In the presence of MP Bahia Hariri, the UNESCO Office in Beirut, in cooperation with the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development (HFSHD) and Beirut Arab University (BAU), launched a workshop entitled MOST School on “Youth Civic Engagement and Public Policies for Urban Governance through Cultural Heritage.” The workshop is part of the “Enhancing Research Linkage for a State of Knowledge in Lebanon” project as MOST aims at exchanging experiences among those interested in policy research, especially the young, in order to develop a comprehensive urban policy.
During the opening session, Head of the Parliamentary Education Committee and Head of the Hariri Foundation MP Bahia Hariri spoke of the role of Hariri Foundation, which embodies the experience of late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and his vision of supporting education. She also praised the role of Beirut Arab University in promoting justice in the higher education sector in Lebanon and thanked UNESCO, which attaches great importance to linking scientific research to policy development.
In his speech, Director of the UNESCO Beirut Office Dr. Hamad Bin Saif Al-Hammami maintained, "Cultural heritage education is a tool for promoting intercultural dialogue and social cohesion, and therefore the participation of the young in cultural heritage is essential to provide them with the tools of knowledge, skills and shared values and to promote peace through engaging the young in urban cultural heritage policies and strategies and supporting tangible youth-led measures.”
UNESCO has established a youth strategy (2014-2021) and clarified support on three issues: formulating youth policies, developing the capacities of youth organizations, and supporting youth civic engagement. Speaking of the significance of the workshop theme, "There are a lot of concerns about city life in light of its growth, spatial expansion, increasing services, complex lifestyles, local government development and future strategic policies. The city has become a centre of knowledge production in various interrelated disciplines. Therefore, understanding urban space at the research level has become interdisciplinary,” Al-Hamami continued, “this multidisciplinary approach to the city has become evident in the 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations as a plan of action for social justice and human well-being. UNESCO's support to the city stakeholders concerning inclusive urban development is more important than ever. Fifteen years after the launch of the International Alliance for Inclusive and Sustainable Cities (ICCAR) in 2004, there are now 23 Arab cities from seven active member states that contribute to mutual support, knowledge sharing and capacity development to combat discrimination and fear of outsiders and foreigners.”
BAU President Professor Amr Galal El-Adawi stressed BAU’s interest in heritage and its preservation. He also highlighted the importance of disseminating this culture at the youth level and contributing to enhancing communication and dialogue opportunities among the students, academic staff and all those interested in developing policies to preserve cultural heritage in Lebanon with their counterparts at the regional and global levels.
Dean of the Faculty of Architecture- Design and Built Environment Professor Ibtihal Bastawissi spoke about the role of architects in the process of preserving cultural heritage, stressing that this role has been adopted by the Faculty of Architecture - Design and Built Environment at Beirut Arab University since its establishment in 1962 through its support for heritage conservation projects and the adoption of many other projects and private research in the areas of restoration, rehabilitation and reuse. The faculty has always been keen to teach its students how to devise architectural solutions that harmonize with these buildings and are compatible with our current era. she also emphasized the importance of this workshop, as "it helps develop the ability of researchers and decision-makers to link academic scientific research with its practical translation.”
Prof. Bastawissi continued, “Beirut Arab University has always sought to actively participate in this workshop, as it comes in line with its belief in the importance of making practical use of scientific research to serve the local community and support sustainable development at the national level. BAU believes in the role of the youth in development and the importance of engaging them in the development of plans and policies, which helps benefit from their innovation and creativity, in addition to adding up to the practical experience of the university youth and increasing the efficiency of graduates to meet the challenges of the labour market. The participation of the young in the development of plans and policies also develops their sense of responsibility and concern for the success of their implementation.”
The three-day workshop was held between Beirut and Saida , including a field visit to the ancient city of Sidon. During this workshop, a series of research methodologies and good practices were reviewed in order to highlight the positive role of the youth in promoting social integration in the process of preserving cultural heritage in Lebanon.
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