In commemoration of the United Nations’ 80th anniversary, the UN in Lebanon honored eight winning youth during the “UN80 Through Youth Eyes’’ event held at the UN House on 27 November 2025. The event brought together UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza, Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian, the Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network (UNGCN) in Lebanon, Ms. Deena Fakhoury, along with representatives from universities, and partners. Eight young creators were awarded the title “UN Youth Voices 2025” for winning the UN80 competition with their artistic submissions.  Launched on UN Day, 24 October 2025, in collaboration with the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon and Minister Bayrakdarian, the competition invited youth aged 17–25 to convey their vision of Lebanon through a photo essay, graphic artwork, or short video. Participants responded to one of two guiding questions through their audiovisual work: (1) In your opinion, how can the UN help address a challenge facing Lebanon?  (2) If you could create a UN Youth Goal, how would you visualize it?Out of 52 submissions, a jury of experts selected eight winners, along with one overall winner recognized for the emotional impact, creativity and technical quality of her short video. The winners showcased their work in an interactive session during the UN80 commemoration event at the UN House in Beirut, moderated by content creator and social media influencer Edward Nammour. All winners received prizes provided by private sector partners, including Malia Group, Domtech, ITG Holding, and i-engineering Group. Speaking at the event, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza underscored the importance of youth engagement in decision-making processes.“If we want change, youth leadership cannot be optional,” he said. For her part, Minister Bayrakdarian highlighted the need to support young people, noting that “they cannot achieve change alone. Our duty is to amplify their voices and create environments where they can thrive.”  Whereas UN Global Compact Network Director in Lebanon reminded the youth: “Your voice makes a difference. You are not alone, the next 80 years are yours.”  On the sidelines of the event, and in celebration of UN@80, a photo exhibition was organized at the entrance of the UN House, featuring 14 photo stories captured by UN colleagues across Lebanon. The collection showcased a range of thematic areas covered by UN entities throughout the country in support of the people of Lebanon.  Also, on the sidelines of the event, attendees had the chance to watch a powerful Virtual Reality documentary Dreaming of Lebanon, produced by the UN Special Coordinator Office in Lebanon in collaboration with the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA); a deeply human exploration of people's aspirations through human stories in a country scarred by subsequent crises. The immersive experience left many participants speechless.   Watch below a wrap-up video of Lebanon’s UN80 initiative.  In addition, and on UN Day, the UN in Lebanon partnered with the state-run Tele Liban for a special edition of its “Ahla Sabah’’ morning show on 24 October. The live broadcast brought together UN partners, experts, and staff to highlight the Organization’s impact across peace and security, development, humanitarian action, and human rights, featuring real stories of collaboration with the people of Lebanon. You can watch the full episode below: 

“Since 1983, our feet have worn out from endlessly chasing news. I still sit at home thinking the door might knock any minute… I will kiss his feet if he comes back. I have never been able to accept it, as if he left only yesterday. I tell my children: I won’t forgive you if I die and you don’t ask about your brother.” Muntaha Haidar, mother of a disappeared person.For Muntaha, the search for truth has been a lifelong journey marked by loss and persistence. Her son disappeared during Lebanon’s civil war, leaving behind questions that no one could answer. Decades later, her story has become part of a new collective effort to keep memory alive. As one of the women who shared their testimonies in a new online course on the missing and forcibly disappeared, Muntaha speaks of pain and endurance, reminding learners that remembrance is also an act of justice.Across Lebanon, thousands of families like Muntaha’s continue to wait for answers. Nearly four decades since the end of the civil war, the fate of an estimated 17,000 people remains unknown. While the 2018 Law 105 established the National Commission for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared, many families and advocates believe that real justice also depends on preserving collective memory and helping new generations understand this chapter of history as their own.This is where education becomes a bridge between remembrance and reform.“This initiative directly supports the Government’s efforts to strengthen national capacities for truth‑seeking and social recovery. By embedding these themes into education, we are contributing to Lebanon’s broader development trajectory, one where empowered institutions, informed citizens, and gender‑responsive policies work together to help ensure that such suffering is never repeated,” explained UN Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza. Education as a Bridge to JusticeLebanon’s first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the missing and forcibly disappeared from a gender perspective was launched in October 2025. The course was developed by SEEDS for Legal Initiatives and La Sagesse University, in partnership with UN Women and UN Development Programme (UNDP), with the contributions of OHCHR and the support of the Government of Canada. It explores the legacy of the missing through a human rights and gender lens, connecting the struggles of the past to the responsibilities of the present.   Through video lectures, testimonies, and interactive materials, the course allows learners to understand how women – mothers, partners, sisters, and daughters – have carried the emotional, social, and economic burden of enforced disappearances while leading the fight for truth and justice.  From Loss to Learning: Education, Empathy, and DialogueWith the UN’s support, this initiative turns pain into education and activism into curriculum. As one of the first academic resources on gender and transitional justice in Lebanon, it provides teachers, students, and practitioners with tools to analyze the interplay between enforced disappearance, gender, and human rights – topics that were long absent from university programs.Since its launch, the course has drawn wide interest from students and civil society actors, with hundreds enrolling to explore how memory and justice intersect. Several universities are moving to integrate it in their curricula; La Sagesse University already uses it as a key reference in its legal studies program. One student who completed the course said it reshaped her understanding of Lebanon’s past and of her own family’s story. “While watching the videos at home, my father sat beside me, listening to every word,” she said. “That’s when I discovered my grandfather was among the disappeared – a story my family had never spoken about.”  This human impact – shifting attitudes, deepening empathy, and bridging generations – is what makes the course transformative. Designed to spark dialogue between academics and policymakers on integrating transitional justice into education, it also encourages families and young people to speak about remembrance and healing across generations. For students, the MOOC offers a safe space to discuss the war years and their aftermath, something rarely done openly in Lebanon. For families of the disappeared, it offers recognition that their decades-long struggle is not forgotten.The course’s success reflects a growing commitment to address Lebanon’s legacy of conflict through inclusive and gender-transformative approaches. By advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda as a tool for transitional justice, the course shows how women’s experiences and agency are central to peacebuilding, offering a resource that women’s rights organizations and community peacebuilders can use to train young mediators and community activists on memory, dialogue, and accountability.“This course invests in knowledge and awareness—tools that empower the next generation to engage constructively with Lebanon’s history and build a culture of truth and reconciliation,” says Blerta Aliko, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon. Echoing this, UN Women Representative Gielan El-Messiri stresses that the course fills a critical gap: “For too long, gender-specific experiences were absent from transitional justice processes. This course brings women’s stories to the heart of national memory.”
   Towards a Culture of Truth and Non-RecurrenceThe initiative reinforces collaboration between Lebanese academic institutions and civil society, turning universities into spaces of reflection and social change. Through the partnership between SEEDS for Legal Initiatives and La Sagesse University, the MOOC shows how national actors, supported by UN entities/international partners, can lead innovation in transitional justice and contribute to intergenerational dialogue about Lebanon’s violent past.Beyond its immediate reach, the course has the potential to shape broader reform efforts in Lebanon. As more educators and policymakers engage with its content, it could influence how history and civic education are taught, helping future generations to discuss Lebanon’s conflicts with openness and empathy.While education cannot replace long-awaited answers, it helps build a shared national memory that honors the disappeared and reinforces a commitment to justice and non-recurrence. By bringing remembrance into classrooms, the MOOC ensures that young people understand these violations, empathize with affected families, and help prevent such injustices from happening again. This initiative was implemented by UN Women and UNDP, with contributions from OHCHR, and with the generous support of the Government of Canada, in close partnership with local stakeholders.Lebanon’s first Massive Open Online Course on the missing and forcibly disappeared would not have been possible without the generous support from the Government of Canada, one of Lebanon’s top donors. Since 2016, Canada has contributed almost $540 million USD to Lebanon, strengthening protection, gender equality, social stability, food security, and health, among others. Canada is also a strong champion of pooled funding, supporting both the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) and the Lebanon Recovery Fund (LRF). Further details on international assistance to Lebanon are available in the Lebanon Aid Tracking reports:  https://tinyurl.com/yc3deusc **This story was co-drafted by Ms. Diana Assaf (UN Women) and Ms. Kawsar Fahs (UNDP), with the support of Ms. Nadine Abi Zeid Daou (RCO/UNIC Beirut). The accompanying videos were produced by SEEDS for Legal Initiatives.

Under the bright October sun, around 60 people from families, partners, and community members gathered at Nature by Marc Beyrouthy in Lebanon to celebrate World Food Day 2025—a day dedicated to the power of food to connect, sustain, and inspire.Under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, the event was organized by ACT 4 Tomorrow NGO in close collaboration with the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with 4 renowned Lebanese chefs.  The Family Day celebration included hands-on activities: live cooking stations with the chefs who showed how we can help reduce food waste by using all ingredients at hand, interactive workshops on upcycling and sustainable practices, guided botanical tours, and awareness sessions on biodiversity and eco-friendly living. Local SMEs were also present, showcasing creative approaches to sustainable food systems and responsible consumption. By reducing waste, supporting local producers, and choosing sustainably, families can play a vital role in building a food-secure future.“This day reminds us that food has the power to bring people together around shared values,” said Paul Sroujean President of ACT 4 Tomorrow. “Through awareness and action, we can turn everyday choices into meaningful contributions to sustainability.”“I am very happy to celebrate World Food Day, which FAO marks each year, and this year it coincides with the Organization’s 80th anniversary,” said Nora Ourabah Haddad, FAO’s Representative in Lebanon. “This remarkable partnership unites children and families in raising awareness of this important cause.” “We are delighted to celebrate World Food Day alongside many inspiring partners that are working together to try to minimize food waste and make best use all the amazing products Lebanon can make”“Through initiatives like this, we celebrate not just World Food Day, but the power of community,” said Cynthia Darrous UNIC Beirut’s Officer-in-Charge. “When families learn and act together, they inspire change that would lead to more sustainable practices.” 

The recent conflict in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, which further escalated significantly in late 2024, has left a trail of devastation. Thousands have lost their lives, countless areas have been reduced to rubble, and critical infrastructure has been shattered. At the height of the crisis, about 1.3 million people were internally displaced. The sheer scale of destruction has resulted in millions of tons of debris, posing both immediate hazards and long-term recovery challenges. Amid this destruction, the United Nations has mobilized a ‘UN Debris Taskforce’, to coordinate a sustainable and human rights-based approach to debris management. The Task Force aims to ensure a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible recovery while safeguarding affected communities’ rights to housing, health, and a safe environment. War Debris: An Opportunity for Lebanon’s Recovery The unprecedented destruction has transformed once-thriving neighborhoods into hazardous zones. Families returning to their homes face significant risks from unexploded ordnance (UXOs), environmental contaminants, and structurally compromised buildings. Additionally, schools and some of Lebanon’s cultural heritage sites now lie in ruins.  Structural collapses and the mixing of domestic waste with debris have exacerbated health and environmental hazards, creating an urgent need for intervention.“The environmental and safety challenges are immense,” said Mrs. Jihan Seoud, an expert from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with extensive experience in debris management. “But with the right strategies and collaboration, we can turn this crisis into an opportunity for sustainable recovery.”A structured approach to debris management prioritizes recycling and reuse, reducing the demand for new construction materials while promoting a circular economy. This also creates socio-economic opportunities, enabling communities to participate actively in rebuilding efforts.Mr. Hassan Dbouk, Mayor of Tyre and Head of the Tyre Union of Municipalities, highlighted the importance of swift action. “Proper damage assessment is essential to map and categorize targeted buildings, estimate the volume of debris, and create a transport plan to ensure smooth collection and disposal.” He stressed that recycling materials like steel and aluminum must be prioritized to reduce reliance on raw resources and promote sustainability.Dbouk’s insight underscores the need to prioritize debris management as a cornerstone of recovery efforts. For Lebanon’s recovery to be effective, the government must play a central role in leading and coordinating debris management efforts, working alongside municipalities, international organizations, and affected communities. This includes defining ownership of debris, streamlining legal procedures, and identifying processing and disposal sites. Engaging local communities and returnees in rebuilding efforts ensures a more inclusive and impactful recovery process. Public awareness campaigns are critical, not only to prevent accidents involving unexploded ordnance (UXOs), hazardous materials, or structural building cracks, but also to engage and empower citizens in the recovery process. To address these risks, the UN partnered with the Lebanese Armed Forces to launch an awareness campaign on the dangers of UXOs. Additionally, it collaborated with the Ministry of Culture to launch a campaign aimed at preserving and protecting debris in heritage sites.Furthermore, by assessing debris for recyclables and hazardous content, and encouraging the reuse of materials in rehabilitation and reconstruction, Lebanon can reduce its reliance on new resources while addressing environmental threats. Accordingly, the UN, through its specialized agencies, has stepped in by undertaking a ‘Rapid Impact Assessment’ grounded in local voices, providing data from 135 areas in the post-war period across health, education, business and more, and calling for immediate action toward a people-centered recovery in the affected areas. It also conducted remote building damage assessments in the South, Nabatiyeh, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel governorates and the southern suburbs of Beirut (spanning parts of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon governorates), covering 15 districts.    Picking up the Pieces: The challenging return of citizens    In the city of Nabatiyeh, the return of displaced residents is both hopeful and challenging. Streets once filled with bustling life now stand in ruins, and families returning home must navigate the overwhelming task of rebuilding from the rubble. It was a painful homecoming, marked by loss but also by a strong determination to start again, to rebuild, to simply survive.“After we entered our destroyed building to collect a few belongings, we gathered old family pictures that were still intact,” shared a displaced resident returning to his city Nabatiyeh. “We couldn’t afford to clear the rubble ourselves, so we asked a local contractor to remove the debris in exchange for salvaging any steel and recyclables.”This approach, while practical to avoid high costs of removal and transportation fees, often means that valuable materials for reconstruction are lost, and unregulated removal can create additional environmental and safety risks. Ensuring a structured, government-led debris management strategy is essential to prevent these hazards.  The UN Debris Taskforce: Initiating a Joint Sustainable Framework  At the core of UN Lebanon’s post-conflict efforts is the UN Debris Taskforce (DTF), which has developed a comprehensive framework to guide debris management in the aftermath of the conflict. The DTF is composed of ten UN entities (UN-Habitat, UNEP, UNDP, ILO, OCHA, UNMAS, UNESCO, IOM, FAO, and UNOPS) working collaboratively to ensure that debris removal is safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible while ensuring that affected populations actively participate in the recovery process.“Our goal is not just to help clear debris in the most effective ways, but to do so in a way that safeguards the environment and public health,” explained Imran Riza, the UN Resident Coordinator in Lebanon. “We are committed to promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices that support long-term recovery and resilience.”   Elie Mansour, an UN-Habitat expert, underscored the importance of health and safety in such initiative. “Effective debris management begins with inspecting the debris for unexploded ordnance or other contaminants,” he said. “If sorting or recycling can’t occur on-site, debris should be safely transported to designated processing locations. Recycling must be prioritized to recover materials for reconstruction.”The Task Force is also leveraging international methodologies to estimate debris volume, enabling effective planning for removal, recycling and disposal in environmentally approved sites, such as abandoned quarries, to prevent further degradation of Lebanon’s landscapes. Partnerships for Recovery A successful recovery depends on collaboration between multiple stakeholders, which the UN is working closely with the Government, including the Ministries of Environment, Public Works, Health, and Culture, along with local municipalities and unions, are the main actors in shaping and implementing a sustainable debris management strategy.The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Lebanese Mine Action Center (LMAC) also play a crucial role in risk assessments and UXO clearance, working closely with municipalities to address the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war. Additionally, academic institutions provide the technical expertise in debris quantification and management.Meanwhile, the private sector, particularly the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, also plays a pivotal role. Through public-private partnerships, they are introducing innovative recycling technologies and sustainable practices that create jobs and reduce waste.“We see this as an opportunity to build back better and greener,” said a spokesperson from the Association of Lebanese Industrialists. “Our circular economy initiatives can transform debris into reusable construction materials, fostering economic growth and reducing pollution.”Ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and social protections for debris removal workers remains a key priority for the UN. These principles remain central to the UN’s advocacy efforts with the Government and other partners, reinforcing a recovery process built on fairness, safety, and dignity.   A Vision for Lebanon’s Future: A Rights-based and Sustainable RecoveryLebanon’s path to recovery is long, but with coordinated efforts from the government, UN, local stakeholders, and international partners, a sustainable future is within reach. By prioritizing sustainable debris management practices, cultural and environmental preservation, and a human rights-based approach, Lebanon can build a stronger, more prosperous future. “This crisis has tested us all,” said Riza. “But it has also shown us the strength of collective action and the power of the coordinated efforts of the UN and its partners, especially the government.” As Lebanon takes its first steps toward recovery, the hope is that these efforts will not only restore what has been lost but also lay the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future.