Implemented by UNESCO in partnership with the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD) in Jounieh where it is located, the Green Demonstration Room plays a crucial role in preparing students to tackle environmental challenges. It provides essential knowledge and skills for a climate-ready future."If I were to build a house in the future, it would be environmentally friendly by relying on solar energy and wind turbines to meet the house's energy needs without polluting the environment." – Bahaa El Din, 14 years oldSince its activation, the Green Demonstration Room has made a significant difference. In 2023, it welcomed 525 students from 21 schools. This year, it has hosted 1582 students from 70 schools, showing the growing importance of environmental education. Students like Bahaa learn practical ways to support a sustainable future, such as using renewable energy and recycling.The program offers a well-rounded educational experience. It begins with a training at the Green Demonstration Room, where students engage in activities covering green building concepts, energy efficiency, water conservation, environmental issues, physical phenomena, cultural arts, and music. This holistic approach helps students gain a broad understanding of sustainability.Yara Constantine, a biology teacher, observes, "Through this day, the students have learned how to protect the environment in very simple ways." Students also learn about alternative energy sources; as Nivine Saab, a math teacher, notes, "They also learned how to produce electricity using alternative methods to the commonly known ones." Amal Al Qays, a supervisor and health advisor, shares, "We are very excited to go home and implement everything we have learned here."   These testimonials reflect the transformative power of the Greening Education Initiative in shaping young minds to think and act sustainably. The hands-on experience and comprehensive educational approach inspire both students and teachers to embrace environmental responsibility.After visiting the Green Demonstration Room, students continue their learning through various school-based activities. They receive a Certificate of Commitment, pledging their dedication to environmental conservation. This certificate marks their transformation into climate action ambassadors, empowering them to promote sustainable practices within their communities. As agents of change, these students are committed to applying their newfound knowledge to inspire their peers and families, particularly within their schools and homes, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.Maysoun Chehab, Chief of Education and Senior Program Specialist at UNESCO Beirut Office, reflects, "The Greening Education Initiative in Lebanon, supported by UNESCO, is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about inspiring young minds like Bahaa El Din to envision and create an environmentally friendly world. By equipping Lebanese students with commitments, tools, and understanding to harness renewable energy and adopt sustainable practices, we are empowering them to become the architects of Lebanon's sustainable future, ensuring a greener tomorrow for their nation."Looking ahead, the initiative will expand its impact through several key activities. Upcoming events in 2024 will include significant training opportunities. In September, UNESCO Beirut will host 48 teachers and 24 principals from 24 schools for Teachers and Principals Training who will be trained by the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD) experts. The training aims to equip school leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to integrate sustainable practices effectively within their institutions.Moreover, the development of a comprehensive strategy for sustainable education is moving towards completion. The Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD), supported by UNESCO, is finalizing a National Policy on Greening Education. This strategy is being shaped by a National Committee that includes representatives from nine key ministries, fifteen Lebanese NGOs focused on sustainability and youth, relevant agencies, the private sector, and parent representatives. Their collaborative work is crucial for establishing a unified approach to climate change education in Lebanon.The Greening Education Initiative is essential for equipping students, educators and their community with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to navigate the green and digital transitions. Through this initiative, education becomes a powerful tool for fostering environmental stewardship and preparing the next generation to tackle global challenges.  

 The Lebanese Council to Resist Violence Against Woman, or LECORVAW, is a non-governmental organization working with UNFPA support to combat gender-based violence. Aya is an 18-year-old Lebanese woman living with hemiplegia, a condition caused by brain damage or spinal cord injury that leads to paralysis on one side of the body. Aya is determined to prove that with dedication and resilience, anything is possible. As a person with a disability, Aya faced significant barriers in finding employment opportunities. Despite her qualifications and determination, employers often overlooked her potential due to misconceptions about her capabilities. She was also at heightened risk of exploitation and gender-based violence.Aya attended one of LECORVAW’s awareness-raising sessions on gender-based violence at the Rahma for Special Needs centre and enrolled in a LECORVAW skills-building class.Aya also attended a UNFPA-funded project at Rahma Medical Centre. There, she discovered her passion for soap-making. Her condition meant that she was initially unable to participate fully in the sessions. But with enthusiasm and determination, she succeeded in learning how to create beautiful fragrant soaps.Aya has started her own business selling handmade soaps. Starting her own business not only provided her with a source of income but also gave her a sense of empowerment. Her business served as a crucial means of safeguarding herself against potential gender-based violence. By establishing her own business and becoming financially independent, Aya gained a sense of autonomy and control over life that significantly reduced her exposure to such threats.At the end of the session, Aya asked to be included in LECORVAW's skills-building activities. She wants her success to inspire others to overcome their obstacles like she overcame hers: she has been sharing her knowledge and experience to empower those around her, especially her coursemates in the Rahma Centre.

The series is the brainchild of Denise Jabbour and Muriel Aboulrouss. Before 2019, the cultural and creative industries were one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy of Lebanon. In 2019 it was estimated that they accounted for 4.75 per cent of the country’s GDP and employed 4.5 per cent of its official labour force. This figure rises to 20 per cent if the informal workforce is taken into account. The multifaced crisis facing Lebanon in the past four years has created huge difficulties for the cultural and creative industries. In the absence of opportunities and social protection, artists and cultural professionals have found themselves in difficult circumstances. Denise and Muriel were not immune to the crisis. “At the beginning of 2023, we had made the decision not to produce a new season”, says Denise. “Then the BERYT project came to our rescue.” The BERYT project supports proposals aimed at promoting and reviving culture and the arts. The project is led by UN-Habitat Lebanon. It receives funding from the Lebanon Financing Facility, administered by the World Bank. UNESCO is responsible for implementing the programme in connection with the cultural and creative industries. BERYT provides emergency grant assistance to artists and cultural practitioners in difficulty. Under the initial call for proposals, 93 grants were awarded; in 2024, there will be a second call, extending aid to vulnerable practitioners. This signals ongoing support for Beirut’s cultural revival. The BERYT project has given the Zyara team renewed dedication to continue their creative journey and embark on a new season. “The Lebanese community is a rich source of heartfelt narratives”, says Denise. “We’re confident that life will support us in overcoming any challenge, and we’re dedicated to safeguarding our nation and upholding our cultural identity.”

A tailor-made training course on protecting cultural heritage was delivered at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tyre between July and September 2023.The course, which was delivered by the Lebanese NGO Biladi and endorsed by Cultural Emergency Response, consisted of 12 days of training, including field visits to museums and sites that had been reconstructed after being damaged in war.This initiative is a result of long-term cooperation between UNESCO and UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Armed Forces, the Lebanese Civil Defence and the Red Cross were also involved. This was the first time that these bodies had collaborated with archaeologists and the local community to better understand how to work together to protect heritage during emergencies. One month after they completed the course, the participants were unexpectedly asked to put the knowledge and skills they learned on the course into practice when they were called upon to evacuate a number of objects to the National Museum in Beirut. “Being trained with army officers helped us to evacuate the objects successfully, using best practices in heritage preservation”, says Ali Badawi, head of the archaeological sites in southern Lebanon. “This training helped me to understand and take pride in my heritage”, says Mariam Balhas, a Red Cross first-aider in Tyre. “I now know that I can play a role in preserving it, a consideration that never crossed my mind before.