Serageldin in Spain for the Alliance of Civilizations

In support of a call by Prime Minister José Luis Rodr?guez Zapatero of Spain, the UN Secretary-General launched an initiative for an “Alliance of Civilizations”, co-sponsored by the Prime Ministers of Spain and Turkey.

Cultural Openness, Creativity and Business

- Cairo

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Cultural Openness, Creativity and Business” in Cairo.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “The Aga Khan Award for Architecture” at the Library of Alexandria.

BA at WSIS

- WSIS, Tunis

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “BA at the World Summit on the Information Society” at WSIS in Tunis.

Message from the UN Secretary-General on the Launch of the Arab Info Mall

The Arab Info. Mall was officially launched during the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), with messages by Kofi Anan, UN Secretary-General, Tarek Kamel, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Egypt and Ismail Serageldin, Director, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Chairman of the Arab Reform Forum.

BA at Phase II of the WSIS in Tunis

Phase II of the World Summit on the Information Society welcomed more than 16,000 delegates from 176 countries in Tunis to focus on forging strategies to improve the accessibility and affordability of information and communication technologies. The BA and Egypt’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology participated jointly at the event.

The Pasha Remembered

To mark the bicentennial of Mohamed Ali Pasha’s reign over Egypt, the BA hosted “Mohamed Ali and the World”; a conference to celebrate the historic achievements of the man who the world came to know as the father of modern Egypt. At the closing session, Ismail Serageldin spoke of Ali as a visionary and highlighted many of his worthy achievements in Egypt and the Arab world.

Cross Border Education: A Necessity not a Luxury

- Alexandria - IAU Meeting

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Cross Border Education: A Necessity not a Luxury” at the BA.

Dream TV Airs Two-hour-long Interview with Serageldin

In an exclusive interview on Dream TV, Ismail Serageldin discussed a variety of topics over a period of two hours on the evening show “Al Ashera Masaa”. The diverse topics covered from childhood memories to his present post as the Director of the Library of Alexandria.

Serageldin Shines Light on Reform Issues at the Library of Congress

Ismail Serageldin, well-known to Washingtonians as a former World Bank Vice President and leader of its civil society programs, delivered a presentation about reform in Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean at the Library of Congress.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina: A center for Learning, A Catalyst for Action

- Library of Congress, Washington DC

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Bibliotheca Alexandrina: A center for Learning, A Catalyst for Action” at the Library of Congress, Washington DC.

STS Plenary Session Summation

- Speech at Plenary Session “Summaries from Concurrent Sessions”, Kyoto, Japan

We devoted ourselves to a better understanding of that loom. How to organize data so that it becomes information, how to link and interpret it so that we gain knowledge, which hopefully, when refined in the crucible of experience, with insight and reflection, may lead us to wisdom. The wisdom to create that better world to which we are all committed.

A Gripping Summation at the Close of the Second STS Forum

Ismail Serageldin delivered an eloquent summary on IT’s impact on human society at the close of the second STS forum to a large audience of leading scientists, policymakers, business executives and opinion leaders from around the globe in Kyoto at the second annual meeting of the STS forum.

JCCME Celebrates 30th Anniversary at Annual Conference

Ismail Serageldin delivered the key-note address at a commemorative conference that marked the 30th anniversary of the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME).

Japan and the Arab World: A New Strategic Alliance

- Vienna, Austria

Half a world away, half a lifetime ago, President John F. Kennedy spoke of world peace, he said:

“For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

Tomorrow’s Digital Libraries: Preserving Culture and Disseminating Knowledge

- Oslo

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Tomorrow’s Digital Libraries: Preserving Culture and Disseminating Knowledge” in Oslo.

Challenging Censorship, Defending Freedom

- Opening Remarks Delivered at IFLA/FAIFE Conference, Oslo, Norway

I am honored to be here with you today in this event that celebrates that greatest of human virtues: the respect for free expression. Without it we cannot survive on this planet speaking hundreds of tongues, holding a wide range of political opinions and displaying a bewildering array of social attitudes and cultural attributes.

Post Einstein: Redefining Reality

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Post Einstein: Redefining Reality” at the BA.

Challenges In Global Agriculture

- MS Swaminathan Foundation, Chennai

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Challenges In Global Agriculture” at the MS Swaminathan Foundation, Chennai.

Personal Reminiscences by Serageldin at Swaminathan’s 80th Birthday

Eminent scientists gathered in Chennai to celebrate the 80th birthday of agricultural scientist Professor M.S. Swaminathan. In honor of the occasion, the Swaminathan Research Foundation hosted an international conference on Human Centered Sustainable Development Paradigm.

A Minute of Silence in Sharm El Sheikh

H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak commemorated a peace vigil in sympathy with the recent bombings in Sharm El Sheikh. Mrs. Mubarak’s message was one of solidarity and sympathy with families who lost loved ones in the attack and of calling for an end to terror and a commitment to peace.

Celebrating Teamwork at BA Managerial Retreat

Ismail Serageldin conducted a successful two-day offsite retreat gathering senior and junior BA managers. The main theme of the retreat was Teambuilding.

Second Task Group Meeting of the Japan/Arab Dialogue Forum

As a continuation of the first meeting of March 2005, members of the task group of the Japan/Arab Dialogue convened to further address issues relating to the situation in Iraq and Palestine.

Governance, Competitiveness and the African Future

- Alexandria, Egypt

I have had the privilege of being friends with Dunstan Wai almost from the first day I met him. We were colleagues at the World Bank, but really started working in earnest together after the reorganization of 1987 brought the Africa region under the leadership of Kim Jaycox, with Dunstan as his assistant and myself as a director for a number of countries in west and central Africa.

Back at Hypothesis

Ismail Serageldin was back at Hypothesis to participate in a panel on the New Frontiers of Innovation. Serageldin had previously joined Nobel Laureates at Hypothesis in March of 2000 to deliver the opening address at an event held under the theme...

At the Einstein Conference Ancient Arab Scholars Are in Demand

At the BA Einstein conference, the three quotations used by Ismail Serageldin in his opening plenary address elicited much interest. They are reproduced here along with a short bio about Ibn Al-Nafis and Ibn Al-Haytham.

Why Einstein?

- Alexandria

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Why Einstein?” at the BA.

TWAS Arab Regional Office Launched at the BA

In the midst of another action-packed week at the BA, Ismail Serageldin and Dr. Mohamed Hassan welcomed TWAS members from the Arab region to the launch of the Arab Regional Office of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS-ARO) at the BA.

Serageldin Gets Second Term

Ismail Serageldin has been re-elected to his second term as Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The BA Board of Trustees unanimously decided to ask Dr. Ismail Serageldin to serve for a second five year term starting in May 2006.

BA Joins DLF

The Board of Trustees of the Digital Library Federation (DLF) today announced that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina has joined the DLF as its first strategic partner from outside the United States or Europe.

Serageldin Joins Nobel Laureates in Petra to Challenge Global Concerns

On the occasion of the inaugural Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates, HM King Abdullah of Jordan and Elie Wiesel hosted an exceptional gathering of Nobel prize-winners and world-renowned figures, among them, Ismail Serageldin, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Hollywood actor and activist Richard Gere.

Promoting a Culture of Peace in Sharm El Sheikh

At the 69th meeting of district 2450 of the Rotary International, Ismail Serageldin put in a stimulating address in which he spoke of the importance of forging peace partnerships and of how Rotary International can help bring about such an initiative.

Partnerships for Peace

- An Address Delivered at the 69^th Meeting of District 2450 of The Rotary International, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

With the eloquent words of HE the first lady still ringing in our ears, and the soaring vista that her vision of a better future has opened for all of us firmly before our eyes, allow me to focus my remarks on the important topic of building partnerships for peace.

Revisiting Corals

Ismail Serageldin enjoyed a well-deserved weekend away in Sharm El-Sheikh to revisit the fascinating corals of the Red Sea. Serageldin is known to be a keen scuba diver and a strong supporter of coral reefs and actions to conserve them.

The Tides of Change: Reflections on Arab Reform

Dag Hammarskjld Centenary Lecture at the BA

In a celebration marking the centenary of Dag Hammarskjld, Ismail Serageldin delivered a memorable speech commemorating the life and work of the late U.N. Secretary General.

The Official Inauguration of the Anna Lindh Foundation in Alexandria

Ismail Serageldin addressed the inaugural ceremony of the Anna Lindh Foundation at the official three-day inauguration event held at the BA under the auspices of H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak.

The Knowledge-based Economy of the Information Age

- Cairo, Egypt

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “The Knowledge-based Economy of the Information Age” in Cairo.

Inauguration of the Anna Lindh Foundation

- Inaugural Ceremony of the Anna Lindh Foundation, Alexandria, Egypt

Arab Competitiveness Takes Center Stage

More than 200 Arab and world business, academic and political figures came together in Doha for a roundtable meeting on Arab competitiveness. The meeting was organized around the release of the World Economic Forum's Arab world competitiveness report.

Speculations on the Future of Water and Food Security

- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Speculations on the Future of Water and Food Security” at the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Reflections on the Future of Water and Food Security

IFPRI welcomed Ismail Serageldin to a Policy Seminar where he shared his insights on the future of water and food security. Serageldin delivered a thoughtful presentation in which he stressed the need for a collaborative approach among science organizations for a systematic attention to water issues.

ESSD Week Brings Serageldin to the World Bank

On a cold and rainy Monday morning, Ismail Serageldin delivered the keynote address at the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Week, at the Headquarters of the World Bank.

Human Security And Sustainable Development

- Washington, DC

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Human Security And Sustainable Development” in Washington, DC.

Serageldin Earns Standing Ovation for Reform Speech

Ismail Serageldin brought his audience to a standing ovation as he delivered a spellbinding speech on Arab reform on the occasion of the inaugural Freeman address.

University of Minnesota Awards Serageldin its Highest Honor

In a celebratory gathering, Ismail Serageldin received a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, from the University of Minnesota for his acknowledged eminence in cultural affairs and public service, in the field of knowledge and scholarship and in recognition of his remarkable contribution to international development.

Three Lectures, One Day - A Great Hit!

Under the auspices of the Freeman Forum and the University of Minnesota, Ismail Serageldin delivered three exceptional lectures over the course of a single day on the occasion of the official inauguration of the Freeman Forum lecture series.

In Memoriam: Dag Hammarskjöld (July 29, 1905-September 18, 1961)

- Alexandria, Egypt

A hundred years ago, Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld was born. The youngest of four sons of Agnes Almquist and Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, prime minister of Sweden, member of the Hague Tribunal, governor of Uppland, chairman of the Board of the Nobel Foundation.

Agricultural Science & Technology: A World Divided?

- University of Minnesota

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “Agricultural Science & Technology: A World Divided?” at the University of Minnesota.

The Digital Future: Producers and consumers in the new Knowledge Economy

- University of Minnesota

Dr. Serageldin delivered this presentation entitled “The Digital Future: Producers and consumers in the new Knowledge Economy” at the University of Minnesota.