🇪🇬EgyptNorth Africa
Egypt to expand participatory budgeting nationwide after successful pilot programs
via Egypt Today1 min read
Egypt is preparing to implement its participatory budgeting model across all governorates, following successful pilot programs in Beni Suef, Fayoum, and Alexandria. Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk stated that this initiative aims to present state budget execution from the perspective of service beneficiaries, emphasizing that the national budget focuses on services and development programs that directly impact citizens. He added that citizen involvement improves spending efficiency, defines local priorities in health, education, and economic empowerment, and enhances transparency and public awareness of fiscal policy. Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom described this as a step towards modernizing public finance management and performance-based budgeting, enabling citizens to identify development gaps and propose solutions. Officials noted that youth contributions in Beni Suef have already led to practical interventions in health, education, social protection, and local development. UNICEF representative Natalie Meyer highlighted that collaboration between institutions and communities can lead to more effective public spending, underscoring the importance of investing in children for Egypt's future. The government plans to expand the model to additional governorates in the next phase.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
United Media Services has expressed its condolences following the death of artist and composer Hany Shenouda. He is remembered for his creative contributions and enduring works that enriched the arts in Egypt and the Arab world. Shenouda was seen as a symbol of meaningful art and an authentic voice reflecting Egyptian society, leaving behind a lasting artistic legacy.
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Must ReadRenowned Egyptian composer, arranger, and musician Hany Shenouda has passed away at the age of 83. His final musical project was a reimagined version of "Bahlam Ma’ak" "I Dream with You", originally composed by him and performed by Nagat El Saghira. Born in Tanta in 1943, Shenouda founded the iconic Egyptian band El Masryeen, an idea he credited to Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz. Shenouda is recognized for launching the career of Mohamed Mounir, composing and arranging his first two albums. He also played a pivotal role in discovering Amr Diab, encouraging him to move to Cairo and introducing him to audiences through his debut album "Ya Tareeq," for which he composed four tracks and arranged the entire record. Throughout his career, Shenouda composed timeless songs for Nagat El Saghira and Faiza Ahmed, and arranged celebrated songs like "Donia Gedida." He also composed scores for iconic Egyptian films, including "Al Mashbooh" and "Al Hareef."