As the partnership between the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST) with UNICEF steps into its fourth year of implementing the Youth skills development and support program, a senior delegation represented by UNICEF’s Lebanon Deputy Representative Luciano Calestini, along with Poste Italiane Chairwoman, Luisa Todini, and staff members from Italian Natcom paid a visit to the Howsh Rafiqa settlement (53419-01-007), which is considered to be one of the largest Syrian refugee informal settlements (IS) in Baalbeck-Hermel.
The tour took place on the 4th of January, 2017 to check up on the circumstances and living standards of the Syrian refugees. It also served the purpose of reviewing the progress of the “Life and Skills Program for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Youth.”
LOST Bedneyel branch was amongst the first stops for the delegation, where visitors were able to meet with the field staff and get a peek at their experiences and feedback. The stop ended with a presentation about the Life and Skills program, after the visitors had inquired further into the 2017 implementation plan, and the introduction of the twelve core skills UNICEF has adopted for the MENA region into LOST’s planning and training material. After attending the presentation, the delegation headed to Howsh Rafiqa settlement (53419-01-007), where they participated in a focus group consisting of twenty Lebanese and Syrian youth beneficiaries enrolled in the Peace Education and Youth-led Initiatives training of the Life and Skills Program for 2016. Upon concluding an interactive discussion with youth, the delegation took a further step and sat down with one of the Syrian refugee families in the IS to further engage in the daily issues they face.
At the end of the visit, Mr. Calestini emphasized the important role the partnership between UNICEF and LOST is playing in the Life and Skills Program. He pointed out that disseminating the culture of peace between the Lebanese community and Syrian refugees helps reduce extremism. Observing the atmosphere of social cohesion created by the program, Mr. Calestini ensured that the work plan LOST and UNICEF have adopted will be circulated among all UNICEF’s partners in Lebanon.
