Kais Menoufy sees that the campus's Building Bridges initiative is growing within our local and global community. (Courtesy photo)
In this Spotlight
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- "A cultural ambassador uses ties with Arab universities to help forge pact" — Suad Joseph
- "Reflecting on UC Davis' Building Bridges effort toward peace" — Kais Menoufy
- "Partnerships will prepare UC Davis students for global citizenship" — Omnia El Shakry
Reflecting on UC Davis' Building Bridges effort toward peace
On my way back from Egypt, I spent many hours catching up on office work but happily found a few hours to reflect on our journey as well. It's easy and safe to say the trip was successful and to celebrate that success. But what does "successful" mean to us?
Renew old relationships, establish new contacts, open doors, create programs, identify projects, establish action plans, visit historical sites, eat Egyptian food, walk in the streets, meet with the press, shop from the locals, learn more about Egypt and Egyptians today in light of all the challenges in the region, and much more.
For me, all of that translates to "building bridges" between the two countries/regions as a starting point for greater relationships to expand the intention and capacity of peace.
The Building Bridges initiative has taken on a life of its own and is starting to grow within our local and global community.
The recent summit itself was very successful, but nothing was more valuable than the relationships developed and the positive experiences shared by the attendees.
To bring together leaders from the U.S., Egypt, Lebanon and Palestine to discuss collaborative initiatives in education, technology, science and agriculture is a compelling tale to tell and even more profound to experience.
Statistical inventory of activities
If we take a statistical inventory of our activities:
- We spent 5 days working (8 a.m. to 10-11p.m.) and two days traveling (21 hours each way).
- We met with the heads of 11 universities and their delegations (including the BCBCB: Beirut (American University of Beirut), California (University of California), Beirut (Lebanese American University), Cairo (American University of Cairo), Birzeit (Birzeit University).
- We met with 4 ministers, 3 senior executives of the governments with minister status, 3 CEO's, the U.S. ambassador and much more.
- We met old friends and created new relationships. The total number of people we met or that attended our meetings exceeded 250 people. Most of them are very senior in their roles. (This includes our visits and meetings every day, the special dinners, the delegations from the different universities in the consortium and summit.)
- We signed 6 agreements for cooperation.
- We identified initiatives with the BCBCB, the Information Technology Industry Development Agency, a non-profit Egyptian government organization that promotes the interests of national information technology companies, the Agriculture Research Center, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Library of Alexandria.
- We visited historical sites, ate Egyptian food in local restaurants, experienced some of the history, present and the future of Egypt. (We even saw a part of the Egyptian folklore and music.)
In summary, we experienced and accomplished a great deal in a very short time.
‘For me, all of that translates to "building bridges" between the two countries/regions as a starting point for greater relationships to expand the intention and capacity of peace.’
Kais Menoufy
A platform for cultural exchange
Building Bridges was created to provide a platform for cultural exchange, enhanced communications and progressive collaboration between the U.S. and Middle East to expand the space for peace.
The goal is to expand existing exchange programs and create new initiatives where none is currently in place.
With the current programs between UC Davis, the American University in Cairo, the Lebanese American University and the American University in Beirut -- the infrastructure has already been laid out.
The next step is to use this infrastructure to expand beyond just these educational institutions and involve different universities, partners from within the business world and government entities as well.
A mission to build bridges with people
Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef is a true leader with a mission to make UC Davis a leading university in the U.S. and to build bridges worldwide between cultures, countries, schools and more importantly -- people.
It was an honor and a privilege to travel with him and the esteemed UC Davis delegation. The first Building Bridges Summit was a dream come true and yet is still only the first step to a long journey ahead.
I returned with a feeling of excitement and gratitude to be part of this initiative and with pride to be part of a community that enables this progressive action toward collaboration and peaceful relations. I look forward to the continued journey.