Floating Forward Kick-off Workshop

The kick-off workshop for the "Floating Forward" project took place from July 29th to 30th, 2023, organized by the Goethe-Institut Cairo and the environmental organization VeryNile in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Education. The workshop aimed to connect and network participants from the fields of education, environmental protection, and civil society. Simultaneously, environmental issues and potential solutions were discussed. 
A total of 31 individuals participated, including representatives from the Egyptian Ministry of Education, librarians from the Library of Alexandria, local environmental organizations, and members of civil society. Participants came from various Egyptian cities such as Alexandria, Cairo, Aswan, Qina, Monofia, and Port Said. 
After an open call for workshop participation, the top 10 volunteers were selected based on their passion for environmental issues and their ideas for implementing project concepts in their diverse communities. Additionally, the Ministry of Education selected 15 teachers from various disciplines to participate in these workshops, with the goal of passing on their experiences and knowledge to their students. 
The first day of the workshop took place at the VeryNile Hub on Qursaya Island in the Nile. Participants had the opportunity to explore both the work of VeryNile and each other while collectively exploring the island. An ice-breaker included a mini-clean-up of the Nile, followed by an introduction to the "Women of Qursaya" initiative and its collaboration with VeryNile. The day concluded with a shared lunch prepared by Om Nada and her "Community Kitchen." 
After the lunch break, participants gained insights into local projects by VeryNile to emphasize the importance of on-site environmental protection solutions. Subsequently, they reflected on environmental issues in their own communities and living environments, as well as potential solutions, using interactive activities. The day ended with a final reflection on the experiences and insights that influenced their environmental awareness. 
On the second day, participants gathered at the Goethe-Institut in Doqqi, building on the ice-breaker activities from the previous day. After a brief reflection, the main part of the day started with a presentation about the Nile, its biodiversity, and its significance in people's daily lives. The 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) were introduced, emphasizing that recycling alone is not an ideal solution. Participants explored ways to integrate reduced consumption and the reuse of consumer goods into their daily lives. 
Following a brief introduction to various types of waste and their biodegradability, the next section of the workshop involved developing realistic solutions for environmental problems and sketching an ideal living environment after their implementation. The final section considered economic aspects, presenting possibilities and ideas on how social, economic, and environmentally friendly needs can be harmonized. 
The workshop concluded with a small closing ceremony where participants received certificates of participation and a farewell gift from the Goethe-Institut.