Inauguration Ceremony of Ms. Laila Eloui as #Unite4Heritage” Envoy
Cairo, 22nd November 2015
As part of the joint cooperation between the UNESCO Cairo Office, the Ministry of Antiquities and the Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO, an inauguration event will take place today to award Ms. Laila Eloui as Unite4Heritage Campaign Envoy.
The campaign focuses primarily on Arab countries, in response to the unprecedented attacks on the region’s cultural diversity and heritage. The #Unite4Heritage campaign uses the power of social networks to create a global movement with young people for them to raise their voice and take action for the safeguarding of heritage under threat and to provide a counter-narrative to sectarian propaganda in Arab Countries and elsewhere.
After its launch from Baghdad University in March 2015, the #Unite4Heritage campaign was launched in Egypt by the UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on 13 May 2015, from the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, which was dramatically damaged by the car bombing that exploded on 24 January 2014 in Port Said Street.
The inauguration event will be attended by Mr Getachew Engida, UNESCO's Deputy Director-General, H.E. Prof. Mamdouh El-Damaty, Minister of Antiquities, and Dr. Ghaith Fariz, Director of UNESCO Cairo Office, in addition to representatives of the international community in Egypt, cooperation agencies and national cultural institutions. National and international news agencies will also join the event which will be presented by Dr. Ibrahim El-Kerdany.
Today’s event coincides with the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2249 (2015) on the 20th of November, unequivocally condemning the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Da’esh on 26 June in Sousse, on 10 October in Ankara, on 31 October over the Sinaï Peninsula, on 12 November in Beirut and on 13 November in Paris, among others. The Resolution also condemned the widespread destruction and looting of cultural heritage and violations for which perpetrators shall be held accountable.
“I am honored” - Ms. Eloui says – of the title granted by UNESCO as the Envoy for the #Unite4Heritage Campaign and would like to call upon all Egyptian to join us in the campaign, and promote respect for cultural heritage and its inclusive values for us, our past and future generations, and stand against destruction, vandalism and neglect of our shared heritage!
Ms. Laila Eloui is expected to participate in many upcoming scheduled events and activities within the #Unite4Heritage Campaign, among which a public stand at the pyramids on the 3rd of December with more than 1500 people from children, youth, officials and media to celebrate and stand against destruction of heritage.
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