In May 2025, Professor Khaled El-Enany gave a lecture in Vienna exploring the historical roots of cultural multilateralism in Ancient Egypt and how they resonate with UNESCO’s principles.

With a scholarly yet accessible approach, he demonstrated how ancient Egypt embraced practices that closely echo UNESCO’s modern mission: preserving knowledge, promoting education, and respecting diversity. He described the libraries as “houses of life,” and the exchanges between civilizations that nurtured the cross-cultural dialogue along the Nile as early forms of international intellectual cooperation- laying the groundwork for modern multilateralism.

The lecture underscored the contemporary relevance of UNESCO’s founding principles and reaffirmed the value of history as a guide to address today’s global challenges and shaping tomorrow’s solutions. Held in an academic and cultural setting, the event became more than a retrospective, it called for the reimagination and the reflection on how ancient legacies can inspire future global governance.