By ; Mohamed Essam
Under the global framework of the Capture the Future: Global Youth Storytelling Initiative for People and Nature, UNESCO and vivo successfully organized a youth capacity-building workshop at Alexandria University. The event brought together nearly 100 local university students for an immersive day of creative practices, serving as a vital activation of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program in Egypt.
“This project would further encourage youth to move from “voice” to “action,” addressing real-world problems while offering career inspiration and potential investment opportunities for their projects, as well as bringing new opportunities for improving local governance, branding and social development,” said Kelly Cerialo, Program Specialist from UNESCO.
The workshop aimed to equip young people with professional visual storytelling skills, raise environmental awareness, and inspire youth to document the harmonious coexistence between people and nature in biosphere reserves through mobile photography.
“For us at the Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, we are very happy with this collaboration between Alexandria University, National Egyptian Commission for UNESCO, vivo, and UNESCO MAB. These sessions gave students a valuable opportunity to better understand the importance of living in harmony with nature, while also learning how photography can become a powerful storytelling tool. It was inspiring to see students explore how to capture real and authentic stories through their lenses, while delivering emotions and meaningful messages through every photo,” emphasized Dr. Manal Fawzy, Chair of MAB Egypt and Professor of Environmental Technology at the Faculty of Science, Alexandria University .
Technology Meets Preservation
Central to the workshop was the vivo V70 FE. Its 200 MP OIS Ultra-Clear Main Camera allowed participants to capture Egypt’s biosphere reserves and cultural landmarks with scientific precision. The high resolution ensured that even when zooming or cropping for detailed analysis, the images maintained the clarity required for UNESCO’s archival and storytelling standards.
"We aim to democratize professional-grade imaging," said Alex Zhan, General Manager of vivo Egypt, “it is our mission to turn mobile devices into a 'digital observatory', empowering every young person for sustainable storytelling and inclusive cultural expression.”
Beyond technical training in composition and narrative, vivo experts guided students in using these mobile tools to highlight local traditions and sustainable development, transforming raw data into compelling visual narratives.
A Vision for Inclusive Storytelling
This initiative reflects vivo’s long-term commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive photography. While the “vivo the moment” Mobile Photo Awards 2026, which promotes imaging accessibility and cultural expression by encouraging people from all backgrounds to capture and share authentic moments of local culture, urban life, and everyday stories, the Alexandria University session provides the deep technical foundation needed for professional-grade impact.
Together, these two programs create a powerful synergy — merging UNESCO’s humanitarian vision with vivo’s technological leadership, expanding access to visual storytelling while nurturing the next generation of young visual storytellers.
Through sustained investment in creative empowerment, vivo Egypt continues to make professional-grade mobile imaging accessible to all, inspire self-expression, and empower more young people to document, share, and contribute to a more sustainable and connected future.
