A group of 20 young people from Madrid will depart this Friday for Egypt as part of the innovative Madrid Xplora programme, designed to reward academic excellence and social commitment. The President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, met with the selected participants in an emotional event at the Royal Post House, where she urged them to be ambassadors for their city during this unique experience.
An educational adventure without screens
The programme, driven by the Department of Family, Youth and Social Affairs, has been a resounding success in its first edition, receiving proposals from 103 educational institutions. The participants were chosen from 169 projects, which addressed relevant issues for today's youth such as environmental care and the risks associated with social media. The initiatives included everything from short films to musical compositions and fictional political proposals.
Díaz Ayuso shared with the young people her own experience of travelling abroad in her youth, recalling how transformative such adventures can be. “You are going to explore one of the most fascinating countries in the world,” she told them before emphasising the importance of disconnecting: “I celebrate that you won’t have your mobile with you all the time.”
Accompanied by a specialised communication team and guided by expert Rubén Villalobos, the young people will explore iconic places such as the pyramids of Giza and the Karnak temple. Additionally, they will experience unique activities such as camping in the desert and sailing on the Nile until the end of June.
Díaz Ayuso asked them to behave as true ambassadors of Madrid during their stay: “Be the best ambassadors of Madrid, no matter where you come from.” In a humorous tone, she recalled a phrase from Pope Leo XIV about Madrilenian identity: “If you are in Madrid, you are from Madrid.”
The event concluded with motivational words directed at each of the expedition members. The president assured them that they would return as a better version of themselves after facing personal challenges during the trip. “I am convinced that you will be deeply proud not only of what you learn about Egypt but also about yourselves,” Ayuso stated.
As these young people prepare to embark on this educational adventure, their stories are set to inspire other Madrid students to actively engage in their communities and seek similar opportunities for both academic and personal growth.
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