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New project to promote youth vocational training in Lebanon

31-7-2017

The International Labor Organization (ILO) and UNICEF embarked jointly on an initiative to improve technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for youth in Lebanon in line with labor market needs. The project will carry out labor market assessments on the community and national level, and will implement competency-based training programs adjusted to meet labor market demands. The ultimate beneficiaries of above project are low-skilled youth representing the majority of job hunters in the country. ILO’s Regional Director for Arab States, Rana Jaradat, pointed out that the undertaking is the “result of close collaboration between two sister UN agencies and a common desire to create decent work opportunities for the young generation.” This partnership, Jaradat said, will address a number of challenges to the local labor market, including the provision of better understanding of the market’s dynamics and a skilled workforce that responds to the market requirements, as well as, career guidance and counseling services. For her part, UNICEF representative in Lebanon, Tanya Chapuisat, underlined the UN organization’s keenness to invest its financial and technical resources in the project aimed to reform the formal and non-formal technical and vocational education and training sector. It will also play an important role in increasing the employability of job-seeking youth and guarantees their fair and smooth transition to career life. (Al Mustaqbal, July 30, 2017)

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USJ launch a new degree in fashion design

31-7-2017

Saint Joseph University (USJ) and ESMOD France, signed an agreement on Wednesday announcing the launch of a 180-credit degree in styling and pattern making whereby credits can be cumulatively converted according to the European university system. Applicants should have completed the Lebanese baccalaureate or its equivalent and passed an exam organized by ESMOD, as well as an interview with the administration and one faculty member. As for non-holders of a Bacc certificate, they are invited to attend classes at the end of which they are given a certificate instead of a degree. Courses begin with the start of the upcoming academic year 2017-2018 at the USJ School of Social Sciences, Ashrafieh. To note, USJ and ESMOD will offer a series of open training workshops covering the following subjects: fashion design, pattern drafting, fashion management, sales, jewelry design, shoe design, fashion journalism, luxury product marketing, photography and technical management. (Al Akhbar, July 31, 2017)

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Tunisian Parliament approves law ending violence against women

28-7-2017

The Tunisian Parliament passed a unanimous bill on Wednesday (146 out of 217 MPs) which protects women from violence. The new law, which will become effective six months after its publishing in the official gazette, aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women. It supports provision of victims with the necessary legal and psychological assistance and imposes specific programs incorporating the principles of humanitarian law and gender equality in the national curricula. The newly endorsed law also introduces amendments to Article 227-bis of the Criminal Code, including the abolition of a controversial provision which pardons rapists (non-violent sexual intercourse) if they married their victim (under 15 years of age). In her comment on the new bill, the minister of women, family and children, Naziha Laabidi, said she was proud with this landmark achievement. In her turn, MP Bushra Balhaj Hamida, welcomed the victorious adoption of the law, stressing that it recognizes the various forms of physical, moral and sexual violence against women. She pointed out that the spirit of said law proclaims that incidents of violence are no longer a private matter but a public and state affair. The proof, she added, is that relinquishing or dropping charges against offenders no longer trims legal proceedings. (Al Mustaqbal, July 28, 2017)

 

Previous related news:
Tunisian modern law to fight violence against women

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Planet Lebanon 2017: A bridge with the Diaspora and investors

27-7-2017

The chair of the Lebanese International Business Council (LIBC), Nassib Fawaz, announced the launch of Planet Lebanon 2017 on August 3 and 4 at Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut, under the patronage of PM Saad Hariri. LICB is anticipating an exceptional event given the outstanding preparations in terms of size of participating Lebanese emigrants from across the world, Fawaz stated. He outlined the objectives of the conference, which include, strengthening ties and building bridges between Lebanese businessmen/businesswomen abroad; highlighting the reality of investment in Lebanon within the larger global investment situation, and finally, bolstering Lebanon’s economic, tourism and commercial status. Fawaz said he hoped the present government will work to improve the business and investment environment in line with an innovative strategy committed to streamlining and increasing the efficiency of investment procedures, in addition to, easing bureaucratic hindrances and relieving the business climate. The conference, LIBC head maintained, aims to make stronger connections with the Lebanese Diaspora who profoundly seek to contribute to the development of their homeland. “We are all aware of the value of remittances to Lebanon and the significant role of money transfers from abroad in sustaining social stability and securing decent living standards for large segments of the Lebanese people,” Fawaz said. (Al Mustaqbal, July 27, 2017)

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Further delays in settlement of compensation for apple farmers

27-7-2017

Following the protest actions on June 15 by apple farmers across Lebanon to step up the payment of the second instalment of compensation, the president of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, criticized the handling of the issue by the government. The decision to settling the next payment was already approved, Howayek said, voicing concern over the delay. The previous cabinet of Premier Tamam Salam has agreed last October to pay a sum of LBP 40 billion to grieved farmers, only half (LBP 20 billion) of which has been disbursed,  Howayek told Al Mustaqbal newspaper. The farmers’ president pointed out that the crisis has become worrying, disclosing that agricultural associations have expediently accepted solutions that were short of their expectation only to lift the distress on farmers, and overlooked suspicious statistics and questionable method of payment that were kept from involved agricultural syndicates. Howayek presented some proposals to salvage the situation, chiefly: setting up agricultural chambers to assist farmers in the event of disasters; buy cold storage equipment for underprivileged farmers who cannot afford the cost of packing and warehousing. He also suggested that the government procure vessels at not more than USD 15 million to alleviate costs of export incurred on apple growers, pledging to raise voice of protests to achieve set solutions.(Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, An Nahar, July 25, 27, 2017)

 

Previous related news:
Apple farmers back to the streets because of the glut in production
Apple farmers describe relief compensations as ‘humiliating”
Apple farmers protest shrinking compensation

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Few women in the boardroom worldwide

26-7-2017

In its review of more than 60 countries promoting boardroom gender diversity, the ‘Women in the boardroom: A global perspective’ fifth report by Deloitte Global, found that women still lack sufficient representation despite continuous efforts to endorse gender diversity in these spaces. The report published in Al Hayat newspaper today has shown that only 15% of board seats are filled by women globally, noting a slight progress from the findings of 2015 edition of the report. The talent and communications partner at Deloitte Middle East, Rana Ghandour Salhab, said that companies with female chairs have double the number of women in senior executive posts, and that boards of directors with a marked female representation have increased chances of appointing a woman as president or CEO, Al Hayat wrote. This demonstrates that as the number of women board chairs rises, there is likely a greater gender board diversity, Salhab maintained, pointing that the percentage of women in top leadership positions remains low, with only 4% represented in CEO and board chair positions around the world. In conclusion, the report indicated that Middle Eastern states do not generally observe the quota system for women on boards, yet, some countries in the region are beginning to witness strategies promoting higher female participation in the boards. Despite said attempts, the report said, representation rates are still modest, with women barely occupying 2% of board positions in the GCC states, for example. For full report: http://bit.ly/2sfqhAc . (Al Hayat, July 26, 2017)

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Weekly farmers market in Jbeil

26-7-2017

The Byblos Roman Road association opened last Saturday a weekly market for traditional agricultural and artisan products in the courtyard adjacent to St John Mark Church facing the wax museum in the Old City of Jbeil. The market will open every Saturday attracting farmers from the different towns and villages of Jbeil, Kesrouan and Matn regions. The market allows producers and craftspeople to sell their goods in the heart of the coastal city. Customers can also benefit from fresh organic and water planted veggies and fruits, in addition to spices, traditional mouneh items and craftwork. To note, the above association provides the tents and tables for the farmers’ booths, as well as a permanent showroom in the UNESCO piazza at Jbeil’s Old Market. (Al Mustaqbal, July 26, 2017)

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Women group open a free library in Saida

26-7-2017

Following the creation by a group of women from Saida of a literary salon ( http://bit.ly/2uWmJo3), the same group launched last week an initiative under the slogan ‘Saida Reads”. This is the first of its kind undertaking in Lebanon aimed to revive the glamor of reading when social media and digital technology has stolen the sense of thrill. These innovative women from the southern capital opened a small public library to inspire people to read and exchange books for free, and have for that reason chosen the Spot Saida center to be the place. During the opening event, the activist in the literary salon of Saida, Safaa Makawi, said the idea originated from a US-based global association that promotes establishing little free libraries around the world (in 50 US states and 70 countries worldwide). Lebanon, Mekawi boasted, has become the 71th country applying the concept which has placed it on the global map of little free libraries. Mekawi also pointed out that ‘Saida Reads’ scheme brings books free of charge to book mongers allowing exchange by the ‘take a book, return a book’ rule. The newly installed library is divided into three sections, for children, young adults and adults, and includes novels, documentaries and other subjects. (Al Mustaqbal, July 26, 2017)

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Can liberal policies still save the Lebanese economy?

25-7-2017

In spite of some recent declarations on a the need for new economic orientations, the classical liberal approach to economic issues remain dominant in the mainstream political discourses. In this regard, the minister of communications, Jamal Jarrah, disclosed that the Saad Hariri-led government has pledged to develop the national economy and that preparations are underway to create an investment-friendly environment in the country. Jarrah was speaking during the opening of Endeavorize Lebanon entrepreneurship forum in Beirut organized by leading high impact global entrepreneurship movement, ‘Endeavor’. Jarrah stressed that his ministry is seeking to improve and boost the services of the infrastructure, pointing that economic growth is not possible outside a substantial network of communications and internet. He emphasized the vitality of partnership between the private and public sectors, hoping it will be adopted in the near future to help the private sector increase its opportunities of growth. For his part, the president of the Gathering of Lebanese Businessmen and Businesswomen (RDCL World), Fouad Zamakhal, addressed yesterday a group of 200-300 young Lebanese expatriates from the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU) during a visit to the Parliament organized by RDCL. “I cannot promise that we can quickly underpin the Lebanon we dream of, but I can assure and promise you that the Lebanese private sector worldwide will continue with its efforts to preserve our national economy projected to prosper and flourish around the world, thanks to your support,” Zamakhal said. He emphasized the need to use what he termed as the “productive and competent migration” in order to invest in the homeland. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, July 25, 2017)

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A comprehensive policy is needed to reduce statelessness

25-7-2017

The Frontiers Rights association held last Thursday a conference on statelessness in Lebanon entitled, ‘Out of the Shadow: Towards ensuring the rights of the stateless’ in the presence of the minister of state for human rights affairs, Ayman Choukair. The event was organized with the support of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the European Union and the Embassy of Norway in Lebanon. The conference discussed the factors that keep this phenomenon in the shadows, realities on the ground and groups most affected by it. Choukair on the occasion, said the Lebanese State should be responsible and seriously collaborate with civil society to find solutions to snowballing problems inherited by children from their parents. Ruwad representative, Samira Trad, for her part, said it is high time to bring all the stakeholders around one table to come up with a comprehensive vision that brings stateless persons into the world of reality. The conference concluded with a number of recommendations, stressing the need to: evaluate and deliberate amendments to the relevant laws in force; deal with the issue of statelessness as a priority through placing it on the political, societal and media agendas, while engaging key players, particularly legislator, in discussions through an all-encompassing national workshop; upgrade and mechanize personal status registry system as well as promote access to justice through streamlined and cost-effective judicial proceedings. ( Al Diyar, Al Akhbar, July 25, 2017)

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