I have accepted an invitation for the Egyptian GNU/Linux User Group to take part in workshop titled "Youth Initiatives in Egypt". The invitation was originally sent to Alaa Abd El-Fattah, he will not be able to attend the workshop due to his exams. The workshop is organized by The Arab Education Forum (skip flash) in collaboration with the Development Support Center, it will take part in the Development Support Center on the 16th of June.

The goal of the workshop is to engage youth in a discussion about youth led initiatives in Egypt and the elements that could strengthen such initiatives. The topics for discussion will be:

1. What represents an initiative?
2. What is volunteerism and how do we promote it?
3. What are the values and principles of youth initiatives and how do these evolve with time?

I will be discussing our intitiatives from the small past events we have taken part in. The MayInstallFest and how things changed after it. Our FOSS philosophy and all the experiences we had in the context of volunteering and intiative taking. The discussions will be held in a non formal way within small discussion groups.

Similar confrences will be held in six arab countries, each discussing their local angle of the topic. Hopefully, a pan arab confrence will be held to exchange ideas between youth of arab nations.

The following is a list of invited groups and/or organizations (excluding us):

Alexandria:

1. El Salam for Development - young volunteers
2. Friends of the Environment Association - youth club
3. Gudran
4. Sidi Gaber Association

Minya:

1. El Khashaba Association
2. Jesuits and Brothers Association
3. Rowad Al Thakafa Association
4. Salama Moussa
5. Save the Children, Safe Spaces
6. Tanweer

Cairo:

1. Arab Education Forum
2. Arab Office for Youth and Environment - young volunteers
3. Arab Learning Initiative
4. Arab Dev Project
5. AUC student clubs
6. Caritas
7. CID
8. Development Support Center
9. Egyptian Association for Comprehensive Development
10. Egyptian Youth Network
11. El Warsha
12. Fathet Kheir
13. General Association for Youth Development
14. Maan Foundation for youth development
15. Nahdet El Mahroussa
16. NGO Coalition for the Rights of the Child
17. Ressala
18. Riyad group - young volunteers
19. Shehab Center
20. Upper Egypt Association
21. Youth Association for Population and Development

For more information about the Arab Education Forum visit http://www.almoultaqa.com and for more information about youth initiatives in the Arab world http://www.qalbelumur.com