Promoting Civic Engagement: A Project for Egypt

March 11-14, 2015

About Egypt

Egypt is home to a large and active civil society, despite the fact that they are subject to one of the most restricting NGO laws in effect. The Law on Associations, passed in 2002, gives the government the authority to take property, restrict funding, freeze assets and completely shut down a group who isn't in compliance [2]. Although the law is strict, it does not clearly define what groups can or cannot do, causing them to work with hesitation. About 20 NGOs close down daily [1]. Journalists and human rights activists' voices have also been stifled, they even face traveling restrictions.Since the overthrowing of President Mohammed Morsi, NGOs have slowly begun to reappear and restrengthen. Recently, a new draft law was proposed. If approved, CSOs can only be shut down by court orders and criminal penalties will be reduced [2].

About the Program

The IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. Over the last 70 years, the IVLP has developed into the premier professional exchange program in the U.S. and brings over 200 emerging leaders to Jacksonville every year.

[1] http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35886085

[2] http://www.icnl.org/research/monitor/egypt.html