On November 7, 2001, the Regional English Language Office at the U.S. Embassy organized the first Egypt iEARN CIVICS Awards Ceremony for 25 secondary schools currently participating in the iEARN CIVICS project.

Over 200 students, teachers, school officials and parents gathered in the garden of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to celebrate last year's achievements and to express their commitment to civic education and on-line collaborative learning.

The audience was welcomed by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Reno Harnish; the Counselor of English to the Minister of Education; and the Prime Minister's advisor on information technology, RITSEC Director Dr. Hisham Sherif.

The event was co-sponsored by Egypt Microsoft, the Egyptian Cultural Center, Al Karma Group, and the Regional Information Technology and Software Center (RITSEC). It was covered by CNN and representatives from the major daily and weekly Egyptian press.

Photo: U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Reno Harnish delivers a certificate of success to an Abbass Al Akkad Experimental Language School iEARN and Friendship Through Education Initiative participant.