UNESCO - Beirut NEWSLETTER January - March 2015 2015: Embracing the Challenge, Expanding the Impact In the midst of turmoil, conflict, insecurity, deteriorating conditions, and record numbers of refugees, the start of 2015 represented for UNESCO Office in Beirut an ultimate challenge. With the support and determination of our generous partners, we were able to embrace these challenges as our interventions in Education, Culture, Sciences, and Communication and Information, reached new levels geographically and qualitatively. Education in the Arab States Social Human Sciences Culture Communication & Information Youth are a main priority in 2015. Throughout pioneering programmes, such as the Net-Med project and the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Programme for a Culture of Peace and Dialogue, UNESCO office in Beirut conducted a number of training workshops and seminars that focus on enabling youth to design and initiate intercultural dialogue schemes. Additionally, celebrating World Radio Day this year, Notre Dame University students took the microphone of Voix du Liban to produce their own show and voice their concerns in another unique experience. The new Sharm Sheikh Statement marks a milestone in educational development in the region, and a key contribution towards setting the world s post 2015 agenda in the upcoming World Education Forum in Incheon, Republic of Korea, next May. At the same time, UNESCO upscaled its support to governments and host communities affected by the Syrian crisis. Additionally, with the escalation in acts of destruction, looting and illicit trafficking of cultural properties in Syria, the whole world risks to permanently lose a unique heritage. UNESCO is, thus, leading prominent efforts to address these threats, while also launching several campaigns to increase the level of engagement and awareness worldwide. Finally, on behalf of our team in UNESCO Office in Beirut, I invite you to further explore our main events and activities through our first newsletter in 2015. Moreover, with such an ideal and productive commencement and a very busy schedule ahead, we have set the solid base for what seems to be yet another year of achievements ahead. Special Themes
Education in the Arab States Sharm El Sheikh Statement: Setting the scene for education post-2015 Building effective channels for regional cooperation, advancing quality education and lifelong learning, and advocating for education provision in countries affected by conflict and those hosting refugees to be accepted as a global responsibility, are among the main highlights of the Sharm El Sheikh Statement that Arab ministers of education adopted today, concluding the Arab Regional Conference for Education post-2015. After three days of lively debates, ministers, officials, and representatives from international and regional organizations, NGOs and education experts from the Arab region agreed on significant recommendations on the education Agenda for post-2015, and committed themselves to a new regional approach manifested in the Statement: Recognizing the challenges our region encounters [ ] we will strive to ensure the integration of education priorities within the broader development frameworks of our countries, and national development agendas, as well as sustaining political support at its highest levels and enhancing social mobilization given its paramount importance. Throughout this major conference, education leaders in the Arab region, with the assistance of UNESCO and other EFA partners, managed to address main educational challenges common to their countries, pledging to take tangible steps towards enhancing regional partnership, establishing new mechanisms to finance education through exploring public and private partnerships, and prioritizing equity and access to education for marginalized populations, particularly girls, through inclusive national and regional strategies. Speaking during this event, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Dr. Qian Tang, stressed the need for urgent and inclusive educational responses, as the Arab region faces a surge in numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons due to instability, drastically undermining the right to education. Dr. Tang called upon education ministers in the Arab countries to join efforts in order to advocate for education needs of children and youth in conflict zones, and advance them in national agendas, considering this as a crucial first step, that will eventually help the Arab countries gather international support for this cause, particularly through its integration in the discussions of the post 2015 Agenda that will take place during the World Education Forum in Incheon, Republic of Korea, next May. The Director of UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States, Dr. Hamed Al- Hammami, stated that Education is key to achieve sustainable peace and development in the Arab countries. As much as education can play a role in building up tolerant and peaceful societies, lack of education for youth and high dropout rates due to conflict jeopardize the future of a whole generation, and are a major threat to stability, added Dr. Al- Hammami.
2015 Education in the Arab States While the Statement highlights the central importance of equity and quality in education, a special attention was accorded to education in times of conflict. Arab ministers call upon UNESCO, in collaboration with the EFA co-convening agencies and other partners, to continue leading the coordination of the development of the post-2015 education agenda and the corresponding Framework for Action. Arab leaders also recommended that UNESCO continue to provide technical support for the implementation, monitoring and enhancing accountability of the future post-2015 education agenda [ ] and working to mobilize the adequate financial resources to support educational systems afflicted by crises and conflicts in the region and advocating to support education for all. المو تمر ا قليمي للدول العربية حول التربية ما بعد 2015: تحقيق جودة التعليم والتعل م المستدام للجميع شرم الشيخ - جمهورية مصر العربية - 27 29 كانون الثاني/يناير 2015 Arab States Regional Conference on Education Post - 2015: Towards Quality Education and Lifelong Learning for All Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt, 27-29 January 2015 ICTs and Entrepreneurship: a training workshop for Arab teachers in Tunisia In the framework of the coordinated educational response between UNESCO and ALECSO in the Arab region, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab states, in cooperation with ALECSO and the Virtual University in Tunis, organized The regional workshop for the development of training materials and programmes for teachers and trainers on entrepreneurship education in the Arab region, from 24 to 26 February 2015 in Tunis. Around 40 officials and experts from 15 Arab States representing different programmes in secondary education, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), as well as university and technical institutions teachers and trainers formation programmes participated in this workshop. ALECSO director general, Dr. Abdullah Hamad Muhareb and director of UNESCO regional bureau for Education in the Arab States, Dr. Hamed Al- Hammami, also attended the opening ceremony. In an era where technological development is dictating new trends, particularly in education, this workshop aimed to design and produce Entrepreneurship training models for teachers and trainers (in public schooling, and TVET), based on the use of communication and information technologies (ICTs) and innovative learning models. It also sought to make these models available on the internet and other networks as open resources for education and in several languages; set (digital) programmes for training courses to support professional growth of teachers and trainers in the field of Entrepreneurship education; and establish a network of Entrepreneurship education experts through the use of ICTs, benefiting from the expertise of virtual universities (distance learning). The workshop was organized in accordance with the international Mobile Learning Week, focusing this year on the use of mobile phones applications to educate women and girls, particularly those living in remote areas.
Education in the Arab States Bridging Learning Gaps for Youth : Enhancing Access to Secondary Education and quality results for youth affected by the Syria Crisis The conflict in Syria is entering its fifth year and has created a profound humanitarian and development crisis, leaving a devastating impact on access to quality education in countries affected. From the beginning of conflict, more than 3 million children and youth have been forced out of school in Syria, while the latest region-wide analysis indicates a learning gap of nearly up to 70% for the generation of Syrian refugee youth, aged 15 to 30 years. In Lebanon and Jordan, more than 300 thousand Syrian youth are victims of the ongoing conflict. Deprived from the most basic rights and due to the lack of prospects and opportunities, these young citizens are vulnerable and socially and economically abused. Their right to education remains hindered. Implemented by UNESCO offices in Beirut and Amman, this project will provide support to youth affected by the Syria to access and complete secondary education in Lebanon through: The provision of support packages for 1,500 secondary education students (including tuition and transportation fees); and a regularly updated needs analysis; Empowering schools to accommodate youth affected by the Syria crisis, and training teachers and school administrators; Enhancing capacities of central and local education authorities; and Promoting experience and knowledge sharing at the regional level. Capitalizing on the achievements made so far and stressing the need for a holistic and sustained assistance to education systems affected by the Syria crisis, UNESCO is scaling up its response. In partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education, UNESCO office in Beirut launched the EASE initiative: Enhancing Access to Secondary Education and Quality Results for Youth Affected by the Syria Crisis. This endeavour comes as part of UNESCO s Bridging the Learning Gaps for the Youth Strategy, which seeks to address unmet needs in the overall educational response to the Syrian crisis, by focusing on accelerating access to quality education for young people affected by the crisis, bringing back quality at the heart of learning and strengthening education systems for resilience.
Social & Human Sciences Exploring the potential of social sciences research in the Arab region UNESCO. the Arab Council for Social Sciences (ACSS), Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO), and the International Social Sciences Council (ISSC), organized roundtables to reflect, debate, and support social sciences research in the Arab region. Held over the period of two days from 14 to 15 March 2015, in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon, this activity highlighted two essential global priorities: Inequalities and Social Justice in the Post-2015 Agenda and Bringing Youth into the Social Sciences. comes as part of the 2nd conference of the Arab Council for Social Sciences on the theme of Questioning Social Inequality and Difference in the Arab Region. Speakers from UNESCO, CLASCO, and the ISSC addressed researchers and members of the Arab Council to inform them on the work conducted by UNESCO under the aegis of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme related to the Post- 2015Development Agenda. Participants also discussed the preparation of the 2015 World Social Science Forum ( to be held in Durban, South Africa, from 13 to 16 September 2015), as well as the planning of the 2016 World Social Science Report (WSSR). With increasing levels of severe poverty, repression, conflict, displacement and military occupations, structures of inequality continue to deepen on the global, regional and local levels, while social and cultural differences start to raise issues of discrimination and inequity. As a reaction, intensifying forms of global and local protests, movements, insurgencies and resistance emerged. Introducing youth in Syria and Lebanon to successful volunteerism In the framework of UNESCO activities to support youth policies and participation, UNESCO office in Beirut and Makhzoumi Foundation organized from 5 to 8 February 2015 a training workshop on Volunteers management targeting Syrian and Lebanese youth organizations. The workshop regrouped twenty four members of youth led and youth targeting organizations in Syria and Lebanon, and was conducted by specialized trainers from Makhzoumi foundation. Youth volunteerism, properly managed and empowered can help the society to explore and apply innovative approaches to social justice and social cohesion, stated Seiko Sugita, Programme Specialist in UNESCO. There s excess in volunteers in Lebanon and Syria with a deficiency in volunteer management skills said Imad Shmaitelly, the trainer from Makhzoumi Foundation, stressing that, for youth, this training is a major added value in the world of community service and civic engagement. Building on previous achievements of UNESCO and UNV, this activity also aimed to empower the networking skills of Lebanese and Syrian youth organizations, particularly in terms of promoting social cohesion in the time of conflict situations.
UNESCO Trains Syrian Professionals on Securing Heritage With the persisting crisis in Syria, and as the humanitarian and security situation continues to deteriorate, concerns over the protection of the Syrian cultural heritage have increased considerably. In response to this prevailing alarming situation, UNESCO Office in Beirut is leading significant efforts to help safeguarding the Syrian cultural heritage and protect it from increasing acts of destruction, illicit excavations and looting, while training experts and staff in local institutions on effectively preparing for the post conflict and recovery phase. The Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage project is one of those key initiatives. Funded by the European Union with the support of the Flemish Government, the Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage is conducted in coordination with the Syrian Directorate- General of Museums and Antiquities (DGAM), and implemented in partnership with the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). Securing movable heritage In the framework of this project, UNESCO Office in Beirut organized a Training to protect movable heritage during and after the conflict and protect the museums from looting. This training was held from 26 to 30 January 2015, and was mainly addressed to Syrian heritage professionals in charge of the protection of museum collections, manuscripts, archives, books, etc. Experts from DGAM, UNESCO, INTERPOL, International Council of Museums (ICOM), and Blue Shield were present. Experts meet in UNESCO Beirut Office to discuss inventories of cultural heritage in Syria Updating inventories and locating documentation are fundamental measures with respect to cultural heritage preservation, especially during the on-going crisis in Syria and in preparation for the post-conflict recovery phase. To address this critical issue, the UNESCO Office in Beirut organised a Meeting on Improving Inventories of Built, Movable and Intangible Cultural Heritage from 16 to 18 February 2015. More than 20 Syrian and international experts specialised in heritage inventories and documentation attended this meeting. Among the participants were representatives from the Syrian Directorate-General of Museums and Antiquities (DGAM), UNESCO, the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Committee for Documentation of Cultural Heritage (CIPA), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the International Council of Museums (ICOM)- the International Committee for Documentation (CIDOC), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), the German Archaeological Institute, the Institut français du Proche-Orient (Ifpo), the Saint-Joseph University - Beirut, as well as representatives of SHIRIN (Syrian Heritage in Danger: an International Research Initiative & Network) and the Arches Project. Organized under the Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage project, the meeting aimed at creating new synergies of collaboration among the participating entities and ensuring operational and accurate post-recovery planning. Through presentations, discussions and thematic working groups, each institution shared information on its current and future initiatives, gave an overview of its inventories and discussed concrete measures to improve and share them.
The five-day programme covered areas such as the illicit trafficking of cultural objects, legal frameworks, museum disaster risk management, objects, archives and manuscripts conservation. The training also included practical components such as a museum disaster risk assessment exercise, simulations and hands-on exercises on object manipulation, evacuation, packing and storing, in addition to a flood simulation and exercises on the manipulation of wet objects. Saving the Syrian living heritage Realizing that international treaties and conventions remain an integral tool for safeguarding cultural heritage in times of armed conflict, UNESCO Office in Beirut organized under the same project a training workshop from 9 to 13 February 2015, to familiarize participants with the concept of intangible cultural heritage and raise their awareness regarding the key safeguard measures with emphasis on community participation, and tools integrated in the UNESCO 2003 Convention. The Training on the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage provided to around 25 Syrian professionals specialized expertise that enable them to carry out an initial needs assessment, and identify key applicable activities in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Through its rich and diversified agenda, UNESCO hopes for this workshop to constitute a first milestone towards the elaboration of a more comprehensive approach and agree on a number of significant measures to protect the Syrian intangible heritage inside Syria and abroad, stated UNESCO Representative to Lebanon & Syria Dr. Hamed Al-Hammami. This seminar is the first of its kind in a region plagued by conflict said Annie Tohmé-Tabet, professor at Saint-Joseph University in Beirut. One of the main achievements in this workshop is that we were able to make a sort of diagnostic of the aspects threatening intangible cultural heritage in Syria, said Hani Hayajneh, professor at Yarmouk University- Jordan. The training was facilitated by UNESCO s accredited experts and trainers for the 2003 Convention about intangible heritage. Director-General called for the protection of Bosra s cultural heritage On 25 March, as armed conflict has escalated in Bosra, Syria, the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, called on all parties involved to act for the protection of the city s invaluable cultural heritage. According to reports, parts of the World Heritage site of Bosra have been damaged by fighting. It is imperative to avoid exposing Syria s cultural heritage, including World Heritage, to further destruction or damage, said Irina Bokova. World Heritage represents the shared memory of humanity and must be given protection and respected by all parties in a conflict. The UN Security Council, in its resolution 2139 (2014), had explicitly called on all parties to take appropriate steps to ensure the protection of Syria s World Heritage Sites. I call on all parties to act for the protection of Bosra s unique cultural heritage and appeal to all to refrain from any military use or targeting of cultural heritage sites and monuments, in respect of international obligations, said Ms. Bokova. The World Heritage site of the Ancient City of Bosra, once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia, was an important stopover on the ancient caravan route to Mecca. A magnificent 2nd-century Roman theatre, early Christian ruins and several mosques, are found within its great walls.
Communication & Information UNESCO and youth celebrate the World Radio Day in Style Under this year s theme Youth and Radio, and with the aim to promote greater participation of youth in radio, UNESCO Beirut, in collaboration with Notre Dame University and Radio Voice of Lebanon, celebrated World Radio Day 2015 through giving the chance to youth to produce and present their own radio programme. The programme, broadcast on Radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3 FM) on 13 February 2015, highlighted Lebanese youth concerns, opinions, achievements and dreams, while it represented the ideal opportunity for them to raise their voice and express their views. Although youth constitute 40% of the general population in Lebanon, the Radio is still not capable of effectively reflecting their opinions and voices on the different issues and challenges they face in their societies, stated George Awad, UNESCO CI Programme manager. This show represents an ideal opportunity for young men and women to express their opinions freely, he added commenting on this event. On the other hand, the programmes manager in Radio Voice of Lebanon Chadi Maalouf praised this experience, considering that it complements the station s core message. We are extremely happy to take part in this partnership and to have provided this space to NDU students. They expressed in their own ways and on their own responsibilities their views and ideas regarding the radio production, stated Maalouf. Giving a voice for Syrian refugees in Lebanon: One thousand radios to bridge the information gap Within its mandate to promote freedom of expression and free access to information, UNESCO Office in Beirut, in partnership with UNHCR, launched last December a campaign to disseminate 1000 Radios to refugees across Lebanon. The radio distribution campaign comes to compliment previous successful endeavours conducted in the framework of Enabling a freedom of expression environment in the Arab region ; a project implemented by UNESCO through a generous fund from the governments of Finland and Sweden. Under this project, UNESCO and Radio Voice of Lebanon (VoL - 93.3.FM) launched in April 2014 Nouzouh w Houmoum (The refugees and their concerns), a radio programme targeting Syrian refugees as well as Lebanese host communities. Broadcasted every Thursday from 3 to 4 PM, the programme, highlights a particular topic or problem with a guest in studio backed up by reports from the field conducted by Syrian youth who received radio reporting and techniques training by UNESCO. Radio is the most easily accessible and commonly used form of media that we have. It is an inexpensive medium that requires relatively simple technology and its reach extends from policy makers to remote communities and marginalized groups. Currently, too few programmes focus on the concerns of younger generations. This lack of youth participation is made worse by the fact that a career in radio journalism is often difficult and underpaid, regularly requiring aspiring journalists to work for free. In addition to this, young professionals, including journalist and fixers, are particularly at risk in conflict areas because of their lack of
Special Themes Gender mainstreaming in youth related activities in Lebanon Effective youth participation in drawing national policies is regarded by UNESCO as an essential cornerstone in building a sustainable and inclusive future. With youth constituting up to more than half of the total population in much of the challenged Arab region, UNESCO is keen on dedicating considerable efforts towards youth empowerment and education, and their inclusion in decision making processes. Within the framework of its NET-MED Youth Project, funded by European Union (EU), UNESCO Beirut Office in cooperation with British Council organized from 8 to 11 January 2015 a training workshop in the Lebanese capital aiming to develop the capacity of local NGOs in mainstreaming gender into youth-led advocacy in social cohesion in Lebanon. twenty-two young officers from more than twelve national NGOs working in Lebanon, particularly in social cohesion and community development and related fields participated in this workshop. Over 4 days, those officers participated in several sessions conducted by international experts from the British Council, the National Commission for Lebanese Women, the Youth Forum and ABAAD during which they were introduced to the various tools, relevant policy frameworks related to gender equality and youth empowerment, good practices and methodologies generally applied in mainstreaming gender in civil society and communitarian activity. The workshop comes after launching the NET- MED project last June. As part of the Southern Mediterranean countries, Lebanon shares common challenges related to the social inclusion of youth, such as high unemployment and weak labour market, lack of participation of young women, low representation in public and political spheres, disinterest in civic engagement, exclusion from mainstream media and economic marginalization. NET-MED Youth is a UNESCO- EU joint response to these issues, built on an analysis of youth aspirations and needs in each partner country from the region. Through this pioneering programme, UNESCO aims to improve the access and effective participation of youth in developing and implementing national strategies and policies affecting young women and men.
Intercultural Dialogue Competences : Cherishing diversity, refining leadership UNESCO and the Lebanese American University in Beirut (LAU) joined efforts to hold a seminar on Intercultural Dialogue Competences - a new accredited course designed by UNESCO Beirut in the framework of HAWER - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Programme for a Culture of Peace and Dialogue. Held in UNESCO office in Beirut from 17 to 19 March 2015, the seminar introduced 20 students and young civil society leaders taking part in the Leaders for Democracy (LDF) - fellowship Arabic programme to concepts and approaches of Intercultural Dialogue. The seminar was facilitated by UNESCO Advisor and former Minister of Social Affairs in Lebanon Dr. Selim Al-Sayegh, and focused on enhancing participants Communication and Dialogue Skills; critical inquiry and problem solving; while providing them with a practical approach in terms of perspectives and experiences so that the acquired skills could be adapted to real life situations. This programme aims to prepare and help develop the leadership capacities of young Arab Leaders to confront new and emerging political challenges in their region, stressed LDF programme coordinator Dr. Imad Salamey. It provides both academic and practical skills in promoting reforms through consensus building, conflict resolution, and constructive dialogue within diversities, added Dr. Salamey. Participants also highlighted the significance of this course, and the major change it had on their general perceptions. People tend to have certain stereotypes via other cultures, labeling other individuals before knowing them, stated Hussein from Kuwait. This course changes the way we perceive diversity, he added. Adel from Egypt also praised the impact of this course, considering that after this short experience, I realized that, when cherished and righteously invested, cultural diversity represents a major social and economic asset as it promotes constructive competition. It is somehow complementary. Upcoming Events (April - June 2015) Launching the #Unite4Heritage campaign in Lebanon, Tyr - Lebanon, 17 April 2015 World Press Freedom Day 2015, Beirut- Lebanon 4 May 2015 Launching and discussing the findings of the Global Monitoring Report for Education For All Beirut - Lebanon, 5 May 2015 Conference on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in the Arab States Cairo - Egypt, 15-16 April 2015 Supporting national dialogue on bioethics through a National Bioethics Committee (NBC) in the GCC countries, Kuwait, 17-18 May 2015 Enhancing Quality and Quality Assurance in Higher Education Systems of Arab States Beirut & Cairo, May - June 2015