Egypt's Digital Citizenship Initiative Ranks Among Top 5 Worldwide for Online Safety at WSIS 2026 Awards

The "Digital Citizenship and Online Protection" initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, has achieved a significant international milestone! It was chosen as one of the top five leading global projects in the "Building Confidence and Security in the Use of ICTs" category at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS 2026) Awards, even receiving a certificate of appreciation from the competition. This international recognition came after competing against hundreds of digital projects and initiatives from various countries worldwide. The Egyptian initiative successfully made it to the final list of top projects that help promote the safe and responsible use of technology and support building trust in the digital environment. The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Awards is an international platform under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It aims to honor innovative initiatives and projects in information and communication technology (ICT) fields and their role in achieving sustainable development, seeing wide participation from different countries annually. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology implements the "Digital Citizenship and Online Protection" initiative as part of its efforts to support digital transformation for sustainable development in Egypt. It does this by boosting citizens' awareness of safe and responsible technology use, especially with the rapid spread of modern technologies and AI applications. The initiative is built on a comprehensive system that combines spreading digital awareness, developing technological skills, and promoting responsible online behavior. It also provides digital education tools for families and teachers, contributing to building a more aware digital society capable of handling the challenges of the digital age. Since its launch, the initiative has reached approximately 7,000 beneficiaries across 9 governorates, targeting children, youth, parents, guardians, and teachers. This was achieved through awareness campaigns, interactive workshops, introductory seminars, capacity-building programs, trainer-of-trainers sessions, and collaborative learning pathways. The initiative also includes the "Wa'ey" platform, a knowledge platform designed to spread digital awareness and enhance access to knowledge, especially for children, youth, and those most in need. It offers specialized Arabic content available around the clock and was developed in collaboration with UNICEF and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood. This initiative aligns with the action lines of the World Summit on the Information Society and supports several Sustainable Development Goals. Foremost among these is Goal 4, "Quality Education," by promoting a culture of safe and effective technology use and developing digital learning and critical thinking skills. It also supports Goal 10, "Reduced Inequalities," by helping to bridge the digital divide and empowering various community groups to benefit from the opportunities offered by digital transformation. Being selected among the top global projects at the WSIS 2026 Awards marks a new milestone. It reflects the success of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's efforts in establishing digital citizenship concepts and fostering a secure electronic environment. It also confirms the ability of Egyptian initiatives to compete and achieve an international presence in technology and digital transformation fields.