In a timely parallel with the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, the Nasser International Forum has officially concluded personal interviews for Egyptian applicants seeking to join the fifth cohort of the Gamal Abdel Nasser International Leadership Grant.
This milestone marks the final stage before announcing successful candidates who will participate in the May 2025 edition of the grant—held under the theme: “Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years of Representing the Issues of the Global South.” The initiative enjoys the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
This year’s cohort is set to welcome 150 young global leaders, spanning executive sectors and civil society. From Egypt alone, 215 youth applied—122 males and 93 females—with 75 advancing to the interview round after a rigorous, merit-based selection emphasizing gender equity, geographic inclusivity, and representation of people with disabilities.
Dr. Ragaa Magdy, a fourth-cohort alumna and panelist, praised the transparency of the process, calling it a model for youth empowerment in line with Egypt’s national vision. Echoing her sentiment, Ahmed Mokhtar, also a past participant, highlighted that the interview questions focused on leadership experience, civic engagement, and awareness of key themes like the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South Cooperation.
Salma Tawfik, the grant’s International Marketing Officer, revealed that applicants hail from 93 nationalities across six continents—with East Africa showing the strongest presence after Egypt. The global reach affirms the program’s growing international status and commitment to cultural and gender diversity.
Founder Hassan Ghazaly emphasized that the increasing applicant pool reflects the program’s success as a trusted platform for cultivating next-generation leaders and promoting cross-cultural cooperation—especially timely as the world marks seven decades since Bandung reshaped the voice of the Global South.
The final list of selected Egyptian participants will be announced in the coming weeks.
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