A Call for Action‏

If there is one project we as AFICS, can champion, and which I believe would have a mammoth impact on Egypt's wellbeing from every respect despite its mundane property, is no more no less that undertaking a huge campaign for WASTE MANAGEMENT that would mobilize the state, NGOs, the media, the private sector, the National Council for Human Rights (at least for the right to live in a dignified environment) youth, women, the military and the police as well as the UN system. This is because despite the many efforts done by civil society organizations, despite the fact that we have a full fledge governmental body to deal with environment, we have a major problem in having our streets without garbage, our buildings (outside flats) without filth; our water without waste (despite of its being the source of life, and if things will go on the way they are, it will be the source of premature death, as it is now the source of disease). What spurred this sudden awakening is that since killing of swines to prevent H1N1 took place, garbage collectors have no longer incentives to collect garbage, and hence garbage in the streets has augmented, dramatically, let alone water pollution. Let us use the month of Ramadan to launch a national campaign that rejects acceptance to live surrounded by garbage and water polluted. Let us succeed. If you feel, as I do, the shame and disgust I have to walk in streets full of garbage (though I even have the privilege to live in Zamalek), react by sending back your name and contact this would mean you are ready to take part in this campaign and we can take it from there. I hope that this email becomes a chain that, using facebook (I dont know how to use it) or any other way to reach decision makers, and people everywhere in Egypt makes us refuse the unacceptable and ACT. If there is no reaction to this call for action, then may be we deserve where we are.

Seheir Kansouh

Development Practitioner

UNDP Policy Adviser,retired

Founder and CEO Beyond Public Policy Quarterly