LOST and Saints Coeurs, Baallbeck Preach for Women Political Empowerment

A seminar entitled "Women's Participation in Public Life" was organized by the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST) in collaboration with Khalil Motran secondary high school (Saints Coeurs) in the auditorium of the high school in Baalbeck on June 2nd, 2015. In the presence of more than 200 participants that range from municipality members, Saints Coeurs administration and staff, school principals and educators, delegates of society associations and interested individuals, Dr. Rami Lakkis, founder and president of LOST, presented a discourse that highlighted the significance of women engagement in public affairs all in all and specifically in political life.

Dr. Lakkis emphasized that participation is a fundamental principle of development. Sustainable human development is to look at people as actors in the process of social change, and not just beneficiaries who receive results without the active participation. He also added that the concept of “participation interlinked with empowerment” is also a part of the development components.

He believed that the participation of women in public life promotes free citizenship, fosters the formation of civil society and gender balance, and contributes to the empowerment of women and thus promoting stability in society. In addition, he stated that women's participation in public work at the individual and social levels increases women’s capacity and positions in all areas and promotes a sense of responsibility, public awareness and faith in their capabilities.

Toward the end of the seminar, Dr. Lakkis opened the space for a progression of related Q&A where the interested audience demonstrated an extraordinary enthusiasm for the point and gratefulness for the new approach. On his end, Dr. Lakkis expressed gratitude toward the audience for their dynamic participation.