Photography Project with the Youth of Alexandria

  Egypt

Alexandria

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: August 10 - August 24, 2008

Description: The project host is a local association for art and development. This group of artists, including painters, musicians, artists of theatre and cinema, were motivated by what is called "the social responsibility of the artist" to abandon the galleries and go out on the street to make contact with the daily lived reality. Those young artists, with a group of fishermen from El-Max region, and another group interested in development field, all of them came to an agreement on using art as an introduction to development thanks to its active and extending effect on individuals and society as well.

The group sees art as that neutral area which allows the existence of dialogue on different levels. So it tried hard to create a climate of dialogue that allows acceptance of the other, as a first stage to enable us to spread the culture of social peace, through artistic group work.

The idea of this volunteer project is based on providing the opportunity for the youths of the fishermen village in El Max-Alexandria, who are interested in photography, to work with volunteers of different countries in a collective project for 14 days. The participants will use photography as a method to interact and make dialogue with people from all over Alexandria.

The volunteers and the local youths will have the chance to exhibit their work in a different, unique space- which is the "El Dokan" Gallery. El Dokan Gallery is an artistic space open to the street in one of the most famous markets of Alexandria.

There is an extra fee of 100 Euro for participation in this project, intended to support the hosting organization.

Highlights:
Free time: The afternoon program will be full of cultural and artistic activities.

Project location: Alexandria, Egypt

Cost in US$: $290 US

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Egypt Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.