A Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday between the Minister of Education, Mr. Hassan Diab KidProof association for the Middle East and North Africa represented by Maitre Darine Masri, and the Chair of the Board of BLOM bank Mr. Saad al Azhari heralding the launch of the Protected programme within the framework of an initiative to protect children from sexual abuse (c.f KidProof Safety: sexual harassment will become part of the educational curriculum on 22.09.2012, and Pedagogical workshop on protection of children from violence and harassment on 11.09.2012).  The programme is funded by BLOM and is implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs.  The Centre for Educational Research Development had for its part adapted the curriculum to the local context of Lebanon taking into consideration the educational requirements as well as the overall spiritual, social and cultural values prevailing in the country.
Masri noted that the purpose of this programme is to mainstream the issues of physical and intellectual safety into the educational curriculum thus helping to protect children and reinforcing their self respect and their respect to others.  She reiterated that the programme will involve the production of educational material for all scholastic levels including parents’ and teachers’ handbooks as well as the implementation of a series of teachers’ training, both onsite and online and focusing on physical and personal safety, ethics, citizenship, online safety, physical and mental wellbeing.
Source: Al-Nahar 16 January 2013
 

Al Nahar published a communiqué released by IDAL in which it shares its achievements in 2012 including the support extended to the agricultural and agro-processing sectors through its Agromap and Agriplus programmes in addition to its support to other investments projects and its provision of incentives and facilities through the one-stop-shop to issue licenses.  IDAL also indicated that it is continuing its efforts to strengthen a general institutional and legal environment that is conducive to business through attracting investments.

According to IDAL’s statistics, its Agriplus programme has succeeded in securing an increase in agricultural exports.  In the first ten months of 2012, Lebanon exported 368 thousand fruits and vegetables thus scoring an 8% increase from 2011.  IDAL also sponsored the agro-processing section of the Gulfood exhibition which was organized at the Dubai international trade centre, from 19 to 22 February 2012, as well as the Lebanese section of the international agro-processing exhibition SIAL which was held in France from 21 to 25 October 2012.  This was part of IDAL’s support to promoting and marketing Lebanese food products.

In this same communiqué, IDAL noted that it processed 35 requests for support through its one-stop-shop involving either the set up of new businesses or expanding existing business in the industry, hotel management and technology sectors.  IDAL perused these 35 requests carefully and selected 11 projects as having met the international standards of investments.  5 of these projects have now been implemented either fully or partially after securing the endorsement of the IDAL Board or the Council of Minister.  Two of these pertain to the Industrial Sector whilst two other relate to tourism and the last one pertained to the IT sector.  These 5 new projects have secured some 717 direct employment opportunities.

Source: Al-Nahar 14 January 2013

Salma Jaber Wehbeh, the first director of the girls’ public school in Nabatyeh and daughter of historian Mohammed Jaber (also the granddaughter of Cheikh Ahmad Rida) was by the Association for the Advancement of Women during a public event which was held last week in Nabatyeh.  The head of the organisation, Selma Ali Ahmed, emphasized Wehbeh’s life as an activist and noted her early training at the teachers’ college in South Lebanon and her subsequent achievements in fighting for girls education in the South.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 12 January 2013

Al-Safir newspaper published a report on Amel “Man Hiya’ project, which is implemented by the association in its centre in Ain Remeneh and aims at creating economic and social opportunities for marginalized women and refugees, through providing training and production facility in handmade crafts and artifacts.
In her report, Carol Kerbaj, reveals stories of women refugees from Iraq, Sudan and Syria who were oppressed for various reasons, and who escaped from abduction and death threats to find themselves sharing the same livelihoods struggle in Lebanon. Shatha, an Iraqi refugee and the coordinator of Amel nursery located at the center, indicated that she fled from Najaf to Lebanon with her 2 kids in 2005, after she was traumatized when her 7 years old boy was abducted. In Lebanon, she was introduced to Amel Association where she gradually learned how to manufacture jewelries and accessories that earns her now extra income in addition to her monthly salary. For her part Raeda, found refuge in Lebanon at the end of 2010 after the bombing of Saydet Al-Najat church in Baghdad. Raeda is now able to relieve her tension and sorrow by getting involved in producing crafts. Even though the generated income is not significant, for Raeda, this work represents a space to create colors and struggle for livelihoods.
Source: Al-Safir 9 January 2013