NIGSD Executive Director launches the "Sustainable Arts and Human Development" initiative.

The National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD)- the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development's training arm - launched the "Sustainable Art and Human Development" initiative, in cooperation with the International Forum for Fine Art for Development and several partners.

The initiative is sponsored by H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and in the presence of Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Dr. Sherifa Sherif, Executive Director of NIGSD, and the artist, Randa Fouad, head of the International Forum for Fine Art for Development, and Elena Panova, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Egypt.

During her speech, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, said that linking the idea of fine art with the concept of sustainability and the idea of recycling has multiple environmental dimensions, including that reusing waste helps the continuity and survival of resources, and avoiding pollutants resulting from not recycling those wastes.

These ideas also help communicate with all segments of society, including plastic artists. This is because sustainable art is not only the art of plastic painting but also the way to wear recycled clothes.

 

Cooperation has been made with the Egyptian Clothing Bank and some civil society organizations in this regard, according to Fouad.

All of these initiatives deliver an important societal message stating that belief in good ideas and insistence on implementing them, and the support of many parties for these ideas and assistance in their implementation, work to bring about the desired qualitative shift, which is achieving sustainability.

Dr. Sherifa Sherif emphasized that the implementation of the seventeen goals of sustainable development is a collective responsibility.

 

 

 

She further noted that art has long played a fundamental role in conveying messages of growth, freedom, and creativity. It is integrated and intertwined with the UN 17 SDG goal as art has a transformative power and affects hearts and minds.

By linking the circular economy with the creative industry, Sherif explained the core theme of the "sustainable art and human development" initiative.

Artist Randa Fouad, the founder of the initiative, explained that the initiative aims to support young artists because they are the future of plastic art in Egypt, and also support women through the creative economy and plastic art that depends on recycling solid waste and preserving the environment, by working on training and raising the skills of young people.

The inauguration witnessed the presence of Dr. Mohamed El-Sirry, Head of Mentors Business Community, Haitham Mahran, Founder and Coo of Three60 Degree advertising agency, and Dr. Ahmed Shalaby, CEO and Managing Director of Tatweer Misr.