reserve should be used for improving the environmental education and use this site for field training programme (school, under and post graduate studies at higher education level) The short term objective is to complete and implement the management programme for Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve (including establishment of education centre), and establish transboundary (Sudan Egypt) Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve. The final development prospect is to be an integral part of, and play an increasing role in the relevant networks of Biosphere Reserves, UNITWIN, UNESCO Chairs etc. AREN has been officially established in the reporting year where the Chair plays the role of the focal point and co-ordinator. 11