NEWSLETTER. UNESCO - Beirut. UNESCO Office in Beirut: More setbacks... yet thriving. Volume 5 - Issue No 13, April - June 2015

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1 UNESCO - Beirut NEWSLETTER Volume 5 - Issue No 13, April - June 2015 التقرير العالمي لرص د التعليم للجميع التعليم للجميع : الا نجازات والتهديات يم للجميع UNESCO Office in Beirut: More setbacks... yet thriving Entering the second half of 2015, the general situation in the Arab region remains worrying: refugees continue to flow, war crimes against man and heritage are being committed on a larger scale, and millions are being deprived from their basic human rights due to armed conflict and the volatile security situation in the region. #EduVerdict Education in the Arab States UNESCO DG Visits Lebanon Culture Nevertheless, building on the exceptional start of this year and the substantial results achieved in the first half of 2015, the work s pace at UNESCO Office in Beirut shows no sign of slowness. May 2015 marked a true milestone in Education with the Arab countries committing themselves, together with the whole world, to a new education agenda for post-2015 during the World Education Forum in Incheon, Korea. Arab and international officials and experts also met in Beirut to reflect on Climate Change Education and ways of advancing it. Together with journalists, activists, experts, and university students UNESCO Office in Beirut and the Ministry of Information celebrated the World Press Freedom Day 2015 in style. The Office also launched the results of the Survey on the knowledge & perception of Youth towards media in Lebanon, revealing crucial information on youth preferences and their use of the different media platforms. Communication & Information Social and Human Sciences Yet, the main highlight of this last period is the official visit of UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova to Lebanon. Although a short one, the visit was very successful. The Director General shared priorities and discussed mutual cooperation with senior Lebanese officials. Her visit was also an occasion to launch the #unite4heritage campaign in Lebanon, sending a powerful message of solidarity and determination against the brutality and ignorance of extremist groups. Finally, on behalf of the staff in UNESCO Office in Beirut, I invite you to further enjoy exploring our main events and activities through this newsletter, and we also wish you and your families a happy and blessed Ramadan.

2 Education in the Arab States Regional Experts Meeting on Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development in the Arab States Under the Patronage of H.E. Mohammad Al- Mashnouk, Minister of Environment, and the participation of H.E. Bahia Al Hariri, Chairperson, Education and Culture Parliamentarian Committee; UNESCO Regional Bureau in Beirut organized the Regional Experts Meeting on Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development in the Arab States (5-7 May 2015). CCESD were shared between 75 officials and experts from 16 Arab countries, Kenya, New Zealand, UN- International/Regional Organizations, and Civil Society-NGOs. During this meeting, participants developed a Road Map for CCESD in the region, based on four Sub- Regional Studies prepared for the Meeting, in line with the World Conference on ESD Declaration and the Global Action Programme (GAP-ESD) launched in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, 12 November The Expert Meeting programme discussed themes and issues related to Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development (CCESD) in the Arab Region, and the mechanisms to involve youth, learners, and communities through education and training programmes (General Education-TVET, Higher Education/ and Non-Formal Learning). National, Regional, and International experiences on

3 Education in the Arab States التعليم للجميع : الا نجازات والتهديات التعليم للجميع #EduVerdict التقرير العالمي لرص د التعليم للجميع Launch of the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2015: No countries in the Arab States reached all the global education goals With the aim to study the results of the Education For All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report (GMR) 2015 and discuss the current situation in the Arab States regarding the six EFA goals that were set in 2000, UNESCO Regional Office for Education in the Arab States organized a meeting at its headquarters in Beirut bringing together experts and representatives of Arab countries and key organizations that are active in the field of education in the region. While the region has seen major developments in education, no countries in the Arab States reached all the global education goals. Nine countries 60% of the total - have achieved universal primary education, leaving 4.5 million children still out of schools. The report stressed the major impact of conflicts in the region on education, with the proportion of the region s school children affected by armed conflict has risen from 63% to 87%. In terms of adult illiteracy in the region, 52 million adults, equivalent to just over a fifth of the adult population, are denied the right to literacy, two thirds of whom are women. Even with rates dropping by 39%, the Arab region is still short of the 50% target. Despite significant increases in girls access to schooling, the region remains one of the furthest from the target of gender parity in education. In most countries with data, the share of GNP spent on education increased between 1999 and However, education is a low priority in many national budgets in the region: less than 20% of national budgets were committed to the sector in all the nine countries with data in 2012, falling below 10% in Bahrain and Lebanon. 4th MENA Higher Education Conference in the Arab States: Inter-Agency and Inter- Regional cooperation to enhance Higher Education Institutions quality In the framework of the University Governance and Quality Assurance Programme, the World Bank Group, the Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI), and the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) organized the fourth MENA Higher Education conference in Beirut, Lebanon focusing on development of information sharing mechanisms and systems to improve Higher Education governance and quality assurance in the Arab countries. Held from 12 to 14 May 2015, the Conference focused on Empowering Higher Education Institutions (HEI) through Information Sharing and Improved Governance. The importance of timely and effective information sharing among HEI has been tackled as a means of developing/ revisiting shared visions of quality learning in the twenty-first century, while also paying attention to informed decision making in the context of participatory governance systems. Experts from different HEI of the region, as well as international HE specialists have also contributed to identifying relevant issues in, and main bottlenecks to, enhancing HEI quality through governance and information sharing in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. Among other, the needs to gather relevant information and to process it effectively have been emphasized as against collecting piles of irrelevant data that do not support policy formulation and implementation. The many facets of participatory and inclusive governance have been also addressed with a view of putting good governance in the service of quality learning.

4 UNESCO DG Visits Lebanon by extremism and violence in the region; saving the religious and cultural minorities from all types of persecution; promote the human values that are based on tolerance and coexistence between the different civilizations within these communities; and take more tangible actions against those committing these crimes against humanity and acts of cultural cleansing and end their impunity. Director-General Visits UNESCO Office in Beirut UNESCO Director- General Irina Bokova Visit to Beirut UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, made a visit to Beirut from May 14 to May 16. The visit took place in a context of a strengthened cooperation between Lebanon and UNESCO with new educational and cultural initiatives to promote values of peace and tolerance among youth. During her visit, Ms. Bokova met with the Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, the Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gebran Bassil, and Minister of Culture Raymond Araiji as well as MP. Bahia Al- Hariri, and Ms. Leila Al Solh. During her meeting with Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Ms. Bokova expressed UNESCO s solidarity, respect, and support to the generosity of the Lebanese people in dealing with the Syrian refugees. Discussions also included the current situation of cultural heritage in the region, acts of destruction of important sites in Syria and Iraq, and ways to protect this heritage and counter extremism. Ms Bokova visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she was received by Minister Gebran Bassil. Ms. Bokova and Minister Bassil called for the protection of world cultural heritage sites threatened UNESCO Director-General had a meeting with Ms. Leila Al Solh, Vice President of Al Walid bin Talal Foundation, with whom UNESCO has a partnership agreement to strengthen the work of the UNESCO Office in Beirut in the area of educational resources and tools, with the aim to promote quality education for all in Lebanon, with a special focus on young people. Accompanied by Ms. Solh, Ms. Bokova made a tour in the renovated facilities in UNESCO Office in Beirut, where she received a medal from Ms. Solh in recognition of UNESCO efforts in education in Lebanon, particularly the provision of education and basic life skills for people with special needs, and marginalized populations. The Director-General also participated in a discussion with young people through a Voice of Lebanon Radio on a programme entitled Displacement and Worries dedicated to the challenges faced by young people affected by the Syria crisis in Lebanon. While in UNESCO premises, The Director-General also met with the Secretary General and the members of the Lebanese National Commission to UNESCO, taking this opportunity to launch new activities in Lebanon in the framework of the Organization s 70th anniversary. UNESCO Director-General and Lebanon s Minister of Culture Launch #Unite4Heritage Campaign from the National Museum in Beirut. UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, and the Minister of Culture, Raymond Araiji, participated in a cultural ceremony at the Lebanese National Museum to formally launch the #Unite4Heritage campaign in

5 UNESCO DG Visits Lebanon Lebanon. This campaign comes in the framework of UNESCO s efforts to build support and encourage young people, those living in the Arab region in particular, to actively participate in raising awareness and protection of diversity and cultural heritage threatened by the violence and sectarian discourse. In his speech for the occasion, the Minister of Culture welcomed UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, stating that in these difficult times in the world and particularly our region, your endeavour to preserve peoples tangible and intangible heritage finds both meaning and significance. I am pleased to note the strict implementation of the UNESCO 1970 Convention against illicit traffic of cultural property, with an increased cooperation with Interpol and the international customs, and I can only applaud such a clear and resolute endeavor, which is a reason for optimism. For her part, Ms. Bokova noted that this region has always been a model of religious coexistence and cultural diversity, as she found in the variety of the National Museum s collection an open book and clear evidence of the region s cultural mixture, it reminds us that there is no pure culture: on the contrary, the greatness of this region lies in its diversity. We have not seen in recent history a deliberate destruction that is such systematic and with such degree of brutality for cultural diversity, like what we are seeing today in Iraq and Syria. It is a cultural cleansing through which minorities are persecuted, heritage is sabotaged, as well as everything reflecting diversity and freedom, stated Ms. Bokova. We cannot remain silent: we must alert consciences, we need to unite and to take action. This situation reminds us all of our responsibilities, said the Director-General, adding that Lebanon assumed its responsibilities, and it represents a model for the world in terms of solidarity. Ms Bokova paid tribute to the Lebanese people, for receiving hundreds of thousands of refugees, reassuring once again UNESCO s support to give Lebanon the means to enable it to further assume its responsibilities on the longer term. The Director-General praised Lebanon for playing a vital role in the fight against the trafficking of cultural objects, with Beirut chosen to be a platform to support UNESCO s action to safeguard and monitor Syria s cultural heritage, including International Observatory of the Syrian cultural heritage. Ms. Bokova also talked about Lebanon s role in the #Unite4Heritage campaign. With its unique social fabric, its relentless defense of freedom of expression, its skilled, committed and educated youth -UNESCO relies on Lebanon to take the lead in this campaign. We must stand together and show all cultures are linked, we must explain the value of heritage, and we must resist the lies and hatred, added Ms. Bokova.

6 Culture Twenty three Syrian experts trained on safeguarding Built Cultural Heritage in Syria As part of its continuous efforts to support Syrians in protecting and safeguarding their cultural heritage, UNESCO, together with ICCROM-ATHAR, and the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage - Bahrain (ARC-WH) organized a training for Syrian professionals in Beirut, Lebanon, with the aim to establish national teams capable of undertaking emergency response interventions to secure endangered built cultural heritage, as well as training other teams within the country. The First Aid to Built Cultural Heritage in Syria workshop brought together twenty three architects, restoration experts, civil engineers, museum curators and archaeologists from major Syrian cities and the country s cultural institutions, including the Damascus National Museum, Old Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Crac des Chevaliers, Daraa, Der Ez-Zor, and Lattakia. The training comes to follow-up on a workshop organized in late 2014, which was attended by nine of the participants to this year s course. International and Syrian experts from UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS and local NGOs conducted this workshop s programme that was developed in close cooperation with the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) in Syria. The programme was composed of four main modules: rapid documentation; damage assessment and structural analysis; risk assessment and management; and working with local communities. UNESCO and KAICIID Promote Global Citizenship Values in the Arab Region Under the joint patronage of Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmad Al Tayyeb and Minister of Education of Egypt H.E. Dr. Moheb AL Rafie, UNESCO and the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) co-organized a conference on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in the Arab States in Cairo from April The conference opened with remarks by H.E. Moheb El Rafie, Minister of Education of Egypt. Comments were also made by representatives of Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmad Al Tayyeb of Al Azhar Al Sharif, Pope Tawadross II of Alexandria, and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Mr. Fahad Abualnasr. The Chief of Staff of KAICIID as well as Dr. Hamed Al Hammami, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States, also offered opening statements. There s an urgent need for full coordination between religious and educational institutions in order to set the citizenship s human and religious foundation, stated Dr. Al-Hammami. The role of the Imam and preacher in mosques and churches is no less than the role of the teacher. Therefore, we made sure to bring together all interested parties from religious and educational institutions, he added. Dr. Abdul Salaam Al Joufi, former Minister of Education of Yemen, reporting back from his session stated the rationale for GCE: There are global issues that require a global response. We are all in one boat, if it sinks, we all sink together. The conference resulted in a number of recommendations in seven priority areas, namely: 1. The elaboration of the concept; 2. The common human values; 3. Tools and mechanisms; 4. Religious speech; 5. Educational speech; 6. Media speech; 7. Follow-up and coordination.

7 Training seminar on Museum Emergency Preparedness in UNESCO Beirut Under the High Patronage of H.E. Minister of Culture, Mr. Raymond Arayji, UNESCO Beirut Office in close collaboration with the Lebanese National Committee of ICOM (International Council of museums), jointly organized a training seminar on Museum Emergency Preparedness in UNESCO Office in Beirut. This training came as a part of risk management activities conducted by UNESCO, and was dedicated for museums professionals and institutions involved in the protection, preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage. This activity s major objectives included identification of potential risks facing the various institutions, preparation and development of emergency plans, as well as measures and response planning in cases of emergencies. The training seminar includes theoretical and practical approaches while it orbits around two main themes: risks and actions in museums; and contributing to the development and implementation of an emergency plan. UNESCO Culture programme specialist Joseph Kreidi confirmed that this training comes as a response to the interest and assistance requests expressed by the Lebanese authorities, and in the framework of the series of activities that UNESCO has been conducting in Lebanon to strengthen local capacities, and update the current techniques and intervention processes in place. UNESCO signs an agreement with the Lebanese Council for Development and Reconstruction On the first of June 2015, UNESCO-Beirut Office and The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) signed an agreement (UDAS) to assist the Government, in particular, by providing advisory services and high level technical assistance to the Ministry of Culture/ Directorate General of Antiquities with respect to the two World Heritage sites of Tyre and Baalbek Lebanon. Within the framework of the Cultural Heritage and Urban Development (CHUD) project The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) is implementing archaeological works for the Ministry of Culture Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA) in the sites of Baalbek and Tyre. Implemented by international and national specialists with extensive experience in Cultural Resource Management and Preservation, the project design and execution is to be monitored by UNESCO. For this purpose, the CDR, the DGA and the Italian Cooperation Development Office have coordinated their action together with UNESCO-Beirut Office for launching the UNESCO Documentation & Advisory Services (UDAS) project. The UDAS aims to help the DGA in organizing high level technical workshops dedicated to the works in both the Baalbek and Tyre archaeological world heritage sites. These workshops will monitor the execution of works respecting the sites outstanding universal values, their integrity and authenticity, in respect with international standards of practice. Finally, the UDAS will assist the DGA in preparing the periodic reports as per UNESCO heritage site requirements, on the state of conservation of both sites.

8 Culture HAWER Program Participates in the 3 rd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue Under patronage of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in cooperation with UNESCO, UN Alliance of Civilizations, UN World Tourism Organization, Council of Europe, ISESCO, North-South Center of the Council of Europe the 3rd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue held on May in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. This time the World Forum with main title Culture and sustainable development in the post 2015 development agenda primarily focused on projects and programmes dedicated to the 21st of May World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, as well as the role of faith, religions, migration, sport, education, art, business in building trust and cooperation among cultures and civilizations. UNESCO Beirut Office, under the framework of HAWER Program, has participated in this Forum and took an active role in contributing to its agenda. Since promoting Intercultural Dialogue is a cornerstone of the UNESCO Beirut Office work in the region, a workshop on Partnering with the Community and Religious Leaders was organized by HAWER Program. International Jazz Day in Beirut: A message of peace and diversity For the third consecutive year, Beirut joined other cities around the globe in celebrating the International Jazz Day. On the 30 th of April, and under the patronage of UNESCO, Solidere organized a musical event in Youssef El Rami Street in downtown Beirut showcasing the best in local jazz talent. Six Lebanese Jazz bands performed in Downtown Beirut, bringing together thousands of young people, and conveying a clear message of peace and diversity through music. Now becoming a famous occasion, the International jazz Day also served to further promote the #unite4heritage campaign. Many young people attending the jazz concert took part in this campaign through social media platforms.

9 Communication & Information UNESCO Trains Arab Youth on Media Monitoring Methodology UNESCO Celebrates the World Press Freedom Day in Beirut Under the auspices of his Excellency the Minister of information, Mr. Ramsey Jreij, journalists, academics, jurists, and activists in the field of freedom of expression met in UNESCO Office in Beirut to mark the World Press Freedom Day under this year s theme: Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality and Media Safety in the Digital Age. Held on Monday, 4 May 2015, this seminar allowed participants to discuss key challenges currently facing the media and freedom of expression in Lebanon, through two panels: 1. Independent and quality media in the digital age 2. Challenges for freedom of expression in the digital age Dr. Hegazi Idris, Representative of Dr. Hamad Al-Hamami, the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, launched the event with opening notes. UNESCO Communication and Information programme Officer, George Awad, the UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, and HE Minister of information, Mr. Ramsey Jreij, made opening statements. Mr. Awad highlighted the significance of the World Press Freedom Day, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of UNESCO. He also referred to honoring Syrian journalist and freedom of expression activist, Mazen Darwish, in detention since February 2012, who won this year s UNESCO-Guillermo prize for Press Freedom in recognition of his work in Syria for more than ten years, and his great personal sacrifice, including travel bans and prosecution, frequent arrests and torture. In her statement, Ms. Kaag addressed reporters themselves: Lebanon can pride itself as having always been and remaining, despite all the pressure around you, an oasis of freedom of speech, she stated. Ghassan Hajjar, Bassam Abou Zeid, Najat Sharafeddine, Mohammed Najm, Imad Bazzi, and Diana Rhayem also spoke at this occasion, to discuss the different aspects of freedom of expression and the challenges it is facing in Lebanon, technically and legally. Marginalization and lack of coverage of youth related topics in mainstream media are major challenges that are preventing youth in Arab countries from achieving their full socio-economic and political potential. With their countries facing instability, along with other negative setbacks on various levels, there s an increasing need for internal dialogue, participation, and freedom of expression, while spaces and platforms dedicated for youth are decreasing. With the aim to contribute in the promotion of a fair and objective media coverage of information on young people, their rights, achievements and viewpoints, UNESCO Office in Beirut, with the support of the European Union and in partnership with MENA Media Monitoring, organized a subregional workshop on media monitoring methodology focused on youth and youthrelated themes. Participants emphasized the importance of such activities considering the current problems that the media and youth are facing. The training was implemented in the framework of the NET-MED Youth Project (Networks of Mediterranean Youth, ), in UNESCO Office in Beirut, from 30 March to 2 April Twenty four young men and women representatives of organizations that work on youth issues, media, and freedom of expression in targeted Arab countries joined the workshop.

10 Communication & Information Youth and Media in Lebanon 96% use their mobile phones while the television remains the most credible source In another step towards studying the complex relationship between youth and media in Lebanon, and in order to allow media institutions and youth organizations to better understand youth preferences and their use of the different media platforms, UNESCO Regional Bureau in Beirut held a press conference to present and discuss the results of the Survey on the knowledge & perception of Youth towards media in Lebanon at the Press club. TELEVISION: the main news source When asked about the kind of media that comes first to their mind, 59% of youth involved answered Television, compared to 28% for social media, and only 1% for Newspapers. Results showed 56% of the total considered the television as the best and most credential source to follow the news, compared to 27.5% for the internet. INTERNET: the Mobile age As expected, the internet has proven to be the most common media for the mass population of youth, with mobile phones constituting the main device to access the global network (96% of youth use mobile phones to surf the internet). Moreover, 95% of those respondents surf usually social networks, which shows once again the major importance of these channels in today s information society. NEWSPAPERS: Need for change Although the internet evolution is offering substantial opportunities for traditional media institutions, the survey showed only 13% of youth read newspapers. Only 3% considered the newspapers as the most credential source to follow the news, indicating lack of interest in this medium and hence, youth reliance on newspapers in its traditional printed version. RADIO: Losing the impact? Once a very popular medium among youth, the radio seems to be gradually losing this prominent place. Today, only 38% of the respondents listen to the radio, with music as the ultimate reason for that (95%). With this new role taking over the classic uses of radio, the question becomes on whether there is actually something to be done to regain its impact, or if it is a matter of adapting a totally new approach. This survey was carried out by UNESCO in cooperation with Statistics Lebanon, in the framework of the Mediterranean youth networks (NET-MED Youth) project, a UNESCO initiative funded by the European Union.

11 Social and Special Human Themes Science Regional Workshop on Youth Participation in Policy Process: Towards an effective involvement in national policy formulation Empowering youth and enabling them to play an active role within their societies is considered to be a main priority for UNESCO. Within its efforts to promote a greater involvement for youth in planning and decision-making in their respective countries, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab states organized a regional workshop in Beirut entitled: Youth participation in policy process: From monitoring projects to policies in the Arab region. Over 30 ministry officials and NGO representatives from nine Arab countries met from 26 to 28 May 2015 in Beirut for this workshop focusing on three main objectives: Promoting the participatory policy process with regards to young men and women in the Arab region; Building the capacity of youth NGOs to take part in youth policy process; Providing knowledge sharing and networking opportunities among regional youth NGOs and stakeholders In the Arab region, youth participation and engagement is a priority, not only from human rights perspective but also for the sake of social, economic and political stability, said UNESCO Programme Specialist Seiko Sugita, in her opening speech. This is why UNESCO supports national processes and partners in formulating and implementing the youth policy, she added. The primary aim of the workshop is to share and learn from each other, and enhance our knowledge in applying monitoring tools and approaches in the policy implementation process, said Ms. Sugita, who confirmed that this workshop comes in the context of achieving the main common goal: to promote youth participation and empowerment in the fast and slow evolving context of Arab societies. Over three days, participants took part in lively sessions to discuss the different aspects of drawing effective youth policies. Case studies and good practices from Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Morocco, Bahrain, and Mauritania were showcased, as policy experts from all over the Arab world shared their experiences in youth policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

12 Social and Human Science Integrating people with special needs in emergency responses in Lebanon and Syria As the conflict in Syria enters its fourth year, it has produced one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history, with millions forced to flee their homes looking for safety. While the impact of the crisis on children has received significant attention, the same is not true for other potentially highly vulnerable population groups. Recent reports are reflecting a bleak picture for refugees with specific needs: they are twice as likely as the general refugee population to report signs of psychological distress. In the framework of UNESCO s response to support refugees and host communities in addressing the challenges imposed by the Syrian crisis, and with the aim to allow vulnerable populations to benefit from ongoing aid programmes, UNESCO Office in Beirut organized a sub-regional training workshop on Mainstreaming disability and Monitoring & Evaluation in humanitarian responses in Lebanon and Syria. A group of Lebanese and Syrian experts and social workers met in UNESCO Office in Beirut to participate in this training between 11 and 15 May 2015, allowing the formation of a team of trainers able to work on integration of people with special needs in the programmes and project in response to the Syrian crisis. During this 5 day training, these participants were introduced to the different contexts related to special needs, and to the different integration approaches. These experts were also offered the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and practical skills in terms of developing and applying integration tools in the framework of various projects and programmes, in addition to the design and implementation of training courses. Upcoming Events (July - September 2015) EASE Project Orientation and Planning Meeting; Beirut, July 2015 NETMED Coordination and Strategic Planning Workshop; Beirut, July 2015 Improving inventories of built and movable cultural heritage; Berlin, July and August 2015 Online training course for Arab Digital Journalists; August 2015 National Seminar on Work and Life Skills for Youth in Lebanon, Beirut, 11 August 2015 Ethics Teachers' Training Course; Tunis, September 2015 Education 2030 Agenda Regional Information and Advocacy Meeting; Cairo, September 2015