Discussions concerning education, youth empowerment, and the consolidation of social values top the agenda for the first day of the Egypt Forum 2026, which kicks off on Monday, October 19.

Under the theme of “Human Development,” three sessions will explore students’ readiness for the future, ways to transform opportunities available to youth into impactful achievements, and the role of various institutions in bridging the gap between social values and societal behavior. The dialogue aims to identify current challenges and establish priorities for action in the coming period.

The first day’s sessions integrate three complementary areas essential to shaping an individual’s character: education as a gateway to acquiring knowledge and skills; youth and sports as a domain for discovering talent and developing capabilities; and culture and the social value system, which influence individual behavior and social interactions.

The session titled “What Are Our Children Learning, and Does It Prepare Them for the Future?” will examine the success of transformations within the education and training system, specifically the shift from merely providing access to education toward ensuring the quality of what students actually learn, alongside their subsequent readiness for university and the labor market.

The session will also address the vision for the next phase, focusing on enhancing the quality of learning, curricula, and assessment methods, as well as teacher training and the development of future-oriented skills.

Furthermore, it will cover the advancement of higher education and the alignment of academic programs, research, and innovation with the needs of the labor market and future jobs, all with the goal of improving educational outcomes and better preparing graduates.

The agenda for the first day then shifts to the topic of youth with a session titled “Youth and Sports: From Accessing Opportunities to Creating Impact.” This session explores the journey of young people, from discovering and accessing opportunities to building their capabilities and transforming their talents and ideas into impactful achievements.

Key themes of the session include the discovery and nurturing of talent, training and professional development, the intersection of sports with creativity and innovation, youth engagement, and the assessment of programs and policies. It also examines ways to develop a more integrated and sustainable ecosystem that ensures youth can access opportunities and translate them into skills, capabilities, achievements, and projects that generate real-world impact.

The first day’s focus on human development concludes with a session titled “Culture and the Social Value System.” This session addresses the gap between social values and societal behavior, explores the underlying causes, and discusses potential interventions to bridge this divide. It also examines the influence of social media on both individual and collective behavior.

The session further explores the roles of the state, as well as religious, cultural, artistic, and educational institutions, in coordination with the family, in fostering shared social values. It looks at how these values are reflected in citizen behavior while identifying gaps in influence and setting priorities for action in the coming period.

The Egypt Forum 2026 will be held from October 19 to 24 in the New Administrative Capital. It aims to create a space for dialogue on development issues and the impact of public policies and development programs on the lives of citizens. Through plenary sessions and specialized discussions, the forum seeks to identify challenges, gaps, and practical priorities for the period ahead.