Ministers, scholars plus hundreds young Egyptians met at Bibliotheca Alexandrina on Monday for the start of a three-day conference, which will examine how national identity can be maintained and enhanced in the face of rapid technological change. Egyptian identity digital age
Under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, ‘National Identity: Deep Roots and a Renewed Vision’ gathers together government officials plus academics, and around 450 young people from across Egypt’s governorates, to discuss issues threatening social cohesion and cultural continuity.
The event, which runs until September 23, will conclude with the release of the “Alexandria Document for National Identity,” which will act as a practical guide for future action.
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Hussein Issa stated in his opening speech that the conference marked a qualitative leap forward in the approach towards national identity, which he claimed was a cornerstone of social stability.
He also stated that the government intended to implement a plan based on the proposals presented at the conference with the purpose of securing youth and raising the level of public awareness.
Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, Higher Education Minister and Acting Culture Minister Ayman Ashour described national identity as shaped by family, schooling, media, religious discourse, economic shifts, and increasingly by digital platforms and artificial intelligence.
“Egyptian identity is not just history and heritage,” he said, describing it instead as a living system built on values, belonging, citizenship and knowledge — one that can engage confidently with modern change without losing its roots.
Conference President and Presidential Advisor for Local Development Khaled Fouda outlined several priority areas going forward, including strengthening digital literacy, producing more compelling Egyptian media content, protecting the architectural character of cities, supporting the cultural economy, and building a digital archive to preserve Egyptian folklore and heritage by governorate.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Director Ahmed Zayed framed identity preservation as a collective societal task rooted in education, critical thinking and civic values, adding that the conference seeks practical approaches that turn national identity into a driver of development and creativity.
Sessions through Wednesday will explore the evolution of Egyptian identity, associated risks, and the influence of social media and digital transformation on younger generations. Egypt Journal
