Ahmed El-Hawary is the founder of Bashkatib and a journalist for the newspaper Al Masry Al Youm. Bashkatib is an organization that provides opportunities for Egyptian youth ages 12 to 17 to write and produce local news publications.
El-Hawary ran a series of workshops in Ard El-Lewa last year, and taught local youngsters basic journalistic skills, which included reporting and photography; and he helped to develop their ability to think critically and understand the ethics of media. The participants were able to develop a news publication that dealt with issues in their local area like poverty, their environment, and local charities.
El-Hawary plans to conduct more workshops later this summer with the aim of developing a more connected generation of journalists that are aware of the importance of reporting news accurately.
The Bashkatib offices are also a space for photo exhibitions taken by the workshop students in order to boost their confidence and depict what they see in their neighborhoods on a daily basis.
El-Hawary aims at empowering the Egyptian youth in order to express themselves in a country where revolution and political change is rampant. After all, the youth will inherit the world, and it is time for them to take part in the changes that will affect their future.
For more info – Bashkatib News
