More than 40 religious leaders, activists and journalists in Lebanon recently came together to exchange best practices and to support one another with their recently started community projects to promote religious tolerance. IREX is pleased to give a sneak peek of three of these projects and look forward to sharing their success once the projects are completed.
Project Name: Hand in Hand
Baalbak, Bekaa
After completing trainings on conflict mitigation and dialogue, 45 Christian and Muslim students (ages 15 to 20) will now raise awareness of environmental issues in their community. The youth will collaboratively campaign to educate their community about the harm of plastic bags and introduce reusable bags to local markets.
Sister Emilie Tannous was excited for the projects and had this to say,
“Baalback used to be the best touristic place in Lebanon. However nowadays it is known for its internal problems and political clashes… we need such projects in Baalback in order to remind its inhabitants that this city had always witnessed co-existence and diversity… the new generation needs to live this experience and learn that community service is a duty and common to all no matter what the person’s political and religious affiliations are…”
Project Name: Fighting Ignorance for a Healthier Community
Tripoli, North Lebanon
Sunni and Christian leaders are on their way to bringing together 30 students from two religious affiliated universities for an intense training course on religious tolerance. Upon completion, the youth will come up with their own community projects to implement, which they have decided will be either serving the elderly or disabled.
Project Name: Salim Ghazal Center for Dialogue
Mashghara, West Bekaa
The religious leaders identified a project to unite 200 youth between the ages of 13 to 17 from four different religious affiliated schools to renovate the Salim Ghazal Center. The Sunni, Shiite, and Christian students will work together to clean up, furnish, and decorate the center to serve as a space to facilitate future dialogue and activities for youth from different religious backgrounds.
One Community is implemented by IREX Lebanon in partnership with ADYAN Foundation and Nahar Ashabab, and is funded by DRL. The program works with faith-based community organizations and their leaders, to undertake community development projects that promote religious tolerance in Lebanon.