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Al-Ahram Weekly 10 - 16 February 2000 Issue No. 468 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 10 - 16 February 2000 Issue No. 468
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Profile Travel Books Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters CITATION
The following is the text of Mrs Suzanne Mubarak's citation: "Her Excellency Suzanne Mubarak, Egypt's First Lady, is a distinguished alumna of the American University in Cairo and a humanitarian. Mrs Mubarak received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1977 and her Master's degree in Sociology in 1982 from the American University in Cairo. The title of her MA thesis was Social Action Research in Urban Egypt: A case Study of Primary School Upgrading in Boulaq. Her entire career has exemplified the application of knowledge to improving social welfare.
"Mrs Mubarak started her voluntary work while still a student at AUC when she initiated the Integrated Care Society for School Children in 1977. Now the scope of her work has expanded to include cultural activities, such as libraries, literacy programmes and services for disabled children throughout the nation.
"In her MA thesis, Mrs Mubarak learned in depth about the problems in schools and education. She made the system of education a high priority and developed determined efforts to improve its environment and capabilities. With full appreciation of the role of education in modernising values and minds, she has worked tirelessly to lobby the government, solicit the business community for building new schools, improve existing ones and enhance instruction.
"Mrs Mubarak has put all her personal influence and knowledge acquired through formal academic education to serve the people of Egypt. She focused on the children of Egypt and launched and sustained a Decade for the Welfare of the Egyptian Child (1989-1999). Due to her unyielding determination, she was able to carve a place on the national agenda for the destitute, the disabled and the elderly. She also masterfully spearheaded a social movement for the empowerment and the advancement of women. Mrs Mubarak followed up on each of the issues she embraced until the necessary action was undertaken.
"Mrs Mubarak is president of the Advisory Board of the National Council on Childhood and Motherhood and initiator of the Egyptian Unified Law on the Rights of the Child, which is a comprehensive bill for rights of children. She is also president of the Red Crescent in Egypt and the Egyptian section of the International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY). She is the founder and chairperson of several non-governmental organisations including the Integrated Care Society, The Egyptian Society for Childhood and Development and the Children's Library. As part of her interest in the welfare of children, Mrs Mubarak founded the Friends of the Children's Library, the Egyptian Children's Literature Centre for Documentation, Research and Information and the National History Museum for Children in Egypt. Her "Reading for All" campaign was recognised by UNESCO as a model to be followed by developing countries. She is also president of the UNESCO jury for the Prize of Tolerance in Literature for Children and Youngsters.
"HE Suzanne Mubarak has always been a faithful and active supporter of AUC. She headed the Alumni Council for eight years and was the keynote speaker at the 75th anniversary celebrations in 1994 and the 1998 Model United Nations.
"... She is a model for all AUC graduates to follow.
"Upon the recommendation of the faculty and by the authority of the Board of Trustees, the American University confers upon Her Excellency Suzanne Mubarak the degree of Humane Letters, honoris causa, with all the rights and privileges thereto appertaining."
