Launching the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work for 2011

Under the auspices of Dr. Ali Abdallah, the Minister of Youth and Sport, LOST launched the “Academy of Youth and Municipal Work” for the first season of the year 2011 on January 15, 2011 at Tammouz Hall- Baalbeck. Several political, social and municipal figures attended the event with massive participation of youth and their parents in addition to remarkable presence of many Mukhtars and CSO representatives.
Dr. Ramy Lakkis announced the new programs offered by the Academy for the year 2011, and explained the importance of conducting such programs in Baalbeck-Hermel. In his speech, Dr. Lakkis affirmed that through these programs LOST aims at engaging youth and helping them to become active citizens capable of participating energetically in public life. “These programs, he added, have new methodological approaches that involve youth in instigating positive change in society.”
Dr. Lakkis added that the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work is part of LOST’s strategy in 1) helping people to participate in the development of their society, 2) in demanding national governmental institutions to perform their roles in solving various problems of a deprived region such as Baalbeck-Hermel, and 3) in cooperating with international donors in order to implement new developmental projects at grass-root levels.
At the end, Dr. Lakkis presented the general programs of LOST for the first season of 2011 which includes: women’s empowerment courses, English and computer training courses for youth and teachers, in addition to several social and developmental activities.
Dr. Lakkis’ speech was followed with a speech by the Minister of Youth and Sport Dr. Ali Abdallah who stressed on the role of LOST in developing the skills of youth in different domains. Dr. Abdallah thanked LOST for her generous efforts and hoped that “all the Lebanese ministries and institutions work in the same spirit.”
In his turn, the Kaemakam of Baalbeck Mr. Omar Yasin said that LOST goes ahead in its national course. He added “LOST launches today the project of the Academy of Municipal Work due to the significance of the municipal works in developing local societies”, and he hoped that the Academy can maintain itself as a long term project.
At the end, Dr. Abdullah, Mr.  Yasin and Dr Lakkis  handed “Thank You” letters to the journalists of Baalbeck-Hermel for their efforts in servicing their society.

“Learn by Visit”: Youth Municipalities of LOST visited 3 municipalities in Lebanon

As part of the program “Academy of Youth and Municipal Work” three visits were conducted by youth from three different Youth Municipalities in Hermel, Fakeha and Baalbeck in December 2010 and January 2011. The purposes of the visits were 1) to engage youth from Baalbeck-Hermel in municipal affairs outside their villages in order to help them know and learn more about successful municipal work and projects, 2) to help youth visit different places in Lebanon in order to understand positively the confessional diversity of their country.

The Youth Municipality of Hermel headed by the director of El Hermel Branch, Mr. Hasan Taha visited the municipality of Zahle where they met the mayor Mr. Joseph Maalouf .The youth discussed with Mr. Maalouf different issues focusing on the role of municipalities in promoting local development. After the meeting the Youth Municipality visited Joseph Skaff Park, the municipal library and the tour ended by a lunch in Anjar.

The Youth Municipality of Fakeha chaired by Mr. Abbas Hajj Hussein, the director of Al Ain Branch visited the municipality of Rashaya and met the mayor General Marwan Zaky on 28 December at 9 am.  After accepting the purpose of the visit, the Mayor estimated the essential role of LOST in educating youth on national values and in helping them to become Lebanese active citizens. Mr. Marwan Zaky explained to youth the role of the municipality in building a stable community on the basis of “equality, justice and tolerance”.

On January 7, youth from the Academy in Baalbeck visited the municipality of Tyre. They were welcomed by the Mayor Mr. Hasan Dbouk. After discussing the various municipal affairs with the municipal members, the youth toured in Tyre and discovered the archaeological sites and the waterfront of the city.

 

These visits had a special taste. They helped youth to learn about the importance of municipal work by discovering successful experiences and meeting peoples who had real success in the field. Moreover, the discussions made allowed youth to understand more about the powers and authorities of municipalities in managing community affairs.