Seventh Annual AUC LEAD Student Conference:

April 7, 2011

Seventh Annual AUC LEAD Student Conference:
“Raising Political Awareness, and Encouraging Political Participation”

Cairo – U.S. Ambassador Margaret Scobey addressed the seventh annual Leadership in Education and Development (LEAD) scholarship conference, entitled, “Raising Political Awareness and Encouraging Political Participation,” today at the American University in Cairo.

“Democracy is not just an election. Democracy is building institutions; it is convincing people to work together even when it’s hard, and respecting the rights of those with whom you differ,” Ambassador Scobey said in her address to the students. “Your goal to raise political awareness and encourage and increase political participation is vital in shaping the new Egypt of the future,” she added.

The LEAD program - a partnership among the Ministry of International Cooperation, USAID, and AUC -  provides scholarships to 54 Egyptian public school students, one male and female, from each governorate annually to study at the American University in Cairo (AUC).  The students are selected based on academic achievement, community service, as well as contributions to arts and sports, and through the program, they develop leadership skills to enhance their careers and to participate actively in their communities and in Egypt’s development.