Coptic Evangelicals in Post-Revolution Egypt

Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services

“To what extent has the 2011 Revolution and subsequent political developments affected the mission of CEOSS?”

Roots in 19th century Presbyterian missionary movement◦ Also founded: American University in Cairo

Independent church in 1958

Egypt: 95% Muslim, 4-5% Christian 90% of Egyptian Christians are Coptic Orthodox

Small percentage of Catholics & Protestants

Evangelicals/Presbyterians are a small subset

Established in 1960 to combat illiteracy among poor in Upper Egypt

Today, one of Egypt’s largest domestic development organizations

Three main areas:◦ Intercultural Dialogue and Peace Building◦ Traditional Development Programs◦ Educational Resource Development

“Rights-Based” Development:

◦ Empower poor and marginalized to demand and secure their rights

◦ Participation in decision-making

◦ Lobbying, civil rights training

◦ Emphasize equality and democratic participation of the disabled, women, children, poor

Key areas:

◦ Education Girls from poor families, School enrollment for kids at risk of child labor Re-integrate street children with family members

◦ Health Particular emphasis on women (FGC, maternity care,

etc.) Educate Egyptians about their rights to better care Address malnutrition in children

◦ Housing, Agribusiness, Livestock & Fishing

Economic Trends: 2010 ➔ 2012

◦ Drop in tourism: 4.2m ➔ 1.8m visitors

◦ Drop in foreign investment: $3.5b ➔ $1.4b

◦ Foreign Reserves: $35b ➔ $15.1b (58% drop)

◦ Unemployment: 11.8% ➔ 12.6%

Social Impact

◦ 24% in poverty, 4.5% in extreme poverty 2000: 16.7%

◦ Two-thirds of impoverished families in Upper Egypt

Agriculture

◦ 55% of Egyptian workforce

◦ Generates 13% of GDP

◦ Revolution’s Impact: Increased fuel prices, decreased crop value, difficulty getting produce to market

Ongoing political turmoil

Escalated inter-religious violence◦ Recent street fighting ◦ Coptic Cathedral

attacked April 7th◦ Increased human

rights concerns

Civil Society Organizations were heavily regulated by Mubarak regime before revolution

Post-revolution CSO crackdowns

Civil Society Draft Laws threaten human rights and status of CSOs & NGOs.

President Morsi at CEOSS Pavilion

New NGO Law – March 26, 2013

“Most foreign NGOs in Egypt are, in fact, espionage cells spying on Egypt for the US and Israel … I see this new law as crucial to Egypt for eliminating the spies who have infiltrated the country under the cover of foreign 'NGOs'.“

-Nagi El-Shehabi Democratic Generation Party

New NGO Law

◦ Gives Muslim Brotherhood legal standing as a social service organization

◦ Restricts foreign funding for registered domestic NGOs

◦ NGOs must give detailed accounts of where their funding comes from and how it is spent

◦ Tighter restrictions on all NGOs operating in Egypt

New NGO Law:

“There's no hope for those that work in human rights or criticize the government on human rights to obtain foreign funding,”

Mohamed Zaree,Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

(CIHRS)

New NGO Law - CEOSS Concerns:

◦ Overly restrictive grant approval process

◦ Heavy government oversight and restrictions on how funds are spent

◦ Prison sentences for violations of new NGO law

◦ Suspicion of key foreign funding sources (i.e. Bill and Melinda Gates Fdn., USAID, etc.)

New NGO Law - CEOSS Concerns:◦ CEOSS projects with foreign funding sources :

Cell phone-based job matching service Rights-based programs for people with disabilities Girls’ education (scholarships, transportation, etc.)

Dr. Andrea Zaki, CEOSS General Director:

“I think that this law would be a ‘leap’ in civil society.” (March 25, 2013)

“I am convinced that the picture is not all bleak, and hope develops if everyone carries the responsibility.” (March 26, 2013)

“A general positive shift in mission has come over civil society organizations in Egypt since the revolution began, and CEOSS is not excluded from this.”

“Our focus on development has been shifted to empowerment and protection of human rights.”

(April 8, 2013)

Annual Staff Meeting – April 12th, 2013

◦ 500 Staff Attended

◦ Theme: “I am Free” Freedom & Spiritual Transparency

Concept of freedom Different forms of freedom Personal freedom vs. civil liberties Honesty

“To what extent has the 2011 revolution and subsequent political developments affected the mission of CEOSS?”

“To what extent has the 2011 revolution and subsequent political developments affected the mission of CEOSS?”

“To what extent has the 2011 revolution and subsequent political developments affected the mission of CEOSS?”

◦ Worsened economic conditions have created a greater need in areas they offer services.

◦ It has focused CEOSS’s mission re: human rights.

◦ It has forced CEOSS to tailor their public rhetoric with regard to the current political climate.

◦ Organization is taking an inward look at civil freedoms and personal roles/responsibility.

Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services