Other news

The Hospitality Services of the Levant inaugurated yesterday their annual forum in the tourism and food industries, HORECA Lebanon 2016, at the Biel Exhibition Center, Beirut. The event was held under the auspices of tourism minister, Michel Pharaon and in the presence of a number of ambassadors, heads of syndicates and professional associations concerned. The exhibition which has gained a reputation on the map of big regional events, is expected to last until April 8. This year, the expo is hosting some 385 participants, 15 events, 87 competitions and hands on workshops, in addition to high-profile chefs, from Lebanon and the world. The opening ceremony hosted the Beirut Beats, which is an urban culinary experience highlighting the distinct tastes of Lebanon that are well-known to the world. It should be noted that the organizers of the event have pledged to support the Resto Du Coeur charitable initiative by allocating a part of the proceeds from the entrance tickets to the organization. The latter has also received a bulk of supplies endowed by some exhibitors. (An Nahar, As Safir, April 6 2016)

 

 

In cooperation with the ‘No Garlic No Onions’ food blog, the Rotary Club of Saida, inaugurated last Sunday the ‘Souk El Akl’ at the traditional Khan el Franj market in the Old City. Unprecedented in this part of the country, the event’s proceeds will go to the Lebanese Red Cross. More than 2500 visitors from the southern capital and its environs flocked to the souk on the first day to taste the varieties of offered foods, juices and sweets. Different catering businesses based in Beirut and Saida displayed their products in the inner courtyard of the Khan and set tables for the guests, while not forgetting to entertain the kids who accompanied their parents on this outing. On the occasion, Rotaract Club-Saida president, Samira Assi, hailed the large number of participating businesses who competed to offer a wide range of mouthwatering cookeries on the beat of music in the fantastic archeological location of Khan el Franj.” (Al Mustaqbal, April 4, 2016)

 

For the eighth consecutive year, the Lebanon mountain trail kicked off last Sunday starting from Marjeyoon in the south and moving towards the town of Andkit in Akkar, in the north. The trail will overlap with another opposite march by some 25 Lebanese and foreign environmental activists starting from Andkit to Marjeyoon. This year’s one-month walk falls under the banner, ‘Together we salute and revive the traditional cuisine of our ancestors’ and brings together about 170 trekkers from 12 nationalities. Participants are expected to traverse some 27 villages and towns and to appreciate the local food heritage and popular dishes, as well as the traditional customs of rural areas of Lebanon. The event is planned to include various activities that will introduce the trekkers to the countryside. 

(Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, April 4, 2016)

 

In its issue of March 18, As Safir daily newspaper shed some light on silent suffering of transsexuals in Lebanon who feel out of tune with their biological gender or previous physical form. Confusing it with homosexuality, The article of the newspaper explained that the Lebanese society still largely confuses transsexuals with homosexuals and remain intolerant to both (with the exception of human rights activists or supportive organizations). There is a wide-spread stereotyping of people who admit their transgender reality. The are usually faced with rejection even from their immediate family, and are often refused work. Such rejection, As Safir went on to explain, complicates and renders their life very difficult, and results in serious psychological drawbacks, and eventually could even lead to prostitution. The newspaper interviewed Rami, a young man in his twenties, who recounted his transformation from a woman to a man. Rami described the relief and harmony he now experiences after the surgical transgender operation, but which is not yet completed. He said he believes that he is more fortunate than other transgender persons who face many problems and difficulties. (As Safir, March 18, 2016)

 

Al Akhbar daily published a feature article yesterday highlighting the widespread phenomenon of guesthouses across Lebanon. The newspaper spoke to the manager of ‘Diyafa’ network of countryside ecological lodgings, Maysoon Korban, who explained that these small hotels accommodate less than 10 vintage  rooms, allowing guests to share the social life of their hosts and to familiarise with the traditional dishes and daily customs of the town’s inhabitants. On the same subject, the president of the Youth and Local Committees Department at the Ministry of Tourism, Petra Obeid, pointed out that rural tourism has kicked off over 20 years ago and currently presents an added value to the country. Obeid underlined the importance of this sector as a job generating industry that gives local communities the opportunity to increase and diversify their income. It also contributes to the boosting of rural economies and to the empowerment of local communities, as well as to enhancement of the social integration process, particularly for women. In this respect, Obeid maintained, it gives women the chance to take part in local social and economic life through the provision of food and guest hosting inside their homes, and even to sell locally-made products. On the other hand, Korban noted, that these guesthouses have yet to reach the level of securing a steady income that makes business owners self-sufficient. (For full article, please visit: http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/254704). (Al Akhbar, March 23, 2016)

 

 

The Lebanese Industrial Research Achievements Program (LIRA) organized yesterday a ceremony to distribute awards for outstanding innovations undertaken by university students for the year 2016 under the patronage of Industry Minister, Dr. Hussein Haj Hassan. Also participating in the ceremony were the ministry’s director general, Dany Jad3on and the representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO, Cristiano Pasini. Some 28 research projects of a total cost of nearly LBP200 million were selected. Of the total amount 30% was funded by the Lira program. Following the selection, LIRA general coordinator, Saeed Hamadeh, gave a brief presentation of the program and the ongoing preparations for the forthcoming exhibition for industrial and scientific research achievements scheduled to be held next October. On the occasion, the second deputy governor of the Bank of Lebanon, Dr. Saad Andari, reiterated the Central Bank continuous support to the industrial sector and related technological and research initiatives. Similarly, the general director of the National Council for Scientific Research Dr. Mu3een Hamzah stated that the event reflected the extent of progress made so far by the LIRA program the important role it plays in linking scientific research and the production sectors. For his part, Minster Haj Hassan congratulated the winning students praising their distinctive competence, while expressing hope in a quick recovery of the national economy so that it can accommodate such great youth talents.  (An Nahar, As Safir, Al Diyar, March 23, 2016)

 

For some time now, Tripoli has witnessed various training events aiming at developing the leadership and entrepreneurship capacities of youth. As such, and in partnership with the Youth Entrepreneurs Club in Tripoli and the support of City Foundation, Injaz Lebanon launched the fourth workshop entitled ‘Innovation Camp’. The one day event was full of activities which mainly centered on creativity, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking and presentation skills through inspiring students to invent solutions and generate concepts that address a genuine business challenge. Some 63 students partook in the workshop which was held at Al Azm School in the northern capital. The participating schools were: Tripoli Public High School for Girls, George Sarraf Public High School and Al Azm School. Students were divided into 8 groups and were asked by the Youth Entrepreneurs Club to devise a product or service that reflects a bright image of Tripoli and encourage people to discover its livable side. The winning project ‘Tripoli Inspiration’ presented the notion of an internet and mobile application to highlight the entrepreneurship aspect through the registration and promotion of the various emerging businesses set up inside the city. In a related vein, the Leadership Program Level II session started yesterday pursuant to the memorandum of understanding between the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Tripoli and the North and the American University of Beirut to launch continuing education programs. Participants in the above training course came from the various regions of the North. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, March 22, 2016)

 

In coordination with the United Nations Information Center in Beirut (UNIC), the Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS) held a ceremony last week at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut to announce the winners of the ‘youth citizen entrepreneurship for 2016’ competition.  Targeting public and private high schools, the contest aimed at stimulating  creativity and innovation in secondary classes students through broadening their imagination skills in the design of their small enterprises in a way that contributes to building their capacities and promoting their entrepreneurial initiatives. Participants presented 14 projects out of which the jury chose the best three. As such, the first place went to the ‘Golden Basket’ project from Al Hadi Institution for the Visual and Hearing Impairments and Language and Communication Disabilities. It presents a solution to the garbage crisis through the immediate sorting of waste by using sensors, lights and sound devices. The second prize went to the ‘From Garbage to Energy’ initiative from Qernayel Public High School, which converts waste to biogas through the use of high temperatures in an oxygen-free location. The third winner was the ‘Pico Pi’ project from Zahia Salman Mixed High School of Beirut. It is a kit designed to help students present their lectures on screen, or allows film lovers to watch movies using the Raspberry Pi concept that directly hooks with the battery. (An Nahar, March 21, 2016)

 

The Ministry of Labor reminded in a statement released on Wednesday employers who wish to recruit foreign workforce that they need to give priority to competent Lebanese youth who qualify for available jobs. The statement warned that it is the ministry’s duty to “track and legally pursue any violator of the above term, noting that the relevant departments receiving any grievances are prepared to resolve them as fast as possible.” The ministry also appealed to all foreign companies and multinationals implementing development projects for the private and public sectors on Lebanese territory, “to initially consider the Lebanese cadres, who are numerous and of all disciplines.” On the other hand, labor ministry inspectors have processed notices and tickets for violating employers who recruit foreign workers that have no work permits or residence papers or are holders of  permits from former employers. A number of companies have been referred to the public prosecution to this effect. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, March 17, 2016)