In collaboration with Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) and the Federation of Arkoub Municipalities, Tamaddon association organized a workshop entitled ‘Muncipal capacity building and conflict management’ in Ibl al Saqi, Marje3yoon. On the occasion, FNF head, Dirk Kunze, outlined the foundation’s concerted efforts aimed at providing know-how in capacity building and conflict management skills to uplift the development work and service provision of municipalities. Similarly, Ayman Trad, from the ministry of displacement affairs, said the region is in need of a comprehensive development plan in order to eradicate deprivation and marginalization. “The policy of mending is no longer useful and there is a pressing need to end injustice at all levels of infrastructure, including sewerage, drinking water as well as, schools and hospitals,” Trade said. In a parallel line, the Social Cultural Association in Beqaa, in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, held last Friday a workshop on the ‘capacity building of youth’ which saw the participation of over 30 young people from the North Beqaa (Arsal and Baalbak), the Center and West Beqaa and from Rashaya. The course covered the following topics: the art of leadership, conflict resolution, sustainable human development, with focus on the environmental part, advocacy, networking and mobilization. (Al Mustaqbal, July 30 and 31, 2017)