Launching NGOs Training Program in Bekaa

On Friday February 25, The Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training launched in Baalbeck a specific training program for Bekaa NGOs in the presence of Mr Omar Yassin, the Kaemakam of Baalbeck and representatives of more than 40 NGOs from Baalbeck-Hermel region. After the Lebanese Anthem, Mr Ahmad Tfaily from LOST welcomed the audience and explained the program and its objectives.

“The purpose of this program is to empower local NGOs to become active agents and institutions in encouraging positive change in the region” he said.  Mr Tfaily’s welcoming note was followed by a speech delivered by Mr Omar Yassin who stressed the role of civil society organizations in promoting local development. He added “we are always used to creative and innovative programs and activities that LOST is doing in the region, however, this program has a special consideration because it involves more than 40 NGOs in the region. I believe that such projects can have a great impact on human development in Bekaa.”

 The objective of the NGOs Training Program is to empower local NGOs from Baalbeck-Hermel and to develop their managerial and technical skills. The program is made up of six training workshops as follows:

1. How to manage an NGO
2. How to write a project proposal
3. Two workshops on social media training
4. Managing communication and media relations
5. NGO Networking.

Mr salah Zaiter, LOST’s training director lead the first workshop on NGO Management in which he presented to participants different models of management, and he explained how to establish an NGO according to Lebanese laws. Mr Zaiter also distributed to participants different specimen that could be needed to uphold legally an NGO in Lebanon. At the end of the workshop LOST created a blog for the NGOs Training Program.

 The workshop was followed by a lunch at Baytna restaurant. The second workshop will be on Sunday March 6 at 10 am at the center of the Lebanese Youth Network in Ras El Ein, Baalbeck.

Youth are planting trees in Baalbeck

As part of the “Academy of Youth and Municipal Work“ program that LOST is conducting for the academic year 2010-2011 in the region of Baalbeck-Hermel, the Youth Municipalities of Baalbeck, Chmestar, El Fakha  and El Hermel  launched a forestation  campaign in Baalbeck on Saturday 19 February 2011.

Youth from the Academy of Baalbeck decided to launch the campaign in the campus of the Lebanese University-Faculty of Science in Baalbeck with a massive participation of youth from the Lebanese University, youth clubs and the Youth Municipality of Baalbeck. While a group of youth was planting trees in Baalbeck other group was planting in Iaat in collaboration with the municipality of Iaat. More than 75 trees were planted in the same day by more than fifty members of the Academy and their friends.
Such campaign aims at achieving environmental benefits and consolidating youth belonging to their country. “The involvement of youth in public work and their participation in such activities reinforce their patriotism and strengthen their relationship with the community” added Omar Bayan, a youth coordinator in Baalbeck.

Youth participating in the campaign carried different messages and believed that the event was more than planting trees. “I am here today to participate in protecting the environment and I work with other friends in the Academy to strengthen the spirit of cooperation and partnership among youth from different sects,” said Mohamad Othman a young member of the Academy of Municipal Work.
 
“We found out that the more we work together, the better we serve our community” was a statement repeated by many students of the Academy.

Youth from Chmestar visited the Municipality of Baakleen

 As part of the “Academy of Youth and Municipal Work” program that LOST is conducting for the academic year 2010-2011, the Youth Municipality of Chmestar visited the municipality of Baakleen where they met the mayor Dr. Noha Ghasini and other municipality members.

Dr. Ghasini stressed on the importance of local governance to promote balanced development in Lebanon. She discussed with youth the various projects implemented by the municipality in Baakleen such as the waste management plant and the agricultural research center. The mayor valued highly the role of LOST in helping youth to engage in municipal affairs and make them learn more about the responsibilities and authorities of municipalities in managing community affairs.

After meeting the municipality, the youth toured in Baakleen and visited the different sites of the city; they were impressed by the national library of Baakleen where they had the longest stopover.

At the end of this visit, the Director of Beit-Shama Branch Mr. Hussein Yazbeck handed a honoring shield to the mayor of Baakleen Dr. Noha Ghasini and thanked her on behalf of LOST for hosting the youth municipality of Chmestar.

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. 

Celebrating Human Rights Day at Al Ain Branch

“We highly estimate your nice gesture and your role in consolidating youth belongingness to their country”, by this expression, the MP Dr. Marwan Fares expressed his gratitude to LOST which organized an eminent ceremony on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights at Al Ain Branch.
In his speech, the MP Mr. Marwan Fares stressed on the importance of assuring women rights and improving the status of prisons in Lebanon.
In addition, Mr. Mohammad Sokariya from LOST delivered a speech in which he spoke about the importance of celebrating human rights in the region, and he considered that such events help in the dissemination of Human Rights values. He thanked USAID/OTI Lebanon, the Ministry of Education and the various high schools and technical institutions in Lebanon that are in partnership with LOST in this program.  He finally addressed the audience by declaring that “it is our mission all to help developing the talents of youth and enhancing their belongingness to their country”.
The event ended by a play performed by students of the Academy reflecting their understanding of human rights values and application.

150 Youth celebrate Human Rights Day together

LOST organized a special ceremony on the International Day of Human Rights at El Hermel Branch in the presence of several social, political and municipal figures in addition to more than 150 students from the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work.
The exhibition included graphics, handicrafts and plays created by students which reflected their various expressions of human rights principles.
“It is the first time that we celebrate the International Day of Human Rights”, was a statement repeated by many students of the Academy.

Mr. Shemran El Rashiny from LOST delivered a speech in which he emphasized the role of the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work in spreading the culture of peace in the region and in helping all youth to become Lebanese active citizens.
In his turn, General Dr. Abbas Nasrallah said that human rights are the basis of laws in all countries. These rights represent a turning point in the dignity of human being and his/her personal liberties.
At the end, students showed different graphics and handicrafts prepared for the occasion. “It was an event of special taste in Hermel.”

Human Rights Day at Beit Shama Branch

LOST celebrated the International Day of Human Rights on December 19, 2010 at Beit Shama branch with massive participation of youth from the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work. Mr Ahmad Diab, the General Director of Vocational and Technical Education attended the event in addition to several academic, political and municipal figures.
“I felt overwhelmed by this crowd and I really felt exited to be one of the organizers of this big event”, said a youth club student.
Mr. Hussein Yazbeck, Director of Beit Shama Branch delivered a speech in which he considered that human rights principles should be the basic values of each society. He stressed the importance of the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work in educating youth on peace, tolerance and human rights and in developing their skills by using modern technological tools in computer and social media. Mr. Yazbeck thanked the General Director of Vocational and Technical Education and all participants for their generous support.

Mr. Yazbeck’s speech was followed with a speech by Mr. Ahmad Diab who stressed on the role of Lebanon in drafting the International Declaration of Human Rights.
At the end, Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST handed a honoring shield to the General Director of Vocational and Technical Education Mr. Ahmad Diab.

The Lebanese Army thanked LOST

“We highly estimate your generous sensations” by this expression, the Lebanese Army Commander, General Jean Kahwaji expressed his gratitude to LOST.

Dear the Administration of the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training,
We highly estimate your nice gesture to invite the children of the Lebanese Army’s martyrs to attend the special ceremony on Independence Day on November 21, 2010 at King Restaurant-Baalbeck.

As we considerably estimate your sincere patriotism and your genuine solidarity with the military institution, we hope for your generous organization the continuance of prosperity and success.

                                                                 

General Jean Kahwajy
The Lebanese Army Commander
Yarze, on November 29, 2010

Human Rights Day at Baalbeck

“The International Day of Human Rights is my Day!” was the label of an event organized by the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work on December, 11, 2010 at Tammouz Hall –Baalbeck in the presence of Mr. Kameel Semaan representing the General Director of the Ministry of Education Mr. Fadi Yarak and Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST. Several academic, political and municipal figures attended the event in addition to more than 300 high school students from Baalbeck.
 “This is the first time that we celebrate the International Day of Human Rights” was a statement repeated by many students of the Academy.
Mr. Salah Zayter from LOST delivered a speech in which he considered that “the International Day of Human Rights represents a turning point in the dignity of human being and his/her personal liberties”. Mr. Zayter stressed on the importance of the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work in educating youth on peace, tolerance and human rights and in developing their skills in using modern technological tools in computer, social media and Internet in general.
Mr. Zayter’s speech was followed successively with a speech by Mr. Kameel Semaan who thanked LOST for her nice gesture and her role in consolidating youth belongingness to their country, and a play Majless al Wali  performed by youth from the Lebanese Association of Students LAS.
The event ended by offering  a honoring shield to the General Director of the Ministry of Education represented by Mr. Kameel Semaan.