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Conference on local youth investment

1-4-2019

The minister of tourism, Avedis Guidanian, launched on March 29, the Youth & Rural Tourism Conference, organized by Rethinking Lebanon NGO in partnership with the tourism ministry, and in the presence of representatives of diplomatic missions, tourism entrepreneurs and concerned students from various universities. On the occasion, Guidanian expressed optimism about the immediate future of tourism in Lebanon, anticipating a remarkable rise in the number of tourists, particularly visitors from Arab and GCC states. He also stressed the importance of giving young people the incentives and appropriate circumstances to make encourage them to stay and invest in their land. He pointed out that plans set by his ministry endorse rural tourism to the end of achieving a comprehensive and sustainable development of rural areas and of the overall economy. The conference spotlighted a group of young entrepreneurs who were successful to invest in their villages through rural tourism projects, hence contributing to the development of their communities and to domestic economy at large. Among these enterprises are, Darb al Karam food heritage foundation in West Beqaa, by Petra Shedid and a project by Ceasar Mahmud involving guest houses and organic farms he owns in the Shuf town of Barook, among other undertakings in Ain Zhalta, Batroon, Akura and Majdal Akura. To note, the conference will be followed by field trips over a period of three weeks in various Lebanese regions (the North, Beqaa and Mount Lebanon). The aim is to view and promote these projects on the ground and, through them, promote the concept of rural tourism. (Al Mustaqbal, March 30, 2019)

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Training in gender and trade policies

1-4-2019

In collaboration with the Center of Arab Woman for Training and Research (CAWTAR), the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) ended on March 30 the regional training workshop on ‘Advocacy and dialogue skills to promote trade and gender policies’. At the close of the five-day event, the head of NCLW and chairman of Arab Women Organization (AWO), Claudine Aoun Rukuz, distributed certificates for participants from Algeria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. The aim of the training session was to provide beneficiaries with the necessary tools and know-how in the evidence-based advocacy for change to promote the economic participation of women and their access to local, regional and global commercial markets. Beneficiaries are expected to be able to achieve the following: identify sensitive issues and set the necessary reforms at the level of policies and legislation for an all-inclusive economic empowerment for women; use awareness and media tools and materials produced during advocacy campaigns locally and regionally; create a network and alliance for joint action; consolidate efforts to realize the required change and develop a strategic framework for advocacy and related interventions by selecting the most efficient tools for each country to ensure the desired end. (Al Diyar, March 30, 2019)

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Three female LU students winners of Francophone contest

1-4-2019

During a ceremony held at USJ, the Lebanese University (LU) on March 28, reaped one golden and two silver medals at the Golden Word of La Francophonie 2019. The golden medal laureate is Marie Renee Kamoo3 (School of Sciences-LU Second Branch) who also the First Audience Award following training at the Center for Linguistics and Translation, Faculty of Arts and Humanities-LU. The two silver medals went to, Sara Habr (Faculty of Economic Studies and Business Administration-LU) and Christele Jiha (School of Information-LU). To recall, the competition is organized by the University of Francophonie (L’Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie), in collaboration with L’Ecole Superieure des Affaires and Bassil Fleihan Institute of Finance. It comes after a written exam which took place on March 14 at all LU faculties and participation universities. (Al Diyar, March 30, 2019)

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NOWR: Poor research output prevents women from academic advancement

29-3-2019

In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper highlighted the work of the National Observatory for Women in Research (NOWR), ‘Your role females’, launched on March 11 (https://bit.ly/2FJT3iN), An Nahar spoke to coordinator Tamara Zein, who explained the purpose from the observatory which is to understand the nature of research in Lebanon and measure women’s participation to this effect. The action plan, Zein maintained, will continue for two years before the observatory becomes a solid platform. The observatory seeks to acknowledge the contributions by Lebanese female researchers and streamline them through creation of an electronic portal and draw attention to the talents of females on social media. It also aims to provide direct support vehicles or channels with concerned international agencies and institutions; develop the capacities of researches at the start of their career, notably in the transitional post doctorate period, up to changing the legislations related to Lebanese women in the academic and research areas. She pointed out that the National Council for Scientific Research currently provides funds for doctoral scientific research, noting that nearly 72% of females benefit from the program, with a decline in the number of researcher beneficiaries (about 40%). The rate of women candidates for the award of scientific excellence launched by the Council, is very limited when compared to male contestants, Zein said. The Council receives around 110 applications, out of which 27 applications are submitted by women against 83 by men, Zein added. This modest participation by female researchers reflects negatively in their seizing of advanced academic positions, she lamented, pointing to the low rate of female college deans in Lebanon (between 10% to 14%), while women presidents do not exceed 5%. (An Nahar, March 29, 2019)

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Deir ez-Zor women raise rubble from their city

29-3-2019

In its issue of today, Al Akhbar newspaper brought to light the work being done by the women of Syrian Deir ez-Zor who, with the supervision of UN agencies, are raising the rubble from their demolished area in an attempt to revive it. Speaking to the newspaper, Mona, one of these women, said “cleaning the wreck is not dirty work or a sin, it is a job like any other job.” Ghada, in turn, indicated that she never tires of removing the debris from the destroyed buildings. “I have 10 children,” she noted, adding, “I cook in the evenings and head to work early in the morning. My children encourage me in this.” She went on to say, Deir ez-Zor women take pride in our work, stressing, “we need to work together with men to restore the charm the city once had.” On the other hand, Hassan Faraj, pointed out that, after the first visit to his neighborhood, he lost hope in returning. However, after the good work of Deir ez-Zor ladies, I regained hope, and began small repairs to my house, as he mentioned. For his part, Mohammad Hussein, another city resident, said, “just fancying the fact that women in our neighborhood are involved in these projects is something big,” adding, they have proven that restoring life to the shattered city is not exclusive to males. (Al Akhbar, March 29, 2019)

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‘Walk to Protect’ Lebanon Mountain Trail

29-3-2019

President Michel Aoun launched yesterday from the Presidential Palace the Lebanon Mountain Trail ‘Walk to Protect’ Campaign. The latter is aimed to preserve the 470 km path connecting the country’s North and South traversing some 75 villages and towns and attracting thousands of visitors every year, from locals and Lebanese expats. President Aoun expressed his confidence that, “during their trek, the Lebanese will definitely love and appreciate their country more, which deepens their attachment to it.” Villages that suffer inattention will hence safeguard their people’s connection and rootedness to their land, he maintained. Similarly, LMT head, Maya Karkur, outlined the achievements made by the association during 11 years of its work. These include: the construction, maintenance and placing road signs to guide hikers on the 470 km mountain track; encouraging local inhabitants to set up guesthouses (around 60 of them); the training of 60 local guides; provision of hundreds of jobs for towns residents and generation of direct revenues for villages through which the trail passes. (Al Diyar, March 29, 2019)

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Women in Lebanon cause less traffic accidents than men

29-3-2019

Al Akhbar today published statistics by the Internal Security Forces (ISF) on driving in Lebanon, pointing out that women are less likely to cause fatal or non-fatal car accidents. Males are responsible for nearly 80% of accidents, according to above statistics, which covered the period between January 1st 2018 and January 9th of the same year. Women caused 11 deaths compared to 204 accidents caused by males which lead to 207 deaths, and 2297 non-fatal accidents resulting in 2483 injuries. Al Akhbar wrote that these figures recall to mind a traffic report by the French Police in 2012, which said, “if men drove their cars like women, we would have fewer casualties on our road.” Al Akhbar mentioned that traffic statistics has broken the macho prestige and the patriarchal culture which has always linked driving expertise to males. Now, women can easily brag and boast their style and efficiency in driving. (Al Akhbar, March 29, 2019)

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Emergency to salvage national industry

28-3-2019

The Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA) declared yesterday an industrial emergency due to the serious deterioration in the sector. The announcement was made during a broad meeting with the presence of MPs owner of industries, namely Neemeh Efrem, Shawky Dakkash, Nazih Najem, Nicolas Nahhas, Mohammad Soleyman, Agop Therezian, Michel Daher, Roger Azar and Michel Moawad. LIA chief, Fadi Gemayel, opened the meeting calling for salvaging the national industry and institutions as well as the prospect of jobs for the Lebanese youth. Problems and risks are building up, Gemayel maintained, while officials are distracted by unnecessary scuffles. “War is being waged on us from all sides, internally and externally, mainly by illicit competition, dumping, illegitimate establishments and smuggling,” he grieved. This eventually led to the shutdown of hundreds of factories and the displacement of thousands of families, he said, declaring a state of alert and full preparedness to rescue what remained of the domestic industry. In turn, the industry minister, Wael Abu Fa3ur, pointed out that currently, industry is functioning unprotected from illegal foreign competition amidst the continuation of the unfair agreement signed between Lebanon and some countries. Measures taken by the ministry to this end are being opposed by supporters of revenue-generating economy, Abu Fa3ur noted. At the end of the meeting, MPs participants, signed an industrial memo of understanding which called notably for the following measures: end dumping, smuggling and illicit competition, enforcing compulsory procurement of refugee aid from local products and industry, boosting exports. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, March 28, 2019)

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Lebanese wines at Prowein Fair, Germany

28-3-2019

In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper drew attention to Lebanon’s presence at the 25th edition of Prowein International Fair, (specializing in wine) in Dusseldorf, Germany from March 17 to 19. The Lebanese pavilion hosted 8 wine producing companies, namely, Ksara, Ixsir, Kefraya, Adyar, Saint-Thomas, Heritage, Omsiyat and Domaine des Tourelles. The Lebanese wine has seen wide audience and attracted many wine and spirits professionals and visitors due to its excellent quality and relatively low price. More than 6,900 exhibitors from 64 countries participated and over 61,500 guests from 142 countries attended. (An Nahar, March 28, 2019)

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Developing employees’ technological skills

28-3-2019

The oil and gas economy and human resource development expert Fadi Jawad, elucidated yesterday the reality of the Lebanese and Arab labor market, pinpointing its needs and global trends in terms of recruitment requirements. Jawad was speaking during his participation in the conference, ‘Education: between specialization and the labor market’ organized by the Center for Development of Creativity (CDC) at the premises of the Tripoli and North Chamber. Jawad called on the ministry of administrative development to draft a study on the skill requirements of the labor market to avoid the buildup of university graduates in unwanted disciplines. He cited a report published by Oxford University which showed that nearly 47% of current jobs will not need manpower in the future, due to the development of robots and technology which is threatening the international labor market. The fast evolution the world is witnessing today with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, has led to the extinction of a large number of occupations, but noted that the shift to the digital world will generate new careers that will fill the vacancy gap. Towards the end of the conference, Jawad appealed to private sector business leaders and entrepreneurs to start putting strategies to empower their staff through building their skills in line with the technological uprising. (An Nahar, March 28, 2019)

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