After the recent developments in Egypt, there has been an increased interest in entrepreneurship as well as social development.  Youths in particular are looking for unique opportunities to start their own businesses that can make an impact on Egyptian society and the global community.  President Obama’s recent initiatives to foster entrepreneurship throughout the Middle East make this a shared opportunity for the participants and its supporters.

The Business School at The American University in Cairo (AUC) has agreed to be the program’s partner in Egypt. Its innovative and contemporary approach to education, as well as its focus on entrepreneurship makes it a premier partner. The AUC will host the program in Egypt, provide educators and access to its network where relevant, and assist in selecting participating students.

In the U.S., the program will be under the sponsorship of the Institute for Education, LearnServe International, and Mercator XXI. It will also have affiliations with Philadelphia’s University City Science Center and Lafayette College.  The program will be split between Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA.

Young people from the U.S. and Egypt are working together in multi-cultural teams to develop three socially responsible business ideas, while learning about entrepreneurship and innovation.  The program will be conducted over a six week period of time: two weeks in Egypt, two weeks virtually, and the final two weeks in the U.S. culminating with the three teams presenting their business ideas to potential investors in both Egypt and the U.S.  The program has been designed to represent the face-to-face and virtual realities facing today’s global workforce.

The objective of LearnServe Egypt is to create an opportunity for participants from Egypt and the U.S. to develop their skills and gain practical experience, while making a social contribution to their countries. This program recognizes that one of the best ways to do this in Egypt and the U.S. is through creating awareness about entrepreneurship and a capacity-building program for potential entrepreneurs.