Spaces for exchange (virtual/physical):

I believe that giving thought to how we create space for people to share and connect is both an art and a science. It starts from the smallest detail, such as drafting an email, to the room layout (physical or virtual), and how we guide people to engage with each other.

As a visual thinker and designer, I work to translate frameworks and methodologies into tangible artifacts that surface new conversations and insights. I also design toolkits and craft immersive experiences that explore knowledge exchange mechanisms in more depth and encourage people to collaborate and work towards strengthening their collective intelligence.

Below you can view a collection of workshops, toolkits, events I worked on designing, facilitating, and/or planning throughout out my career. I am focusing on demonstrating the process more than the insights and learnings surfaced

Team:

Different for every project

My roles:

Facilitator,
Strategic Designer,
Visual Designer.

 
 

  1. Solution mappers network:

In 2022, the Egypt UNDP Accelerator Lab partnered with Greenish to embed solutions mapping into the work of Greenish clubs. We achieved this through a combination of initiatives:

  • Virtual workshops: These interactive sessions introduced club members to solutions mapping concepts and methodologies.

  • Live mapping events: Participants applied their learnings by collaboratively mapping local solutions in real-time.

  • The Solutions Mappers Guide: This concise and practical tool empowers "curious mappers" to embark on independent Solutions Mapping Adventures, providing them with clear guidance on concepts, principles, and processes.

The overarching goals of these initiatives were twofold. First, to seamlessly blend solutions mapping into the clubs' activities, enriching them with this valuable methodology. Second, to inspire young changemakers to recognize and appreciate the ingenuity woven into local solutions. By showcasing how grassroots innovators in Egypt tackle challenges with both creativity and resourcefulness, we hope to encourage inclusive innovation and empower diverse voices to contribute to positive change.

- Rough sketch of exhibit layout

 
 
 

- Workshop Mural Board

 

2. UNDP X Hult:

Building on a longstanding partnership with Hult International School of Business, the UNDP Egypt Accelerator Lab joined forces with Professor Joanne Lawrence in 2022. Her Social Impact course students tackled a real-world challenge: envisioning a model for sustainable tourism in Egypt.

I led a virtual workshop with two key objectives:

  1. User Journey Unveiled: By planning their own virtual trips to Egypt, students provided valuable insights into how tourists initially learn about and engage with the country. This collective "user research" helped us understand potential gaps and opportunities for sustainable tourism initiatives.

  2. Unpacking Sustainability: Students brainstormed in groups, visualizing what a sustainable tourism experience in Egypt would look and feel like.

Engaging 47 students from 22 countries, the workshop fostered creative thinking and sparked valuable discussions on shaping a more sustainable future for tourism in Egypt.

- System map template

 

- Plan a trip template

 
 

3. Driving SDG Localization:

Local governments and communities hold the key to realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2023, UNDP Egypt partnered with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development to support three pilot governorates – Port Said, Fayoum, and Beheira – with Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). VLRs help track and report SDG progress, driving localization at the city and regional levels.

My role involved designing and supporting the policy team run workshops that fostered community engagement. Diverse community members shared their narratives and perspectives on local SDG progress, allowing the team to not only grasp challenges but also identify bottom-up initiatives guiding collaborative action.

Leveraging existing community leaders and gatherings, we facilitated 3-hour discussions that guided participants through different themes and times. The insightful contributions and enthusiastic participation inspired the UNDP Country office and Ministry to dedicate further resources to participatory processes and social innovation platforms.

 
 
 

4. Investing in portfolios:

In 2022, the UNDP Egypt Country Office Team commenced a journey of learnings on sustainable tourism. Supported by CHÔRA Foundation and the UNDP Strategic Innovation Unit, the Egypt country office utilized a System Transformation Framework to establish a deeper perspective on the opportunities and challenges faced by the Tourism Sector. As well as, design a portfolio of multiple development options that accommodate ambiguity and uncertainty, generate learning and allow insights to emerge often from unexpected places.

The stakeholder meetings focused on three key areas:

  1. Shared Vision: Craft a shared understanding and narrative for a globally competitive, differentiated, and sustainable tourism system.

  2. Co-creation Space: Build a platform for collaborative action and shared investment.

  3. Collective Learning: Designing roadmaps to facilitate knowledge exchange and joint efforts.

 

- Mural digital render