Al Mustakbal newspaper published a report on the “Live Lebanon”, a UN initiative which is implemented by UNDP in partnership with Bank of Beirut and the Arab Countries (BBAC) and within the framework of social and local development for a better Lebanon. The report notes that this current initiative uses goodwill ambassadors who are Lebanese immigrants who promote Live Lebanon projects amongst Lebanese communities throughout the world. Live Lebanon also uses the support of the private sector and the media and has concluded last March a cooperation agreement with New TV.
The report indicates that the Live Lebanon initiative seeks to develop the poorest and most deprived regions through implementing long term projects in various sectors namely a) health (providing primary health care to all regardless of their income or place of residence through the support and equipping of primary health care centres in remote areas and which provide their services at nominal fees); b) youth (through the implementation of projects that support the youth at the academic, sports and social levels and so as to improve their social integration, their knowledge and skills); c) environment (through the provision of healthier life via environmental projects); and d) women’s empowerment (through the implementation of projects targeting women and aiming to improve their income and as such, improve the livelihoods of the entire community). The latter sector is implemented given the importance of creating new work opportunities for both women and men and commitment to the principle of equal opportunities of women and men. Accordingly, the program aims to create work opportunities through supporting small income generating projects especially in agriculture and rural tourism.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 31 July 2013