News updates

Azm wa Saadeh association for Human Development organized in collaboration with the International Arab Academy for Training, the “Development Ambassador” and the Be Clever Centre; a training workshop entitled “the power of will and attracting employment opportunities”.  The training was facilitated by international trainer Dr. Mohammed Maymoun who presented mechanisms for strengthening will and attraction, whilst clarifying the difference between negative and positive awareness and ways for stimulation towards achieving goals.  The training was concluded with a speech by the director of Azm human development center, who outlined the strategy of the centre, which seeks to run internationally certified training workshops, in order to strengthen sustainable human development in Lebanon and in the Arab world

Source: Al-Nahar 30 November 2013

The Artisan du Liban launched a joint social and economic solidarity project in its Tripoli centre in collaboration with Al Azm wal Saadeh and Safadi workshops, First Step  association (Fista) for special education, and Oasis of Joy association.  The project aims to facilitate marketing and provide income generating employment opportunities to artisans seeking to improve their living conditions.  The project will aim to market various craft products of workshops operated by partner social and humanitarian organisations in the North.  Some 240 products from various producers will benefit from this initiative which will try and overcome competition in favor of complementarity and diversity.

The responsible of the department consultancy and development at the Artisan du Liban, Rola Haidar noted that this project is not a temporary exhibition but a permanent venue for marketing products of partner workshops so that customers can have access to better quality products which have a social and cultural value.

Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Safir 30 November 2013

The National Quality Day was launched yesterday during an event organised by the Quality Programme in the Ministry of Economy and Trade (MoET) and which is funded by the European Union.  The event was held at the Adnan Kassar building for Arab Economy and coincided with the International Quality Day.  Minister of Economy and Trade Nicolas Nahhas announced the selection of 30 food industries in Lebanon as recipients of technical; support and counseling from the programme’s expert and so as to enable them to receive the international ISO 22000 and ISO 22005 certificates.
The director of the quality programme at the MoET, Ali Berro, highlighted in his speech the main achievements of the programme namely supporting 14 official laboratories and providing them with modern lab equipments as well as with training and counseling.  From these, 11 were able to receive international certificates from European bodies.  In addition, 50 industries and companies were provided with training and counseling to enable them to adopt and implement quality control systems.  Of these, 40 companies and factories were able to receive the management system certification ISO 9001 as well as the certificate of food safety ISO 22000.
The Head of the Economic Committees Adnan Kassar indicated for his part that commitment to international standards allows a better control of the market and contributes to increasing products competitiveness and will therefore facilitate trade.  He added that securing the ISO is very important to Lebanese industries as it ensures credibility and facilitates external markets.
The heads of operation at the European Union Delegation in Lebanon, Diego Escalona Paturel, noted that the EU will provide aid in 2014 and 2015 towards new food safety technology in addition to supporting the set up of a monitoring body which will promote possibilities of exporting food products.  This support will be through the quality programme at the MoET with the help of experts dispatched by the European Union.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Safir 29 November 2013

Tobacco growers in Shakra (Bint Jbeil) called on tobacco growers to protest and challenge injustice and to reclaim their rights.  Tobacco growers also called for the setting of mechanisms for advocacy which would ensure the redistribution of licenses on the basis of merit, the recognition of tenure, and incorporation in the national social security scheme.  Tobacco growers also asked for a raise in the level of prices of Tobacco delivery, so as to absorb the rising high cost of living by bringing up the price per kilogram to LBP 15,000 as minimum.  Other demands included the reactivation of the Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs offices, paying compensation for damages caused by the 2006 Israeli war, purchasing all the harvest by the Regie, abolishing favoritism and parochial practices within the Regie and putting limits to the existing black market.  Tobacco growers threatened that failing to meet their demands will lead to a mass revolt.
In their open letter entitled “from the South to the Nation”, they indicated that more than 11,000 Southern families are involved in the tobacco industry and are suffering from endemic hardship.  They noted that farmers receive a yearly income of USD 3000 from the harvest of 4 dunnums yielding 400 kilos of tobacco per year, an income which is not sufficient to sustain the livelihood of an average family of 5 individuals.  The letter recalls the hard-won battle for setting up a trade union for tobacco growers in Nabatyeh and which cost was in human lives back in 1972 and criticize the weak role of their trade union, in addressing the presently dire situation.  The letter concludes that their trade union has surely been co-opted by the Regie and has, since then, given up on its obligations and commitments.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 28 November 2013

Tawwasol just started training workshops in costume jewelry making in Ain el Helweh targeting orphan young women who dropped out from schooling and in order to assist them in earning an income.  According to the project coordinator, Alaa Abou Daher, this initiative also seeks to create work opportunities to orphans’ mothers who, after assessing their capabilities, will be recruited to assist in running these workshops.  Other training in hairdressing and beautician are also being prepared.  A number of Palestinian young women from Lebanon and from Syria and of different ages are partaking in this workshop with the hope of learning a future trade which will assist them in securing some financial autonomy and will allow them to help their families.

Tawassol will be providing the raw material such as beads and rhinestones as well as the trainers and facilitating marketing of products though local exhibitions.

Source: Al-Safir 27 November 2013

BBAC won the award for the “rural development” category of the third edition of the Social and Economic Awards offered to the bank for its contribution to the “Live Lebanon” initiative which is implemented by the Bank with financial support of the UNDP and within the framework of the CDR programme entitled Local Social Development for a Better Lebanon. It is to be noted the initiative has implemented, during 2013, some 15 development projects located in remote rural areas of Lebanon.
The award was granted during a ceremony organised by First Protocol in collaboration with the Central Bank, Association of Banks in Lebanon, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the Franchise association, the Federation of Lebanese business people, as well as a number of private sector companies.
Source: Al-Diyar 27 November 2013

Ten Arab women, who are distinguished in sciences, received the women in science award for the Arab region and which was granted by L’Oreal Company in collaboration with UNESCO.  Each award amounts to USD 15,000 and is donated in recognition of the role of these women in furthering science in the Arab region.  The awards were distributed during an event held at the Sheikh Zayed University on November 6th 2013m, to the below distinguished women:

• Fatima Al-Jasmi – UAE - Canadian College of Medical Genetics in Biochemical Genetics
• Naeema Al-Darmaki – UAE - Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering at the UAE University
• Fatima Mraiche – Qatar - Pharmacology - Assistant Professor:
• Amira Senbel – Egypt - Associate Professor, Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Deputy - Director of Quality Assurance Center, Alexandria University, Egypt:
• Sherien El-Agroudy – Egypt - Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering:
• Sanaa Sharafeddine – Lebanon - Associate Professor of Computer Science at the Lebanese American University LAU
• Ines Yacoubi – Tunisia - PhD in Biology Engineering, Assistant Professor at laboratory of Plant Protection and Improvement, Centre of Biotechnologie of Sfax-Tunisia
• Sherin AlFalah – Palestine - PhD in natural science; theoretical chemistry
• Saja Al Zoubi – Syria - Ph.D. in Agronomy "Evaluation Development Projects"; Researcher in Syrian General Commission for Scientific agricultural research (GCSAR); Head of Socio-Economic Studies research department; and Socio-Economic expert at ACF & ACSAD
• Nihad Al-Masri – Jordan - Assistant Professor at University of Jordan / Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences /Department of Physiotherapy

For more information please check the For Women In Science website.

Source: Al-Nahar 26 November 2013

Within the framework of the second phase of the project aiming at strengthening the rights of migrant domestic workers, a project which is implemented by the ILO and funded by the EU and targets migrant women domestic workers from Francophone Africa, a meeting was held yesterday at the premises of the National Federation of Trade Unions of Workers and Employees in Lebanon in order to develop a comprehensive work plan of action.  The work plan which is being prepared by a special committee seeks to introduce MWDW to their rights and responsibilities and to ways to defend their rights.  The preparatory meeting was attended by representatives of the ILO and civil society organisations and the National Federation of Trade Unions of Workers and Employees in Lebanon in addition to trade union leaders from Asia. At the end of the meeting, the prep committee agreed on a number of recommendations namely the design of a detailed timetable of activities in preparation for the launching of the second phase of the project.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 26 November 2013

The Safadi Foundation organised two new workshop in their women academy in Tripoli -Dahr el-Mgharr, which were attended by 10 women with ages ranging between 30 and 60 years, and aiming to help women in undertaking a quick identification of problems and needs in their neighborhoods through using direct and organised observation to help them deduce possible solutions.  The first workshop was facilitated by the director of the social development department at the Safadi Foundation, Samira Baghdadi, whilst the second workshop was facilitated by Dr. Maha Kyal, a researcher in sociology and anthropology.
Source: L’Orient Le Jour 25 November 2013

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Hussein Hage Hassan, inaugurated, last week, a new milk processing center located in the village of Bazalieh, in Northern Beqaa in the presence of the director of the rehabilitation of animal production sector at the FAO, Dr. Shazli Kayyouli and the head of the agriculture directorate in the Bekaa, Ali Raad.
In his keynote address, Hassan noted that this project is part of a series of projects initiated in different localities such as Zahleh and the Western Bekaa in order to produce milk and dairy products with higher quality specifications so as to ensure, as a result, better yields and profits for farmers.  The Minister also noted that his Ministry has been working for the past 4 years on vaccination campaigns in order to protect milk production and cows. He added that these centres are equipped to carry out lab tests prior to milk production and so as to increase trust in the products and set the right prices.
Source: Al-Nahar 25 November 2013