Challenges Worldwide
Project Proposal
Host Organisation:
New Hermopolis Foundation
Location:
Egypt
Context, aims, and initial thoughts on methodology and data:
The New Hermopolis (NH) Foundation is an innovative model combining eco-tourism, desert
agriculture, and rural education in arts, culture, and heritage. NH’s overall aim is to boost the
economic and intellectual potential of the local population. In the Minya region where the
centre is located (Upper Egypt), there exists a high number of antiquities thousands of years
old. Despite their great potential, a startling low number of economic opportunities in tourism
or related fields are available for local populations. Tourism activity is low, generally confined
to only a few main hotels, and local populations remain marginalized and under extreme
levels of poverty. These social challenges are influenced by poor education levels—many
lack even the most basic skills—and practically no room for self-expression and creativity.
Founder Mervat Nasser, a pioneering social entrepreneur, witnessed the problems facing
these communities and was inspired to do something. Using the entirety of her life savings,
she built a grand eco-tourism retreat in the middle of the Egyptian desert, centrally located
among the antiquities of the region. The retreat is meant to be used as a model for
sustainable development. It will aim to inspire tourism to the region and provide economic
opportunities for locals through trainings in hospitality skills (with the eventual goal of
instituting a hospitality school). It will also engage in activities for alternative, informal
education in heritage, arts, and culture, particularly for youth. The goal will be to use local
ancient heritage to inspire pride in local populations, and foster creative skills to promote
broader skillsets that can be used for entrepreneurial and economic purposes. Finally, the
centre will be used as a test site for various forms of desert agriculture, aiming to offer
alternative economic outlets in the longer run. Read more at http://www.newhermopolis.org.
Initial ideas on the type of report to be produced:
The New Hermopolis Foundation is in great need of researchers to help develop models with
high social impact and success. It is envisaged that 3 students from different academic
disciplines will engage in research for this organisation in a number of different areas relating
to their work.
This particular project would be suitable to a student studying International Development. NH
requires research on relevant models of a) sustainable eco-tourism and b) arts and cultural
education for low-income populations. These models should then be compared to the New
Hemopolis model and examined for their overall ability to adapt to the local context and
circumstances. In the end, a full report should offer suggestions for a comprehensive model
that can provide the highest level of development impact.
Any additional requirements (e.g. specific skills the student should have)
Students interested in eco-tourism would be well suited to this project, and strong research
skills are a requirement.
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