Introduction

Throughout its modern and contemporary history, Egypt and its people have embraced nationalist movements, and undertaken various political experiments. This struggle by the Egyptian people encompassed a series of efforts to achieve freedom, progress, and justice. The 1952 revolution was a landmark in the modern history of Egypt, with the establishment of the republican system, and the movement towards the realization of independence, social justice, and national pride. Similarly, the October 1973 victory demonstrated the triumph of the Egyptian people's will, and capacity for sound scientific and strategic planning. The October victory brought to Egypt and the Arab nation confidence in their abilities, and placed Egypt on the threshold of a new era with a profound vision for regional and global change. The achievements of the "October Generation" have continued: the majority of Sinai was liberated in 1982; Taba, the last piece of Sinai territory, was returned to Egyptian sovereignty in 1989; and Egypt has since made continuous efforts toward a fair, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.

Today, Egypt faces a new world, and challenges that are different than those faced in previous decades. When the National Democratic Party (NDP) was established in August 1978, its major challenges included regaining the occupied national territories, and completing the country's transformation from one-party rule to a system of political pluralism. When President Hosni Mubarak assumed the leadership of the Party in 1981, Egypt launched the process of economic reform, through the establishment of a much-needed modern infrastructure. Furthermore, Egypt started the transition from central planning to gradual economic liberalization, and moved ahead on the path toward democratic transformation.

Egypt faces new challenges with the end of the Cold War, and the subsequent demise of the bipolar world order. These new challenges are of a different nature since they derive from the revolutionary advances in the field of Information Technology, from the spread of democratic values and human rights, and from the desire by all nations to build new economies based on human knowledge and economic trading blocks. These new challenges require new responses based on a new thinking that goes beyond ideological divisions and rigid moulds. This new thinking perceives such challenges as an opportunity to achieve progress, rather than a constraint that will hinder its forward movement. The ability to evolve and develop, while staying true to its principles, is one of the most important features that characterize the National Democratic Party (NDP) in its effort to lead the citizens of Egypt into the future.

This document contains the basic intellectual principles that govern the Party's guidelines and mission in all fields for this coming phase. Such principles represent the basis upon which the Party's policies, programs, and public discourse are built. Moreover these principles embody the vision of the party leadership, and derive from extensive discussion and consultation among the party membership. It also seek to respond to the hopes and aspirations of the average Egyptian citizen. Thus, this document is illustrative of the contemporary discourse of our Party, and is characterized by clarity, and an effort to address all classes of society, within a framework of enlightened vision and new thinking.

Values for progress

1) Party for all Egyptians
The National Democratic Party expresses the aspirations of all Egyptians regardless of religious, regional or professional affiliation; it recognizes that all Egyptians are members of the national family. The Party firmly believes in Egypt's ability to absorb different perspectives and visions in regard to attaining Egypt's national interest. The NDP is considered the natural inheritor of the Egyptian national movement, which has led the national liberation of the community since the beginning of the 20th Century.

2) The Centrality of Egyptian National Identity
The Party embraces the centrality of the Egyptian national identity, which has preserved the cohesion of the state since the dawn of history. Moreover, the NDP affirms Egypt's civilizational affiliation with both the Arab and Islamic nations.

3) The Principle of Citizenship
The party is committed to the principle of citizenship as a basis for total equality of rights and obligations for all Egyptians, regardless of religion, gender or race. The NDP also affirms and cherishes the preservation of national unity among Muslims and Christians.

4) Religions and Progress
The Party believes in the positive role of religions in promoting development and progress. The NDP also affirms the role of Islam and the principles of tolerance, equality and justice-as embodied by the Sharia--as the main source of legislation. It also recognizes the importance of the modernization of the national religious discourse so that it may serve as the foundation of a society striving to achieve comprehensive development.

5) Proactive Center
The Party adopts a constructive centrist vision based on the values of initiative, participation, dynamic change and a rejection of extremism. This vision reflects the values of the Egyptian people. The goal of such a centrist path is the attainment of social, economic and political transformation while maintaining a balance between the individual's and the community's interests.

6) Rights of the Citizen
The Party seeks to ensure the respect of basic rights for all citizens. Such rights include, but are not limited to: the right to life, freedom and equality before the law; the right to private ownership of property, to work, education, health care, and the respect of private life and political participation; the right of freedom of thought and expression; and other rights and liberties that derive from divine laws, the constitution and international conventions and treaties signed by Egypt. The Party also affirms the importance of strengthening the institutions that are responsible for protecting such rights, especially the judiciary and the police.

7) Democracy
The Party affirms the importance of continuing the process of democratization through respect for the rule of law, the constitution, and the protection of civil liberties. It also affirms the principles of transparency and accountability, freedom of the press, encouragement of political participation at all levels, and the preservation of the political rights of peasants and workers.

8) Civil Society
The Party believes in the importance of civil society institutions and non-governmental organizations. The NDP seeks to activate and support their role in the development process within a framework of partnership between society and State--and to enhance the social responsibilities of both individual and private sector organizations.

9) State and Society
The Party believes in the role of the State as protector of the community, guardian of its values, and trustee of its assets and social safety. It is the task of the State to: create the appropriate atmosphere for the development process, and to achieve--through public policies and the enforcement of law-an equilibrium of interests between the individual and the community; to enable the less-fortunate to meet their basic needs; and to provide due care to the needs of the handicapped.

10) Equal Opportunity for All
The Party believes in the notion of a society based upon equal opportunity for all. It seeks to provide opportunity to all Egyptian citizens so that each may benefit based upon their own abilities and skills.

11) Family and Development
The Party affirms the importance of family as the "basis of society" and the foundation upon which a comprehensive program of development can be achieved. The Party also seeks to create an environment that enables the family to carry out its important roles in socialization, cultivating positive human values, and promoting family planning with the goal of balancing the size of the family, its needs and its resources.

12) Role of Woman
The Party believes in the importance of women and their contribution to society. The Party seeks to empower them and encourage their role in public life. It also supports policies to enhance women's economic and social status, and encourage their participation in all forms of political life.

13) Youth and the Future
The party places the youth of Egypt, who constitute the majority of the population, at the center of its attention. The party seeks to ensure the youth of Egypt full opportunities to participate in the development process, and to attain leadership positions in all fields.

The Road to Development

14) Justice and Development
The Party believes in the state's role to maintain social justice, and to assure a fair distribution of economic returns in line with market forces. The State also has a role in ensuring a just level of income and wealth distribution among all Egyptians; and to achieve sustainable development that preserves the environment and protects the rights of future generations.

15) Culture of Development
The Party stresses the importance of implanting a culture of development that will fuel Egypt's economic future. This must be accomplished by spreading of the values of initiative, achievement, group work, and the readiness to bear responsibility, and by encouraging and supporting scientific research initiatives. The Party seeks to trigger the latent abilities of the Egyptian people and stimulate inventiveness, imagination and the entrepreneurial spirit.

16) Human Capital
The Party perceives that Egypt's true wealth resides in its citizens, and seeks to develop such wealth through effective investment in education, training and the cultivation of human resources, and the support of scientists. The Party also seeks to control population growth in a way that allows for the full development of human capital, and ensures the best use of resources for social and economic development.

17) The Market Economy
The Party recognizes that the market mechanism is the most efficient means for the distribution and exploitation of national resources. In addition, the Party believes that the State plays a pivotal role in attaining a fair and equitable distribution of resources, and in activating the efficiency of these mechanisms within a framework of effective regulation and supervision by independent, credible and transparent institutions.

18) Investment and Production
The Party believes in the importance of the role of the private sector in attaining economic development--in an environment characterized by transparency and stability. The Party also fully supports the role of a productive private sector in providing investment, and perceives it as fundamental strategic necessssity. In sectors that naturally require the State to continue full or partial ownership of its assets, the Party adopts policies and means that would: enhance public sector efficiency, maintain the value of invested assets, subject its units to rules of competition, supervision and accountability, and otherwise privatize assets and broaden ownership without undermining the rights of employees.

19) Public Services
The Party believes that providing public services is a major obligation of the State, with the expressed purpose of improving living conditions--especially for the most vulnerable members of society. The Party also believes that the best approach to providing public services is through sound economic management consistent with State supervision, whether provided by 'economic authorities', public companies, or private sector institutions.

Egypt and the World

20) National Interest and interaction with the world
The Party believes in the importance of positive interaction with the world as a whole, particularly in light of the international and regional changes occurring around us. The foreign policy of Egypt, being a pivotal regional power, seeks to achieve its national interest, within a framework that supports regional and international peace and stability through bilateral and multilateral relations. In that respect, the Party affirms the importance of supporting and enhancing the Armed Forces' ability to deter any possible threats, and to preserve Egypt's national security.

21) International Economic Competition
The Party considers that good and strong relations with the outer world are a fundamental condition for attaining the targeted development rates, and that such open-door policies can be realized through the gradual liberation of trade, the introduction of Egyptian production to world competition, and the attraction of foreign investments.

22) Integration into the Global Economy
The Party perceives that Egypt has a crucial economic role in the international arena. Thus, it is important to work through a number of economic blocks to serve its interests. The Party also recognizes that the challenges of integration into the global economy necessitate improving the ability of national production entities to compete on a global basis in order to increase Egypt's share in international trade, and to better capitalize on Egypt's unique competitive advantages such as geographic location, human resources and potential economic capabilities.

23) The Arab Nation
Recognizing Egypt's historic affiliation and leading role in the Arab World, the Party seeks to strengthen Egypt's ties with Arab countries through enhancing bilateral relations, activating the role of the Arab League, and establishing Arab free trade agreements with the goal of achieving Arab Economic Integration.

24) Peace in the Middle East
The Party believes that a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East should be built on the basis of equality, parity and common interests-free from hegemonic control and the occupation of land. The Party affirms that peace based on these principles is the only way to achieve reconciliation among the peoples of the region. The party also believes that regional peace should be supported by the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. The Party reaffirms that the principle of "Land for Peace" still constitutes the basis for a just and comprehensive peace in the region, and is the foundation for building normal relations between Israel and the Arab World, within a framework which guarantees the establishment of an independent sovereign Palestinian state. This process must begin with an Israeli withdrawal from all Arab lands occupied since 1967, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations and the Arab Summits.

25) The Islamic World
The Party affirms Egypt's strong bond with the Islamic World. It also recognizes the significant contribution of Islam to human civilization. The Party supports dialogue among religions and civilizations for the purpose of deepening mutual understanding. It also supports the efforts of Al-Azhar in spreading the values of moderation, tolerance and understanding.

26) The African Continent
The Party believes in the importance of strengthening cooperation with African countries. The Party affirms Egypt's special relations with the countries of the Nile Basin, within a framework that achieves common interests and enhances Egypt's national security.

27) Economically Developed Countries
The Party seeks to strengthen cooperation with the economically developed countries, particularly the countries of the European Union, the United States and Japan, This can both serve the development process and have a positive impact on the position of these countries vis-à-vis Egyptian and Arab causes.

28) Developing Countries
The Party affirms Egypt's strong ties with developing countries. It seeks to enhance Egypt's relations with them, especially countries with emerging economies, in order to promote cooperation, and coordinate policy positions on matters of common interest.

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