The Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training has concluded “The Academy of Women”, a project funded by the embassy of Netherlands, with a festivity celebrating the success of its program at Tammouz Hall- Baalbeck on June 06, 2012 in the presence of the Head of Baalbeck Municipality Mr. Hamad Hasan, the touristic development manager in the Ministry of Tourism Mrs. Mona fares, Dr. Ramy Lakkis the director and founder of LOST, in addition to several political and social figures and the program participants.
After the Lebanese Anthem, Mr. Khaled El Tashem from LOST welcomed the audience indicating LOST’s major aims and objectives behind the implementation of various projects.
Following Mr. Tashem’s welcoming note, Dr. Ramy Lakkis delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the Academy of Women aims at raising the political awareness of women through a series of workshops on advocacy and civic participation in addition to free computer and social media courses in order to empower them and activate their political role in their local communities. Dr. Lakkis pointed out on the main objective of LOST, active participation of all citizens in the public decisions in an attempt to improve the level of services in our communities and enhancing the culture of democracy. “Several projects related to Lebanese Women, housewives, businesswomen and mothers will be implemented by LOST to achieve the social justice.
In his turn, Mr. Hamad Hasan, the Head of Baalbeck municipality stressed on the vital role played by LOST in all fields to raise the level of human development and added that the work of NGOs complements the work of the municipalities. Mr. Hasan said: “we will try to enhance and strengthen cooperation with all NGOs in Baalbeck to serve our city and our community”.
In her note, Mrs. Mona Fares insisted on the importance of empowering the various segments of the society by providing the scientific and technological knowledge to be able to face all surrounding dangers and challenge. Mrs. Fares announced that she is working on consolidating the cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism, municipalities, and NGOs for the benefit of the communities.
During the celebration, the students of the Lebanese Association of Students (LAS) presented an environmental play to encourage the use of alternative energy and waste recycling.
The event ended by distributing certificates of completion on the Academy of Women participants and official certificates to more than 50 graduates from the Electronics and Commerce Center (ECC), a vocational center run by LOST.
