A Sylff fellow at the American University in Cairo, Ms. Ethar El-Katatney, won the Anna Lindh Mediterranean Journalist Award 2009 for her article “Identity Crisis 101,” published in Egypt Today. She is currently pursuing two graduate degrees from the university, an MBA and an MA in television and digital journalism, while traveling and writing as a journalist. Below is her report on the award ceremony of the award that took place on November 5, 2009, in Monaco.

Winners with Prince Albert II of Monaco and André Azoulay, president of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation

(By Ethar El-Katatney)

Receiving an award for doing something you love is one of the most incredible feelings in the world. Receiving an incredibly prestigious award in an incredibly fancy hotel in a ceremony attended by the Prince of Monaco is even more so.

With Mr. Andreu Claret, the Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation

I just won the Economics and Business Award in CNN’s African Journalist of the Year competition last July—the first Egyptian to do so. So to win an award three months later that is just as prestigious—the print category of the Anna Lindh Journalism award—is mind-blowing.

I spent two days before the ceremony exploring Monaco and the Cote d’Azur, visiting some of most beautiful places I’ve ever had the chance to travel to. But although I had time to reflect upon the upcoming ceremony, it was more incredible than anything I could have imagined. To begin with, it was at the Hermitage hotel—a hotel I’d seen while I trooped around the casino square several times. A seriously elegant, lavish, and intimidating hotel. In the ballroom I was taken aback to see that all the seats were full. When I inquired who was attending I was told many were ambassadors. It was then I suddenly realized that I was going to go up there in front of people who hadn’t even read my article, and that they would be judging me based on what I said. And that I was going to be representing my gender, country, and faith. No pressure.

Giving a speech

But I took a deep breath, went up to get my award, said my piece, and thankfully the audience seemed to like it.

I told them that the idea for my article, "Identity Crisis 101", initially came out of my own experiences. I was born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Egypt, and educated in western schools. Consequently, the way I look at my culture and society is different. So from there I thought: if I, who wasn’t even a ‘real’ halfie, had difficulties integrating in Egyptian society, what about Egyptians who are raised abroad? Or have a non-Egyptian parent? What difficulties do they face? What advantages do they have over normal Egyptians? And that was my story. Listening to the other winners talk about their stories was so very inspiring. As was meeting the Prince and having him congratulate us. After the ceremony came a TV interview and then a dizzying amount of praise and congratulations. It’s such a heady feeling. People tell you you’re so incredible, poised, articulate, amazing, you’re only 22?! etc., and part of you is staggered, going “you have me confused with someone else,” but another part is elated at getting recognition. I had directors, CEOs and ambassadors shower praise upon me. Women, old men, young guys. I don’t think I’m ever going to forget having four French college students surround me and hang onto my every word. They told me they managed to get tickets to attend, how amazed they were, how I inspired them, and asked me for advice. Someone told me my speech made her cry. The editor of the Financial Times told me my story could grace the pages of any news outlet in the world.

With other winners

It was a whirlwind couple of hours. The thing that’s hitting me now is what you don’t realize when you’re dreaming of success: that more success is great, but it’s also bad, in a sense. Success means you have to work even harder. It means more people are looking at you. Expecting more of you. Success means that you put even higher goals for yourself. It means I want to work even harder. I look around at my life and I am so, so grateful. I just hope I can live up to what people think of me. This was an amazing experience. Elhamdulela.

Ethar’s article "Identity Crisis 101": click here

Ethar’s full archive, click here

When questioned by his students and colleagues as to why the international university had to be located in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, a rural area enclosed by mountains and ocean on the island of Kyushu—the most southwestern of the four main islands of Japan—difficult to associate with the concept of “internationalization,” Dr. Monte Cassim,

APU Campus in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

President of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Japan, made his first pledge, responding then with conviction that, “I will bring the world to the feet of our students.” He did indeed: world-renowned people including Nobel Prize laureates, heads of state, and captains of industries were invited to provide exemplary speeches to his students. And this time, he has brought another world to them—the world of Sylff. Continue reading →

Sylff connect is a SNS(Social Networking Service) exclusively for the Sylff fellows past and present, to connect and collaborate in the global network.
Let's maximize this cyber connection with Sylff colleagues to empower your research and social activities!

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Sherilyn Siy, Sylff Fellow and member of SYLFF@ADMU(Ateneo de Manila University)

Dear Sylff Friends,

Regarding “Soliciting Contribution for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy in Philippines” project undertaken by the Ateneo de Manila University and coordinated by Sherilyn Siy (Sylff Fellow of the Ateneo) pertaining to the Sylff community, we would like to share with you further update and information. Continue reading →

Sherilyn Siy, Sylff Fellow and member of SYLFF@ADMU(Ateneo de Manila University)

Dear Sylff Friends,

You may have read/seen the news about the devastation wrought by Typhoon Ondoy in Manila.

At one point, it was estimated that 80% of Metro Manila was underwater, although the damage is not limited to Metro Manila alone. Over 250+ were killed and some 400,000 people displaced. Continue reading →

"Eco japan cup" is a public-private partnership event organized jointly by the Environmental Business Women, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japan. Continue reading →

Rozenda Hendrickse, a Sylff fellow of the University of the Western Cape, publishes Governance and Financial Sustainability of NGOs in South Africa. Continue reading →

The Deusto University SYLFF Fellows Association (DUSKE) is organizing the International Forum - Local Initiatives to the Global Crisis in Bilbao, Spain to be held from 10-12 December 2009.
DUSKE now calls for your presentations as well as your participation in the forum. Please click below for more details.

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