EFG-Hermes, the leading regional investment bank, is taking part in the United Nations Development Programme's Sailing the Nile initiative.

It is part of EFG-Hermes plans to work toward the realisation of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

EFG-Hermes Holding is funding awareness campaigns aimed at educating the Egyptian populace about the importance of achieving the goals set by MDG during the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000.

The goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/Malaria and other diseases; ensuring  environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development. Among other sponsors of the initiative are Vodafone and Mansour Group.

Through the Sailing the Nile initiative - a collaboration between the United Nations, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood and the Youth Association for Population and Development - the eight feluccas, each representing one of the MDG's, will sail from Aswan to Cairo over 45 days beginning October 17, stopping at Aswan, Luxor, Qena, Souhag, Assiut, Minya, Beni Suef and Cairo.

"We are always willing to consider new projects and collaborations, for we firmly believe that Corporate Social Responsibility is not only relevant but crucial to social and economic development," said chairman and CEO of EFG-Hermes Yasser El-Mallawany.

During the 45 day journey from Aswan to Cairo, a three-day event will take place in every city stopped at along the way to celebrate human rights, development and volunteerism.

Targeting mainly youth and children in upper Egypt, the initiative incorporates a variety of cultural and artistic activities to attract youth to volunteer for development. Workshops and seminars will be held to further promote understanding of the goals.

The launch of Sailing the Nile, on October 17, coincides with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which will be celebrated with Stand Up and Speak Out. It will also coincide with the International Day Against Violence Against Women, which will be celebrated in Assiut on November 25 and the International Day Against HIV/AIDS, to be celebrated in Minya on December 1.

In addition, the International Human Rights Day and the International Volunteers Day will be celebrated on December 10 in Cairo.
The initiative will allow for the local and national exchange of successful experiences related to achieving the 8 MDGs among UN project staff, NGOs, private sector, government and the community.- TradeArabia News Service