Opening lecture: Creativity, Revolution and Women. Justice, Peace and Tolerance. Freedom and Dignity

Delivered by: Nawal El Saadawi

Beginning her lecture Ms El Saadawi thanked all in attendance and expressed her excitement at being a part of such an important and meaningful conference. She addressed the audience explaining that the lecture would feature the following concepts: Creativity, Revolution and Women. Justice, Peace and Tolerance. She began by questioning how much the world has changed since WWII, both in Poland and beyond its borders. Questioning the ideals of modern day society, she lamented the commercialization of values within society today. Moving on from her opening remarks, Ms El Saadawi, provided a brief but, important background into her own life explaining how she is prohibited from lecturing in certain countries and institutions due to her controversial opinions and perspectives (she currently lectures in Michigan). Equality, freedom and security were topics that found particular focus during her opening remarks also.

The first fundamental point she made was lamenting the educational quality in existence in colleges and schools throughout the world today, from Egypt to the United States of America, she questioned the educational parameters in existence today. Criticising the divide and obvious disparity between educational circles from different countries and regions she bemoaned the ‘’fragmentation’’ between these different education models. Ms El Saadawi, who graduated in medicine, explained that even though she achieved her wish of becoming a doctor she explained in detail how in spite of her qualification she still was a novice in this field.

Continuing on with the theme of education she stated that with the proper education comes creativity, freedom, revolution and security. She recalled how as she developed her intellect through education and through this newfound knowledge she discovered herself becoming more and more politicalised. Recalling how her new found creativity prospered, she warned that with this creativity came consequences. Her knowledge led her campaigning and fighting for justice leading to her conflict with the King over the allocation of provisions within Egypt. Explaining that her sense of freedom has also led her to question American & Israeli interests within the Arab world, she confirmed that she will continue to fight to support those who are affected by these American interests.

Moving on from this theme, Ms El Saadawi recalled her childhood and the struggles she endured as she was born a woman in a male dominated society. Remembering her own experience during childhood, she evoked memories of her own struggles during childhood due to the fact that she was a female. She drew comparisons with her brother who was treated better simply due to the fact that he was born a male. This is something she felt very strongly about and undoubtedly formed a large part of her activism throughout her life.

Using her childhood as a basis to construct her argument, she recalled that in historical times, both sexes were treated equally and queried how this had changed over time. Directing her lecture to touch once again upon the concept of creativity, she reiterated her belief that creativity can be central to overcoming struggles and disparities within society today. She urged all in attendance to follow their creative instincts, which in turn could assist them in living in a more accepting and accommodating world.

Politics ‘’we live in one world not three worlds’’. ‘’How can we judge who comes from the first & third world’’? She explained how we co-exist in one system, where the minority rule the masses. Colonialism was cited by Ms El Saadawi, as perhaps the greatest cause of the fragmentation within society today. Speaking on the pertinent subject of peace, she questioned why America and Israel control nuclear power and the possible outcomes that could occur from this. One of her central conclusions from this point was to argue for the redistribution of wealth and that is the only way in which peace can be achieved.

Moving on she spoke about her need to join in the protests of economic greed from Wall Street to London. She felt that her actions were part of a wider feeling that was not just confined to the Arab world and that people today have grown dissatisfied at the state of the world we now find ourselves in.

She concluded by explaining the Egyptian revolution and how the masses (young people) began protesting in 2011. Criticising President Mubarak, she lamented his execution of the protesters, but celebrated the ousting of this cruel leader. Once he was disposed, she criticized the arrival of Hillary Clinton who she claimed attempted to buy American interests within the region. She condemned the blood money America gave after the overthrow of Mubarak and criticised the corrupt nature of the elections within the country. DEMOCRACY she claimed suffered enormously through American intervention and this fact has essentially destroyed many freedoms and rights within Egypt.

Concluding by stating that creativity creates courage and freedom, she outlined that creativity is essential within society today and closed by stating ‘’God is justice and if he is just he can protect me’’.

Once her speech had concluded Ms El Saadawi took questions on a number of topics from; how can we change the world, to particular issues within some of her points.