Count_libraries_in_transcript.docx

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Count libraries In!
Over the past years, libraries across the world have paused to reflect and recommit
to a better climate future.
Libraries are natural institutions in which to turn this commitment into action, as
public spaces, as well as champions for access to information and lifelong learning,
libraries are well placed within their communities to be hubs and to have a role in
Action for climate empowerment. Libraries are enablers and drivers of sustainable
development.
In the next slides, I'll explore examples of what public libraries in Egypt are
already doing, and who they have supported the six elements of Action for climate
empowerment through their activities and opportunities for future engagement
1. Education
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in cooperation with Senghor University target
francophone students and those who are studying French as a second language, two
workshops were conducting today and are tailored to increase the students’
environmental awareness and the understanding of changes in the climate and its
impact on the quality of life in general, and our role as active members of society
towards environmental issues.
one on the arts and one on games
2. Public awareness
This program features activities and events dedicated to raise public awareness and
inspiring action.
Cooperation with the Greater Cairo Water Company (GCWC)
• Organizing awareness programs
• Educating young people about environmental issues (optimal use of drinking
water and reducing its surplus)

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• Organizing regular workshop
Cooperation with the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater
• Organizing series of workshops
• Visual shows and educational competitions through games and a puppet
theater.
panel discussions and information through storytelling workshops and puppet
theatres, as well as competitions And games
World Environment Day
• Bibliotheca Alexandria in cooperation with Greater Cairo Public Library; the
Climate Specific Federation, the Federation of Civil Associations and
Institutions for Climate, the Egyptian Library Association
The seminar tackles climate changes, their impact on agriculture and livestock
production, and the means to address them. It also discusses the methods of
rationalizing water consumption, and examines the role of artificial intelligence
and civil society organizations in addressing climate changes, with the aim of
achieving the goals of sustainable development and Egypt’s vision 2030.
Towards a promising environmentally friendly childhood
Misr Public Library System (MPL) in cooperation with the Faculty of Early
Childhood Education, Cairo University, which is concerned with educating
ordinary children and people with special needs, an initiative entitled "Towards a
promising environmentally friendly childhood." The initiative includes several
activities:
The first event: workshops conducted by teachers with ordinary children and
people with special needs on origami, paper crafts and recycling

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The second event: held in cooperation with Rotary Egypt, they carry out
agricultural activities.
The third event: includes a variety of activities that the teachers carry out with the
children, such as the puppet theater and Montessori activities on rationalizing the
consumption of energy, water and electricity, preserving the environment from
pollution, and making signs and posters that encourage concern for the
environment.
3. Training
Different training were provided to librarians and to students on environmental
issues and activities
4. Public participation
The Minister of Social Solidarity Launches COP27 Volunteer Program
from the BA
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina witnessed the launching of the volunteer program of
the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), Dr. Nevine El-Kabbaj,
Minister of Social Solidarity, addressed the volunteers via video conference during
their gathering at the Library. and discussed the Ministry’s efforts in preparing
around 1300 volunteers to organize the Climate Change Conference.
Let's be green:
Maadi Public Library in Cooperation with the U.S Embassy in Cairo
Environmental activities within the framework of projects for ages from 14 to 18
years, where each team works on a project that represents one of the environmental
issues, including:
 Air pollution and climate change; Deforestation; Ozone layer depletion;
Water pollution; Radioactive contamination
Trying to find solutions for these activities.

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“Alexandria Climathon for Youth” at the BA
The BA Sustainable Development Studies, Youth Capacity Building, and African
Relations Support Program organized “Alexandria Climathon for Youth”
competition. “Climathon” is an international competition held in several countries
around the world through EIT Climate-KIC, which aims at raising the awareness of
of urban residents about climate changes. The competition is an opportunity for
young people to participate in developing ideas that address local climate
challenges. The activities of “Climathon” are held internationally on the same date
in hundreds of cities, and are supported by local organizers.
This year’s competition was held in several cities across Egypt, as part of the
preparations for the United Nations (COP27). Competitors should make
suggestions and propose creative solutions that can help alleviate the consequences
of climate change in Alexandria.
5. Access to information:
Establishing green corners in public libraries to transform the library’s space into a
greener and more accessible place for children and encourage students to
participate in activities, which grow knowledge of social responsibility and
Promote public access to information on climate change and its effects
6. International cooperation
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in cooperation with Senghor University organized an
interactive conference (via Zoom) entitled “Yes to Green: Your Right to a
Sustainable Future”.
The conference addressed the role of formal and non-formal education in
promoting literacy on climate change, as well as the theme of green libraries as a
new trend in the world of libraries and information. It will also tackle the projects
that have been classified by the International Federation of Library Associations
and Institutions (IFLA) as green projects set up in African libraries in Senegal and
Kenya.

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Additionally, the conference highlighted some of the environmental disasters
facing the African continent, together with the role of NGOs and universities in
promoting awareness of environmental sustainability. It examined a number of
proposed green solutions to address environmental change.
helps libraries engage their communities in programs and conversations that
address the climate crisis.
Finally, As climate change is a human-caused problem, human-centred solutions
will be key to its successful mitigation. Empowering our communities to develop,
participate in, learn about, and embrace these solutions is a powerful way for
libraries to enable and drive change.
Outcomes: [10 minutes]
All panellists will be asked to give a final reflection on how national
strategies can better facilitate collaboration with the culture sector and why
this is critical.
Culture Sector in general and Libraries in particular use national commitments to
international climate change agreements to inform strategic programs and services
which position them as agents for successful implementation, this commitment is a
powerful lever for obtaining support for libraries. The need to step up efforts has to
be taken into account to involve libraries in national strategies to further and
facilities the collaboration

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Suggested Actions:
1. Note activities, resources, and programmes that your library has carried out
in the past, is currently offering, or is planning that will impact on climate
empowerment (education, training, awareness raising, access to information,
public participation)
2. Identify your National Focal Point for ACE.
3. Check if his or her office or ministerial department has any consultations,
events, or calls for participation in which you can take part in order to share
information on your library’s climate empowerment efforts.
4. If your association is developing its own work on climate change, why not
engage with the Focal Point to see if they can provide support in any way.
To do this, parties are urged to act to develop educational and public awareness
material and strengthen support to national institutions that do this work

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