SDG10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES
Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10) aims to reduce inequality within and among countries by ensuring equal opportunities and reducing inequalities of outcome. In Lebanon, inequality is a pressing issue, compounded by political instability, economic disparity, and social divisions along sectarian lines. SDG 10 seeks to address these systemic inequalities through policies that promote social inclusion, economic justice, and equitable access to resources. This report examines how the Lebanese government is working towards SDG 10 and explores how Beirut Arab University (BAU) is empowering underrepresented groups and promoting inclusivity within its academic community.
SDG 10 in Lebanon
- Economic Inequality
Lebanon suffers from one of the highest levels of income inequality in the Middle East, with a small percentage of the population controlling a disproportionate amount of wealth. Economic disparities are exacerbated by the ongoing financial crisis, which has severely impacted the middle and lower classes. The Lebanese lira’s collapse, inflation, and the banking sector’s dysfunction have widened the gap between the wealthy and the poor, pushing more people into poverty.
To address economic inequality:
Social Protection Programs: The Lebanese government has introduced some social assistance programs, including food aid, cash assistance for low-income households, and subsidies on essential goods. However, these programs have been criticized for being inadequately funded and poorly managed, often failing to reach the most vulnerable populations.
Minimum Wage and Labor Rights: The minimum wage in Lebanon has not kept up with inflation, making it insufficient for families to meet basic needs. The government has occasionally adjusted the minimum wage, but there is still a lack of comprehensive policies that ensure workers' rights and fair wages across sectors.
- Social and Sectarian Inequality
Sectarianism is a defining feature of Lebanon’s political and social landscape. Power-sharing arrangements among religious groups often lead to unequal access to resources, political representation, and employment opportunities. This system perpetuates divisions and fosters inequality across various sectarian groups.
The government’s efforts to address social and sectarian inequalities include:
Electoral Reform: Discussions about reforming Lebanon’s electoral law to create a more inclusive and representative political system are ongoing. However, changes have been slow due to the entrenched sectarian interests of political leaders.
Social Inclusion Programs: While some government initiatives focus on promoting social cohesion and reducing sectarian tensions, many of these efforts have been fragmented and have not addressed the root causes of inequality.
- Refugee Inequality
Lebanon hosts a large number of refugees, including over 1 million Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees. Refugees often face legal and social discrimination, limited access to basic services, and high levels of poverty.
The government’s approach to refugee inequality has been strained by limited resources and international support:
Limited Access to Services: Refugees have limited access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. While international organizations provide some support, the Lebanese government has been unable to offer comprehensive services due to its own financial struggles.
Policy on Refugee Integration: The government has not established a clear policy for the long-term integration of refugees. Instead, efforts have been focused on managing the immediate humanitarian needs of the refugee population.
SDG 10 at Beirut Arab University (BAU)
Beirut Arab University (BAU) plays a key role in promoting SDG 10 by fostering inclusivity and diversity within its student body, academic programs, and community engagement initiatives. The university actively works to empower underrepresented groups and provide equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their background.
- Scholarships and Financial Support
BAU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid packages designed to support students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. These initiatives aim to reduce financial barriers to higher education and ensure that talented students have access to quality education, regardless of their ability to pay.
Need-Based Scholarships: BAU provides need-based scholarships for students from low-income families, ensuring that they can pursue their studies without financial burdens.
Merit-Based Scholarships for High Achievers: The university also offers merit-based scholarships for academically talented students, helping to promote educational achievement and equal opportunities.
Through these efforts, BAU is reducing educational inequality and promoting social mobility for underrepresented groups.
- Inclusion of Refugees and International Students
BAU has made significant efforts to include refugees and international students in its educational programs. Recognizing the challenges faced by refugees in Lebanon, the university has:
Programs for Syrian Refugees: BAU offers educational programs and support services tailored to Syrian refugees, providing them with access to higher education, language courses, and vocational training.
Cultural Inclusion and Support: The university fosters an inclusive environment for international students by offering mentorship, cultural exchange programs, and dedicated support services to help students integrate into campus life.
These efforts aim to empower refugees and international students by providing them with the tools they need to succeed academically and socially.
- Gender Equality Initiatives
BAU is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women in education. The university has implemented policies that ensure equal access to academic programs and leadership opportunities for female students and staff. This includes:
Women in STEM: BAU actively encourages women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through targeted scholarships, mentorship programs, and workshops.
Gender Equity in Leadership: The university promotes gender equity in leadership positions within the university’s administration and faculty, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment.
These initiatives support SDG 10 by reducing gender-based inequalities and empowering women to reach their full potential.
- Student Empowerment and Civic Engagement
BAU places a strong emphasis on civic engagement and social responsibility, encouraging students to participate in initiatives that promote social justice and equality. The university’s civic engagement programs include:
Community Service Programs: BAU students are encouraged to engage in community service projects that address social inequalities, such as providing educational support to underprivileged children and organizing health campaigns in marginalized communities.
Student Clubs and Associations: The university supports a wide range of student-led clubs and associations that focus on issues related to equality, human rights, and social justice, providing a platform for students to advocate for change.
By empowering students to take an active role in addressing inequality, BAU is cultivating a generation of leaders committed to achieving SDG 10.
Conclusion
Lebanon faces significant challenges in addressing inequality, with economic, social, and sectarian divides creating barriers to achieving SDG 10. The government has implemented some initiatives aimed at reducing inequality, but progress has been slow due to political instability and limited resources. Beirut Arab University, on the other hand, has taken proactive steps to promote inclusivity and empower underrepresented groups. Through scholarships, programs for refugees, gender equality initiatives, and student engagement, BAU is making a meaningful contribution to reducing inequality and advancing the goals of SDG 10.
Disability Policy
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Sustainability/Disability-Policy
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Health-Sciences/Event/International-Day-of-Persons-with-Disabilities
The physical therapy department at the Faculty of Health Sciences - BAU celebrated the international day of persons with disabilities on the 1st of December 2016 in collaboration with Moussawat organization and the presence of Islamic Relief Lebanon.
Dr. Khaled El Takey started the event by a speech on how the community must fairly treat people with disabilities and that the potentials these people have are endless and must be exploited right.
Dr. Ibtissam Saab explained the role of physiotherapists in improving the quality of life for disabled people, followed by a speech for Mr. Kamel El Sabbah (head of Moussawat org) who talked for the first time about his disability and how it was a life-changing experience.
The last talk was for an astonishing girl about her everyday challenges with disability and her family support.
Finally an entertainment activity for the disabled children took place where children danced, colored and played with PT students, then gifts were distributed for the children and memorial pictures were taken.
BAU Awareness Raising Day for the Disabled
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/BAU-Awareness-Raising-Day-for-the-Disabled
Seeking to support the people with disabilities and to integrate them into the Lebanese society and economy via procuring the environment which meets their needs and capabilities in the job market, the Human Rights Centre at Beirut Arab University, together with the CRS Association and in cooperation with EDAN and Arcanciel, organized an awareness raising day concerning the people with disabilities in Lebanon.
On that day, students from the Faculty of Architectural Engineering presented an integrated engineering project for the development of the Hariri Building at BAU to meet all the needs of disabled people.
Students from the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences clarified the rights which the disabled enjoy according to Article (220) of the Lebanese Law which stipulates the necessity of procuring an environment suitable for the disabled to carry out their everyday life activities.
The Centre for Entrepreneurship at BAU participated in presenting the ways the disabled can execute the projects that meet their physical capabilities and how to raise the funds necessary for these projects.
Students from the Faculty of Arts elucidated the codes of conduct and behavior necessary to deal with disabled.
During the day, a dialogue was held in which Dr. Omar Houri gave a talk and some short movies were shown, shedding light on the obstacles that the disabled face in both the society and the job market. Moreover, some testimonies and speeches were presented by some disabled people calling for the rectification of some offensive expressions and abusive behaviors towards the disabled.
Mr. Fadi Al Halabi, the known activist and media figure, summarized the challenges that the disabled face, stating that there are 100,000 disabled people in Lebanon, 80% of whom suffer from unemployment and 60% from illiteracy. Ms. Fadia Farah, Head of the Lebanese Association for Self Advocacy, attributed the injustice of the job market towards the disabled to the absence of experience in setting and observing the laws concerned with the disabled.
In his turn, Mr. Ibrahim Abdallah, Head of the Disabled Union in Lebanon, criticized the governments inefficiency as related to the issue of the disabled, and accredited the achievements to the efforts exerted by the concerned associations actively involved in the field.
Iftar for children with disabilities
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Health-Sciences-Tripoli/Event/Iftar-for-children-with-disabilities
The Faculty of Health Sciences in Tripoli organized an Iftar for children with disabilities on 14/4/2022, in collaboration with Khayr Umma NGO and the Arab Union for Specialized Women. The event included entertainment games, a play about healthy lifestyle for kids and other activities in a joyful Ramadani atmosphore. The event was concluded with gift distribution and the children left the university premises after spending happy moments with the faculty students.
UN Marks 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights at BAU
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/UN-Marks-70th-Anniversary-of-Universal-Declaration-of-Human-Rights-at-BAU
Under the theme “A Defender for a Right”, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre in Beirut (UNIC Beirut) and Beirut Arab University (BAU), organized a special ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and celebrate Human Rights Day that falls annually on 10 December.
The ceremony, which was held at BAU Premises, was attended by Bassam Al-Halabi, representative of Minister of State for Human Rights Affairs Ayman Choucair, MP and Head of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights Michel Moussa, MP and representative of Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri Roula Tabesh, Regional Representative of OHCHR Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) Roueida El-Hage, Director of the UN Information Centre in Beirut Margo El-Helou, President of the Lebanese Constitutional Council Issam Sleiman, President of Beirut Arab University Amr Galal El-Adawi and BAU Secretary General Omar Houri. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of military and security leaders, BAU professors and students, representatives of media outlets and organizations specialized in human rights issues.
The Opening
The Opening featured statements by Choucair, Moussa, El-Hage, and El-Adawi, as well as a video-taped message by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and a reportage on the BAU university and its major Faculties.
In his statement, Choucair said that decent life is the main issue that must be addressed when defending human rights, adding that the lack of sense of citizenship among people stops them from enjoying their basic human rights. “Citizenship is not a law,” he noted, “it is a struggle”. Choucair added that the Middle East is unfortunately witnessing a breach of human rights, especially in the presence of major powers that seek to destroy on daily basis the concept of democracy and reject peace and justice in the region.” He pointed out that citizens must strengthen their sense of belonging to their countries away from their social and sectarian affiliations in order for human rights to be attained in the communities.
For his part, Moussa pointed out that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) has become a ‘unified constitution’ in the world that regulate the preservation and respect of human rights, despite the blatant violations recorded throughout the past 70 years. “There is no doubt that hate speech is caused by conflicts, wars, poverty, and religious extremism, as well as the absence of political and cultural awareness that ignites hatred, intolerance and negative inherited traditions.” Moussa also stressed in his speech the need to control and confront hate speech, adding that this requires close cooperation between governments and civil society to enact effective legislations that regulate the work of educational and social institutions, media, including social media, while preserving the freedom of individuals.
El-Hage began her statement by recalling that the UDHR is enshrined in the preamble of the Lebanese Constitution. “Its principles are therefore constitutionally mandatory, surpassing national legislation, and many countries have followed Lebanon’s example,” she noted. “Although the UDHR has helped many people gain more freedoms and rights, we are still witnessing systematic violations in the world. The struggle for human rights is not over yet,” she added. El-Hage also mentioned some world figures reflecting the progress achieved after the adoption of UDHR. These include increase in women representation in Parliament to one quarter of the total number of Parliamentarians in most countries, increase in the number of countries that abolished death penalty, provision of access to information for all, and offering guarantees for persons with disabilities, including minority groups, migrants and refugees, among others.
El-Adawi in his statement said that “intolerance, xenophobia and incitement to racial and religious hatred all endanger the very essence of human rights.” He also noted that “BAU is one of the first universities in the Arab region that introduced the human rights course as a compulsory requirement for all university students and this shows its unwavering commitment to human rights principles. It also established a Human Rights Center in 2009, whereby volunteers participate in awareness raising activities aiming at combating extremism through social media networks.” El-Adawi concluded his statement by saying that BAU is committed to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and its related 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as member of the Global Compact Network in Lebanon. “BAU is constantly seeking to achieve social justice and sustainable development in the country,” he pledged.
An Interactive Discussion
After the opening, El-Hage, together with Reda Abdel Aziz, a lawyer and regional human rights trainer, moderated an interactive dialogue entitled “Promoting Positive Messages” tackling the role of social media and arts in combating hate speech. The discussion also engaged Omar Houri, human rights activists Mirvat Rishmawi and Joumana Merhi, and human rights expert Habib Belkoush.
The dialogue discussed in detail current legislative and policy measures adopted by countries of the region to combat hate speech through social media. Discussions also tackled civil society efforts and initiatives in fighting hate speech, with special focus on the role of the youth.
Media and People with Special Needs at BAU
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/Event/Media-and-People-with-Special-Needs-at-BAU
The relationship between the people with special needs and the media, the role of the media in integrating these people in the public life, and their depiction in the media were the main topics of the Discussion Panel organized by the Faculty of Arts at Beirut Arab University, entitled “Media and People with Special Needs”. The event which was held on the 18th of March, 2014 at the Main Campus in Beirut, hosted Attorney Mr. Nizar Saghieh, the Journalists Mrs. Diana Moukalled, Mr. Imad Raef and Mr. Fadi El Halaby.
The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Essam Osman, Vice-President for Medical Sciences, Prof. Dr. Mayssah El Nayal, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Jamal Megahed, Head of the Mass Communication Department, in addition to staff members and a large crowd of students and graduates.
After playing the Lebanese and the BAU Anthems, the Journalist Ms. Wafa Saraya opened the Panel, highlighting that people with special needs are more determined and strong-willed than most, and deserve to receive their full rights. She also pointed out that the media should cast light on their issues, embrace them, and cease to depict them as worthy of pity.
Prof. Dr. Mayssah El Nayal emphasized that being a person with a special need does not mean to accept defeat in life, but should rather be a motivation for achievement and challenging difficulties. She pointed out to the role of the media in accepting people with special needs as active members of the society, and the role of the universities in producing Researches that endow the issue with specialized perspectives and allow a scientific approach to deal with it.
Prof. El Nayal further drew the attention to the initiative made by the Mass Communication Department at the Faculty of Arts in registering students for the special needs course as a minor. The aim is to bring this group of people into the limelight and invest their potentials in the media.
Dr. Jamal Megahed, pointed out that the impact of the media on society is not exploited towards the benefit of the society, in particular for disabled people. He criticized the various forms of discriminations against people with special needs, the way in which the media enhances perceptions of disability, and the use of the medical model and stereotypes which reflect a negative and non-empowering image.
Dr. Megahed also highlighted the lack of representation of the disabled in the field of media. He emphasized the need to develop the communicative rights of the individual and the society, while raising awareness of the rights of people with special needs, not only in terms of human aspects, but also in terms of human rights. It is essential for the public opinion to support these people, and both the state and people in charge of the media should therefore become attentive to this important issue.
Next, a short film prepared by the Mass Communication Department was presented. The film was entitled “Conqueror of the Impossible”, and documents the personal experience of the Lebanese athlete Edward Maalouf, who excelled in hand-cycling and conquered his disability. After the film, the Discussion Panel Guests took turns; Diana Moukalled started by describing the issue as controversial, and refused the isolation of disabled people since it is not of any use when it comes to the integration of the disabled. Moukalled called upon media to bring people with special needs to the front by projecting an image that is more representative of them, instead of being limited news coverage and programs about their needs. She stressed on the role played by pressure-groups in crystallizing initiatives that may contribute to the improvement of this negative image.
Attorney Nizar Saghieh in turn criticized the delay in implementing Law 220 in Lebanon. He called upon the media to cast light on the reasons behind such delay, and to launch activist and media battles to attain this right. He also pointed out the need for documentaries that throw light on the legal and activist aspects associated with this issue. Saghieh also spoke about the importance of strategic litigation for disabled people to enable them to bring their voice into courts of law, as well as the necessity of compensating those who have lost their jobs due to their disability.
Mr. Imad Raef explained the meaning of integrating media which realizes the rights of all social components. He called upon media to deal with the issue of people with special needs through a social model, not a medical or care-needing model. He also called upon people with special needs to formulate projects and ideas in an applicable and feasible language. He expressed his regret at the structural and financial problems faced by civil organizations which should be tackling this issue.
Mr. Fadi El Halaby, activist and media-person, argued that presenting the disabled in a negative image leads to disabling the person further. He expressed his wish that the media would deal with the disabled as a person and a human being, and not in terms of the disability. He stressed the need not to depict the disabled as a victim or as a hero. He drew on his personal experience in his T.V. Show “Tawasoul”, where he worked for a full year on various issues before tackling topics related to disability and people with special needs.
The Discussion Panel also hosted the first blind TV correspondent, Nasser Ballout, who is a student at the Mass Communication Department. The students told the audience how his parents had refused to raise him in isolated institutions. During his school years and university life he had been enrolled in mixed institutions. He called upon the concerned authorities to ensure early integration of the disabled in a natural social context.
The Panel concluded with Prof. Dr. Mayssah El Nayal, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, presenting honorary shields to the guests.
International Day of People with Disability
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Health-Sciences/Event/International-Day-of-People-with-Disability
International Day of People with Disability is a day that has been promoted by the United Nations. The event was under the patronage of the OPTL and in collaboration with El Montada Foundation for disability- North Lebanon. The aim of Disability Day is to encourage a better understanding of people affected by a disability, together with helping to make people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people, as well as raise awareness about the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life, from economic, to social and cultural. Disability Day is not concerned exclusively with either mental or physical disabilities, but rather encompasses all known disabilities, from Autism to Down syndrome. This activity was to entertain children with disabilities, it included face painting, singing, and dancing with the children, clown and character show. Children enjoyed very much along with the gifts and lunch boxes that were distributed to them at the end of the party.
Lebanon and Human Rights Round Table Discussion [1]
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/Lebanon-and-Human-Rights-Round-Table-Discussion
The Human Rights Center at Beirut Arab University represented by the Senior Specialist Salam Zahran, participated in a round table discussion entitled "Lebanon and Human Rights," that was held at the La Nau Cultural Center at the University of Valencia in Spain.
The discussion dealt with the Human Rights Situation in Lebanon in the context of the recent crisis in light of the financial collapse, Right to Health Medication during the pandemic, and Beirut Blast, with a focus on Lebanese women's rights and Palestinian refugee women in Lebanon. The seminar was accompanied with a photography exhibition by the photojournalist Germán Caballero which depicted the status of the Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon's Camps.
UNESCO and the Hariri Foundation Launch a Workshop on Youth Civic Engagement from Beirut Arab University [2]
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/UNESCO-and-the-Hariri-Foundation-Launch-a-Workshop-on-Youth-Civic-Engagement-from-Beirut-Arab-University
In the presence of MP Bahia Hariri, the UNESCO Office in Beirut, in cooperation with the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development (HFSHD) and Beirut Arab University (BAU), launched a workshop entitled MOST School on “Youth Civic Engagement and Public Policies for Urban Governance through Cultural Heritage.” The workshop is part of the “Enhancing Research Linkage for a State of Knowledge in Lebanon” project as MOST aims at exchanging experiences among those interested in policy research, especially the young, in order to develop a comprehensive urban policy.
During the opening session, Head of the Parliamentary Education Committee and Head of the Hariri Foundation MP Bahia Hariri spoke of the role of Hariri Foundation, which embodies the experience of late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and his vision of supporting education. She also praised the role of Beirut Arab University in promoting justice in the higher education sector in Lebanon and thanked UNESCO, which attaches great importance to linking scientific research to policy development.
In his speech, Director of the UNESCO Beirut Office Dr. Hamad Bin Saif Al-Hammami maintained, "Cultural heritage education is a tool for promoting intercultural dialogue and social cohesion, and therefore the participation of the young in cultural heritage is essential to provide them with the tools of knowledge, skills and shared values and to promote peace through engaging the young in urban cultural heritage policies and strategies and supporting tangible youth-led measures.”
UNESCO has established a youth strategy (2014-2021) and clarified support on three issues: formulating youth policies, developing the capacities of youth organizations, and supporting youth civic engagement. Speaking of the significance of the workshop theme, "There are a lot of concerns about city life in light of its growth, spatial expansion, increasing services, complex lifestyles, local government development and future strategic policies. The city has become a centre of knowledge production in various interrelated disciplines. Therefore, understanding urban space at the research level has become interdisciplinary,” Al-Hamami continued, “this multidisciplinary approach to the city has become evident in the 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations as a plan of action for social justice and human well-being. UNESCO's support to the city stakeholders concerning inclusive urban development is more important than ever. Fifteen years after the launch of the International Alliance for Inclusive and Sustainable Cities (ICCAR) in 2004, there are now 23 Arab cities from seven active member states that contribute to mutual support, knowledge sharing and capacity development to combat discrimination and fear of outsiders and foreigners.”
BAU President Professor Amr Galal El-Adawi stressed BAU’s interest in heritage and its preservation. He also highlighted the importance of disseminating this culture at the youth level and contributing to enhancing communication and dialogue opportunities among the students, academic staff and all those interested in developing policies to preserve cultural heritage in Lebanon with their counterparts at the regional and global levels.
Dean of the Faculty of Architecture- Design and Built Environment Professor Ibtihal Bastawissi spoke about the role of architects in the process of preserving cultural heritage, stressing that this role has been adopted by the Faculty of Architecture - Design and Built Environment at Beirut Arab University since its establishment in 1962 through its support for heritage conservation projects and the adoption of many other projects and private research in the areas of restoration, rehabilitation and reuse. The faculty has always been keen to teach its students how to devise architectural solutions that harmonize with these buildings and are compatible with our current era. she also emphasized the importance of this workshop, as "it helps develop the ability of researchers and decision-makers to link academic scientific research with its practical translation.”
Prof. Bastawissi continued, “Beirut Arab University has always sought to actively participate in this workshop, as it comes in line with its belief in the importance of making practical use of scientific research to serve the local community and support sustainable development at the national level. BAU believes in the role of the youth in development and the importance of engaging them in the development of plans and policies, which helps benefit from their innovation and creativity, in addition to adding up to the practical experience of the university youth and increasing the efficiency of graduates to meet the challenges of the labour market. The participation of the young in the development of plans and policies also develops their sense of responsibility and concern for the success of their implementation.”
The three-day workshop was held between Beirut and Saida , including a field visit to the ancient city of Sidon. During this workshop, a series of research methodologies and good practices were reviewed in order to highlight the positive role of the youth in promoting social integration in the process of preserving cultural heritage in Lebanon.
A Seminar on Women’s Rights at BAU In Collaboration with the EU Delegation
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/Event/A-Seminar-on-Womens-Rights-at-BAU-In-Collaboration-with-the-EU-Delegation
The Human Rights Center at Beirut Arab University organized in collaboration with the European Union Delegation in Lebanon a seminar on “Women’s Rights: Challenges and Opportunities for Gender Equality in Lebanon”. The event which was held on the 3rd of December, 2013 was attended by Prof. Dr. Amr Galal El Adawi, President of BAU, Mrs. Angelina Ekhorest, European Union Ambassador, Mrs. Ursula Fahringer, Austrian Ambassador to Lebanon, Deans of Faculties, Mr. Issam Houri, BAU Secretary General, Wakf El Bir and Ihsan’s Members of Board of Trustees, Directors of BAU Centers, BAU Administrators, and 250 students from various majors.
Prof. Dr. Amr Galal El Adawi reiterated in his word the role of BAU in supporting human rights, in particular women’s rights, through the Human Rights Center, as well as the establishment of a specialized Women’s Studies Diploma and a legal clinic where students – under the supervision of licensed lawyers – aid disadvantaged target groups to fight for their rights.
Mrs. Angelina Ekhorest, European Union Ambassador, addressed the students, reminding the audience that Lebanon is an important partner to the EU, not only in terms of dealing with the Syrian crisis, but also in terms of human rights. This is manifest in the effectiveness of parliamentary elections and structural reforms in the economic and social sectors.
Dr. Omar Houri, Director of the BAU Human Rights Center reviewed in his word the foundations of a woman’s right to grant her family her nationality in accordance with the Lebanese Constitution and the International Law. He added that there are over 18000 Lebanese women married to foreigners in Lebanon. There are no accurate statistics as to the number of children in these marriages, but it is possible to imagine the amount prejudices these children and citizens are exposed to. Such discrimination impacts upon medical care, education, employment and other aspects of daily life.
The seminar also included an intervention by Mrs. Ursula Fahringer, Austrian Ambassador to Lebanon, and Lawyer Layla Awada from “Kafa”. The seminar was moderated by journalist Anne-Marie El Hage from L’Orient Le Jour.
A Panel Discussion on Activating Women's Political Participation
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/A-Panel-Discussion-on-Activating-Women-s-Political-Participation
In cooperation with Beirut Arab University and the National Commission for Women, and in collaboration with the British Council and the National Committee for the Follow-up on Women's Issues, the Maharat Foundation organized a panel discussion on "Activating the Role of Women in Political Participation" among students and decision-makers within the framework of the EU-funded project DAWRAK . The panel was attended by the President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women Ms. Claudine Aoun Roukoz and MPs Majid Edi Abi El-Lamaa and Elias Hanaksh, as well as the candidate for the parliamentary elections Laury Haytian.
Students and participants discussed issues related to activating women's political participation, such as approving quotas in the election law, the role of political parties in supporting women in political participation, and the strategy of the National Commission for Women to activate women's political participation.
The students raised a number of questions and made several recommendations to the participants in order to enhance the participation of the young in the discussion of public issues and the development of public policies related to the political role of women and to support communication between them and officials and decision-makers.
The event started with BAU President Professor Amr Galal El-Adawi and Head of the Media Department Dr. Gamal Mujahed welcoming the participants and stressing that BAU supports enhancing the role of women at all levels not only in the political realm.
President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women Ms. Claudine Aoun Roukoz noted that the percentage of female candidates increased in the recent elections, but this was not reflected in the presence of women in the Lebanese Parliament, pointing out that women do not vote for female candidates but for a list that is compatible with their political stance.
She also maintained that the National Commission has called for a transitional quota to activate the participation of women in political life, considering that waiting for real equality only is useless at the moment. She added, "Laws reveal a significant prejudice against women. We as a national entity for women's affairs have many law suggestions which we will submit soon. Though women’s participation in the government is represented by 4 ministers out of 30, this is considered an achievement and a great progress at the level of female presence in the government.”
Continuing her speech, she said that the political presence of women needs a law and she encouraged the initiative of Prime Minister Saad Hariri to nominate women for the parliament and the government, adding that Hariri kept his word concerning women's presence in political life.
Within the context of the participation of women in the political parties, she stressed that females must get out of the shadows and impose themselves without allowing males to take the lead, adding "we are witnessing progress at all levels and the upcoming parliamentary elections will reflect this. Stereotypes change with the new generation."
MP Majid Edi Abi Al Lamaa, pointed out that there are many women in our patriarchal society who do not believe in the role of women in political life. "Here lies the danger. We must exert a great effort at the level of education at schools and universities to raise awareness about this subject,” he said.
Abi Lamaa assured that there are many discussions about the quota within the parties, considering that it is a kind of discrimination and imposing it is useless. He added, "Basically, it is linked to raising the young’s awareness through education in order to create a public opinion that is supportive of women's political participation, especially as there are many citizens who are against the quota, which is still considered a controversial issue."
As for the role of parties in supporting women's political participation, Abi -Lamaa expressed his hope for the new generation to change the current situation in the parties.
MP Elias Hanaksh, said that the current parliament members represent not only males but all citizens as well, especially as the problems in Lebanon are shared by men and women.
He pointed out that there is an improvement in the political participation of women through a set of indicators, for there are now six female parliament members and 4 ministers, as well as the post of Minister of Interior in the Middle East for the first time.
He also expressed his support for the approval of the quota, especially as all countries that have shown progress in the field of raising the political representation of women had approved the quota.
Laury Haytian, the candidate for the parliamentary elections, said that most of the female candidates who took part in the elections don’t belong to any party. They accepted the challenge to encourage the new generation to join the political domain. "There is a stereotype concept that women don’t understand politics which we tried to change in the previous elections," she continued.
Concerning the role of parties in supporting women's political participation, Haytian said that parties were not supportive as females’ candidates were absent from the election lists. The parties do not want the quota in order to maintain their posts and their gains. "We are witnessing a non-traditional situation in the political life; it is a transitional phase and civil society has played its political role, but the best way for women to achieve political presence is through the party, so the battle must take place within the parties for the women's involvement in the political life."
It is worth mentioning that DAWRAK project aims at enhancing women's participation in public affairs. In this context, the project resulted in a set of basic priorities for activating the role of women, including the promotion of women's political participation and civil status law. Therefore, DAWRAK launched two advocacy campaigns around these two priorities.
BAU Awareness Raising Day for the Disabled
https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/BAU-Awareness-Raising-Day-for-the-Disabled
Seeking to support the people with disabilities and to integrate them into the Lebanese society and economy via procuring the environment which meets their needs and capabilities in the job market, the Human Rights Centre at Beirut Arab University, together with the CRS Association and in cooperation with EDAN and Arcanciel, organized an awareness raising day concerning the people with disabilities in Lebanon.
On that day, students from the Faculty of Architectural Engineering presented an integrated engineering project for the development of the Hariri Building at BAU to meet all the needs of disabled people.
Students from the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences clarified the rights which the disabled enjoy according to Article (220) of the Lebanese Law which stipulates the necessity of procuring an environment suitable for the disabled to carry out their everyday life activities.
The Centre for Entrepreneurship at BAU participated in presenting the ways the disabled can execute the projects that meet their physical capabilities and how to raise the funds necessary for these projects.
Students from the Faculty of Arts elucidated the codes of conduct and behavior necessary to deal with disabled.
During the day, a dialogue was held in which Dr. Omar Houri gave a talk and some short movies were shown, shedding light on the obstacles that the disabled face in both the society and the job market. Moreover, some testimonies and speeches were presented by some disabled people calling for the rectification of some offensive expressions and abusive behaviors towards the disabled.
Mr. Fadi Al Halabi, the known activist and media figure, summarized the challenges that the disabled face, stating that there are 100,000 disabled people in Lebanon, 80% of whom suffer from unemployment and 60% from illiteracy. Ms. Fadia Farah, Head of the Lebanese Association for Self Advocacy, attributed the injustice of the job market towards the disabled to the absence of experience in setting and observing the laws concerned with the disabled.
In his turn, Mr. Ibrahim Abdallah, Head of the Disabled Union in Lebanon, criticized the governments inefficiency as related to the issue of the disabled, and accredited the achievements to the efforts exerted by the concerned associations actively involved in the field.
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