iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is the World's Largest Non-Profit Global Network that enables young people to use the Internet and other new technologies to engage in collaborative educational projects that both enhance learning and make a difference in the world. Established in 1988 as a pioneering online program among schools in the the Soviet Union and the United States, iEARN is now active in more than 26,000 schools and youth organizations in 130 countries. Read more ...
iEARN Egypt’s 7th Annual Local Conference 2011
On Saturday, the 9th of April 2011, iEARN Egypt’s 7th Annual Local Conference took place in Future Tech. Schools, Cairo. Around 150 participants attended the conference, all from different Egyptian governorates.
The aim of the conference was to gather all of iEARNers, students and teachers, and let them present their projects whether they worked on Students Unlimited, MDGs or YouthCaN in order to share their knowledge and learn from others' experience.
The conference started with the Opening Ceremony which was initiated by Dr.Dalia Khalil ; E-era director. Followed by Dr. Hassan El-Kalla’s Representative, CEO of Future Tech Schools. Ending the ceremony by an amazing video “Story of Success”, documenting all the hardwork of the past 10 years in iEARN Egypt’s history. It brought back great memories; most of us were almost in tears yet extremely enthusiastic for the day ahead!
Afterwards, participants had a 10-minute break until Plenary Sessions start which included a lecture by Dr. Khawla Mattar, director of UNIC. Then, Dr. Hazem Fahmy, Assist. Country Director at CARE Egypt gave his speech followed by a presentation by Mr. Elgohary Helal, senior English teacher with Ahmad Mamdouh Kamal, iEARN Alumni about Students Unlimited Project.
Then, participants were given a 30-minute Break during which they got the opportunity to interact with others and socialize.
Next, it’s was time for the Students’ Presentation. There was 12 parallel presentations on 4 main projects; MDGs, YouthCan, Student Unlimited and YouthCaN, Students Unlimited and Going Beyond them versus us.
Students were fully-prepared to present their presentations unknowing what they were up against, “Technology”. Well, technical problems anyway. Most of them knew exactly how to carry on, and improvised while a Few got carried away with the mess that occurred, yet soon enough ,with the help of Our IT Team, they got back on track and gave a great example of how to creatively solve a problem!
Some Presentations were based on Facts and researches while others were based on their hand-on experiences. However, they all followed the same technique; they addressed pressing problems in their community, explained their causes and then suggested practical solutions.
After that, There were several activities:
Improvisational theater Show: A Group of students, each from a different school, improvised a comedic play about Education before and after the Revolution. Laughter was all allover the place!
Live Video Conference with YouthCaN-USA: They, too, were in their annual conference which gave the students(at both ends) the opportunity to share with one another what they have done during the conference. Students discussed with one another their projects. Afterwards, the discussion became political as the Students and teachers from USA had some questions concerning Egypt’s Situation right now, after the revolution and the army taking over!
Live Discussion about The situation in Egypt.
Team Work activity.
Later, it was time for the “Closing Ceremony”. Certificates were distributed, everyone applauding one another feeling proud to have taken part in the conference!
Finally, “The Group Photo”, everyone gathered in front of the camera and cheered “VIVA IEARN EGYPPPPT”.
“It was one of the greatest days of my life” said Ehab Ebeid, Participant.