News

The Lebanese Association of University Women in cooperation with Hanna Wakim Institution organized a celebration in UNESCO Palace in honor of winner schools in its annual competition of ‘expression and innovation’. Coinciding on the World Environment Day, the theme for this year is ‘our environment is our country’. The event, held for the fifth consecutive year, included several cultural activities: film projections, plays, dances, songs, paintings and stereographs prepared by participating schools to simulate school activities related to tree planting, healthy diet, recycling and ecological clubs. Six of the participating schools received awards of appreciation. (Al Mustaqbal, 12 June 2015)

Philippines pride was on great display last Sunday, in the courtyard of the St. Joseph’s Church, which marked the 116th year since the Philippines gained its independence. It was a colorful afternoon in which national food was on offer and entertainment came from a wide variety of cultural performances. The lively and vibrant atmosphere surrounding the day was a true testimony to the strength and unity of the Filipino community in Lebanon, which – like most other migrant communities – is constantly faced with stark discrimination. Migrant workers in Lebanon are denied basic rights due to complexities of the current employer sponsorship system known as the ‘Kafala’ s. Filipino women are often treated slightly better than domestic workers of other nationalities as they have a good command of English, according to Philippines Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, who added that despite the earlier they still have to face the same general racist attitude. (The daily star, 8 June 2015)

Military Court Investigative Judge Hani Hajjar ordered yesterday the release of  police involved in the beating of lawyer Rania Ghaith for stopping at the red light in Kantari area of Beirut earlier this week and blocking the way of an alleged official car convey. The Judge did not ask for the coroner’s report which proves Gaith has been assaulted neither did he question her or summon witness Lawyer Nabil Younis, according to Al Akhbar daily. Sources present at the court session reported that Gaith was terrorized by the bodyguards who also appeared yesterday at the hearing. For his part, Wajis Masaad, representing Beirut Bar Association who accompanied Gaith to interrogation did not take a firm stand in support  because the BBA did not take the institution of civil action in the absence of its President and majority of Bar members who allegedly are away. Immediately after the release verdict was issued, a group of lawyers and civil activists headed to the BBA headquarters to meet with Masaad who advised them to wait for the return of the President but did not promise any serious action. It is to be recalled that the Lebanese Democratic Women Gathering issued a communiqué two days again in which it condemned the attack on lawyer Ghaith; (Women Democratic Gathering condemns assault on women lawyer and journalist). (Al Akhbar, 11 June 2015)

The Lebanese University and CISCO Corporation organized a forum under the title: ‘Linking university graduates with labor markets’ at the university conference hall under the patronage of President Dr. Adnana Sayid Hussein. On the occasion, CISCO General Manager Hani Raad stated that the purpose of the conference is to develop the technical skills of the Company’s trainers’ and pass them on to students so as to prepare them to enter the labor market. A number of companies interested in recruiting IT and communication graduates, Raad said, were invited to participate in the setting up of a substantial database and network aiming at building bridges between the companies and the academic institutions. He stressed the importance of partnerships with the educational sector, particularly with the Lebanese University. (Al Diyar, 11 June 2015)

One of the most celebrated crafts in the Mina district of the northern city of Tripoli is pottery which is reflected in the landmark pottery workshop of Abu George, known as: ‘Fakhuret Abu George’. George Ariro, owner of the 350-year old pottery workshop who inherited the traditional craft from his ancestors, explains that the pottery yard produces earthenware to store food as well as household utensils, besides cups and pitchers. Ariro boasts that pottery products are healthy devices, especially water jugs, which are known to be natural coolers and antiseptic, adding that the craft is changing into an intricate art producing decorative items. However, he lamented the lack of concern by authorities in conserving traditions, particularly the attitude of ministries of tourism and culture, warning that the craft was in danger of extinction while calling for moral and financial support of the industry’s artisans and workers. (Al Diyar, 11 June 2015)

Sources at the Ministry of Industry disclosed a new agreement with the United Nations Development Program to support the Ministry’s technical capacities as part of its TOKTEN program to transfer knowledge through expatriate nationals.  To this effect, UNDP assigned Dr. Fadi Aramuni, an American-Lebanese food safety expert to undertake a quality assessment study of the following two sectors: meat products, pastries and sweets. Furthermore, Aramuni trained Industry Ministry inspectors for two days on food safety measures mainly, biological, chemical and physical hazards, methods of taking and transferring food samples and proper compliance guidelines. In the same vein, Minister of Economy and Trade, Alan Hakim, announced the attainment by the following 11 food enterprises of the 22000 and 22005 ISO specifications, namely: Tayibat (frozen potato); Olive Trade (olive oil); Delta Group for trade and industry (spices); Maatouk (coffee); Laflox (Yamama for vinegars, aromatic water and pomegranate molasses); Diabco (Al Amira Roastery); Hashem Industry and Trading Group (sweets and syrups powder) and Al Rifai Roasteries. A statement by the Ministry of Trade disclosed that the first ten factories are among 20 food enterprises which were covered by the European Union funded National Quality Policy Program and have received technical advice and training support over a one year period. This new batch of factories joins another of 20 factories which were rehabilitated earlier under the same initiative. (Al Diyar, 9 June 2015)