The conference on “Human Security and Freedom from Fear and Want” calls for the protection of children and for securing an environment conducive for their development

Following the national conference on “Human Security, Freedom from Fear and Want” which was organized by the Lebanese Women’s Council in 24 and 25 February 2014, and which was covered by WEEPortal on 25/2/2014, the Council organized yesterday a workshop to draw mechanisms for implementing the recommendations of the Conference.  The event was held at the UNESCO palace under the auspices of former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, represented by his wife, May Mikati.  The sessions discussed the concepts of human security and the obstacles facing freedom from fear and want.  Five sessions were organized and covered the topics of: the role of the media in influencing fear in public opinion, the future of the food basket, development and civil peace, opportunities for interventions within a situation of poverty and demobilization, public education, and women’s rights in conflict situations.

Once again, the recommendation of the workshop focused on “demanding that the media exercise self censorship through refraining from disseminating material calling for hate and work towards building a public opinion that is immune to the fear tactics of politicians and which can only lead to civil strife”.  New recommendations focused on promoting the use of social media to serve civil peace especially in relation to furthering awareness on who the real enemy is and what are the real risks and dangers.  The recommendations also included a call on relevant Ministries to ensure a safe environment that is conducive for child development and education away from fear and in collaboration with the family and with educational institutions and also strengthening civic education and finding mechanisms for protecting children from violence and from all forms of aggression.  In addition the workshop called for developing human resources with expertise in education and psychology to help resolve children’s psychological and educational problems at school in addition to a permanent coordination with schools and parents in order to strengthen good habits and rightful values.
Source: NNA, Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 16 April 2014

For more information about the national conference, please refer to the previously published news on the WEEPortal;
Conference of the Lebanese Council for Women entitled: “Human security: freedom from fear and need”, on 25/2/2014
The Lebanese Women’s Council’s Conference on “Human Security: Freedom from Fear and Need” concludes with many recommendations, on 11/3/2014