Egypt’s Ministry of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs announced this week the official launch of the ‘Speak Arabic’/’Etkallem Arabi’ (اتكلم عربي) initiative. The initiative, which was also welcomed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and will form part of its celebration to mark World Arabic Language Day on 18 December, aims to promote Arabic language and Egyptian culture and identity, primarily to and among second and third generation Egyptians living abroad. “We are targeting children and youth who have lived abroad their entire lives or moved abroad at a young age,” said Minister of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram to Egyptian Streets. “After the initiative was initially announced, we found that this initiative will also benefit children and youth living in Egypt as well, particularly those who are enrolled in international schools who often communicate in foreign languages and connect to foreign cultures.” The initiative, which Makram hopes will help connect Egyptians living abroad to Egypt, consists of three initial stages. “The first stage of the initiative is to raise awareness. Importantly, raising awareness of what it would mean to lose the Arabic language…
Speak Arabic: Egypt Launches Initiative Promoting Arabic Language and Egyptian Culture
December 17, 2020
