Sharing Insights for the Future

Navigating a complex world:Insights for the future

- The National Library in Singapore

Reflections on the Future of Europe

- The Institut d’Egypte

Opening Remarks
Delivered at a Panel Discussion held at
The Institut d’Egypte

Serageldin Moderates Discussion on the Future of Europe

Serageldin moderated a meeting held at The Institut d'Egypte in Cairo on the topic of “The Future of Europe”.

President of Egypt Heads Annual BoT Meeting

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi presided over the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) held at the presidential palace in Cairo. The meeting comes at the end of Ismail Serageldin’s term as Director of the BA, and the appointment of its new Director, prominent Egyptian thinker Mostafa El-Feki.

First Session of Annual BoT Meeting Held in Alexandria

The first session of the BA Board of Trustees (BoT) annual meeting was held this morning, where Mostafa El-Feky was welcomed as the newly appointed BA Director and successor of Ismail Serageldin—who has been the founding director of the of the New Library of Alexandria since its inauguration in 2002.

BA Staff Arrange Surprise Birthday Celebration for Serageldin

Bibliotheca Alexandrina staff arranged a surprise celebration at Serageldin’s office in the Library on the occasion of his birthday on the 9th of May. Serageldin was deeply touched by the warm gathering and all the sincere good wishes that surrounded him on this special day.

ICEF Steering Committee Meets in Paris

Serageldin joins the members of Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF) Steering Committee in Paris this week to discuss proposals and plans for the 4th annual ICEF meeting to be held on October 4-5, 2017, in Tokyo.

Discussing the Future of International Relations in Baku

Organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in partnership with the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the 5th Global Baku Forum brought together presidents, former heads of state and governments, prominent politicians and public figures to discuss “The Future of International Relations: Power and Interests” on 16-17 March 2017.

The Challenges of our Current World Order

AfDB Special Panel Meeting in Abidjan

As a member of the African Development Bank (AfDB) “Special Panel on Accelerating the Implementation of the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy”, Serageldin joined a meeting of the Panel held in Abidjan today.

A Full Agenda in Washington DC and New York this Week

This week Serageldin travels to Washington DC and New York for several meetings, including the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Council and Board Meetings, and the International Committee Meeting for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Serageldin meets with President of Greece

Serageldin chaired the board meeting of the Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Vardinoyannis Foundation, headed by Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, whereby the two parties agreed to continue the activities of The Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies for a further five years.

BA Organizes “The World Is Rising Up: United Against Extremism” Conference

BA Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with AfLIA

Serageldin has signed a memorandum of cooperation between the BA and the African Library and Information Association and Institution (AfLIA) in the context of strengthening professional relations between libraries in Africa and the BA and to facilitate their work in conducting research, capacity building in library and information sciences, and publishing.

Dr.Serageldin was awarded an honorary degree by ESERP Business & Law School in Madrid

Exploring Challenges of Democratic Security in a Time of Extremism

A high level three day conference organized by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) together with the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) was held in Cairo under the theme of “Democratic Security in a Time of Extremism and Violence”.

The closing speech at the 'Democratic Security in a Time of Extremism and Violence' conference

- The closing speech at the 'Democratic Security in a Time of Extremism and Violence' conference

We have gathered here to discuss one of the most troubling issues of our times, forced upon democratic societies and decent people everywhere by the rampant extremism and the violence and terrorism that it begat. We sought to bring to bear the wisdom of experienced leaders, the judgment of people of political talent who have been recognized and elected by fellow-citizens, and have proven worthy of their trust, and people who have earned the respect of the international community.

BA Holds Two-day Workshop on Gene Editing

A distinguished group of Egyptian scientists participated in the two-day workshop organized by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) on gene-editing and research methodology.

A tale of Travels to the Seven Kingdoms

 Ismail Serageldin    Download

THE GREATNESS OF DON QUIXOTE

 Ismail Serageldin    Download

A lecture delivered in 2016 in homage to Miguel de Cervantes
On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death
(Repeated at the Library of Alexandria in January 2017)

SHAKESPEARE 400 FOREVER AND A DAY

 Ismail Serageldin    Download

THE BOOK IN ARAB/MUSLIM CIVILIZATION

 Ismail Serageldin    Download

Remarks delivered at the Second International Summit of the Book
On the Theme of “the Book by any Name”
At the opening session “The Meaning of the Book in Human Civilization”.
Singapore – 16 August 2013

TEN BOOKS THAT SHAPED THE WORLD

 Ismail Serageldin    Download

I was recently asked to name the ten books that had most shaped the world. Not the ten books that I personally liked best, but the ten books that most influenced humanity and its march towards progress, and the creation of what we call civilization.
The question is not as simple as one would imagine. For it is easy to draw up a long list of important books, much harder to distill them to only ten. I did, and before I share the list with you, I think that I must explain my selection criteria… So here goes:

Jurji Zaidan: His Contributions to Modern Arab Thought and Literature

 Ismail Serageldin    Download

I am honored to have been invited to join in celebrating the legacy of a remarkable man, who in the short span of half a century, had a profound impact on the culture of his people, the history of his region, and the literature of his language. He helped forge the modern identity of the Arabs, founded the modern mass media there and brought culture to the broad public as he pioneered the use of the novel in Arabic. He was a man of letters who understood and publicized science; a man of the Christian faith who had a profound knowledge of Islam and the history of the Muslim peoples, and helped bring that history to life for generations of Muslims, including myself.

Egypt and the Origins of Medicine

- On Being Inducted as “Academic of Honor” of The Royal European Academy of Doctors, Spain

A Special Address On Being Inducted as “Academic of Honor”
of The Royal European Academy of Doctors

Barcelona, Spain

RAED Awards Serageldin Academic of Honor

Serageldin will today be received as Academic of Honor by the Royal European Academy of Doctors (RAED).

In commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of Cervantes

Serageldin today joins an academic debate at the Royal European Academy of Doctors (RAED), paying tribute to the eminent Spanish writer Cervantes on the occasion of his 400th anniversary

Fighting Violent Extremism

Protecting Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict Zones

BA Holds Workshop on Extremism at Birmingham University

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) is holding a workshop on “Models of Extremism” at Birmingham University on 28-29 November 2016. Serageldin will give the opening speech entitled “Extremism, Violence and Social Change”.

Discussing European Peace

Under the auspices of Mr. Mladen Ivanic, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) held a conference in Sarajevo on 22-23 November entitled “The European Peace. What is the Recipe for a strong Union for All?”.

On the Impact of Technology on Society

The Swiss Center of Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) invited Serageldin to give a keynote speech at their conference entitled “Business Day Innovating to Zero”.

Fifth Summit of the Book: “Words are all we have”

Taking inspiration from eminent Irish writer Samuel Beckett, the theme for this year’s International Summit of the Book was “Words are all we have, the Book: history, knowledge and technology, the Voyage”.

Sofia University Awards Honorary Doctorate to Serageldin

In a ceremony held at the Aula Magna of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Serageldin received the Academic Degree of “Doctor Honoris Causa of the Sofia University”.

A Keynote Speech on the Future Role of Libraries

Celebrating 20 years of the School Libraries Network (Rede de Bibliotecas Escolares ),RBE, which creates and supports school libraries throughout Portugal, the “Forum 20 anos RBE: a story with a future”, was held at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

On the Value of Cultural Inheritance

In the city of Florence, in 1966, the flooding of the river Arno, killed 101 people and damaged or destroyed millions of masterpieces of art and rare books. Marking the 50th anniversary of this tragedy, the Academia Nazionale dei Lincei, held an international conference , under the title of “Florence 1966-2016 – Resilience of Art Cities to Natural Catastrophes: The Role of Academies”.

Discussing Climate Change Strategies

Invited by Japan Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to participate in the third annual meeting of the Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF), Serageldin chaired a session on “Technology Transfer”.

Serageldin in Kyoto for STS Annual Meeting

The Science and Technology for Society (STS) forum annual meeting convened in Kyoto on 2 - 4 October 2016. The forum held concurrent sessions covering a wide range of topics: Earth science, Cities, ICT, Cooperation in science and technology, Science, Technology and Society, Engineering and innovation, Life sciences, Energy and environment.

Talks on Climate Threats: Risks and Resilience

Serageldin chaired the opening plenary session of the eighth meeting of the Regional Action on Climate Change (RACC) held in Kyoto on 1 October 2016.

Sharing insights and Opinions with JST

The Japan Science and Technology (JST) Agency invited Serageldin to participate in the JST Advisory Committee Meeting held in Kyoto on 30 September 2016.

Serageldin Awarded Rings of Tolerance

In a ceremony held at the Old Town Hall of Cologne The European Academy of Sciences and Arts awarded the "Rings of Tolerance", to Ismail Serageldin, Cardinal Péter Erdö and Uri Lubrani.

Interview with Dr.Serageldin in weekly magazine IR

Interview with Dr.Serageldin in the weekly IR magazine, Latvia

Meeting with President of Latvia

In Latvia Serageldin had a meeting with President Raimonds Vejonis at the Riga castle.

BA Hosts Regional Action on Climate Change and Future Earth Experts Meeting

The BA is hosting a meeting experts on Regional Action on Climate Change (RACC) and Future Earth (FE) on 25 and 26 August 2016. The meeting aims to discuss the challenges posed by climate change worldwide, with special focus on its effects on Egypt.

BA Hosts the 12th International Conference on Dryland Development

The BA, in collaboration with the International Drylands Development Commission (IDDC), is hosting the 12th International Conference on Dryland Development from 21 to 24 August, titled “Sustainable Development of Drylands in the Post 2015 World”.

Foundation Alliance of Civilizations Presents Award to Serageldin

At the International School for Young Leaders, Serageldin gave lecture on the topic of “Leadership in the Age of The ICT Revolution and Artificial Intelligence”, which was very well received by his young audience.

Committee on Human Gene Editing holds Fourth Meeting

The Committee on Human Gene Editing: Scientific, Medical and Ethical Considerations held its Consensus Study fourth meeting at the Keck Center of the National Academies of Sciences in Washington DC.

Serageldin Chairs Water Futures and Solutions Meeting

As a world renowned authority on water issues, Serageldin chaired the Water Futures and Solutions 2 nd Scenarios Focus Group Meeting of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) held in Laxenburg, Austria on 19-21 June.

Addressing the Issues of a Globalized World

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) & Julia Reig Foundation held their VIII High-Level Meeting "Global Forces, Local Voices - People Power in a Globalized World" in Andorra on 12-15 June 2016.