Adyan Foundation recently held a two-day event on May 10-11, 2024 at Radisson Blu-Beirut to share the results of an impact assessment for its long-running Alwan program. The event was attended by a distinguished group of participants, including Father Yousef Nasr, Secretary-General of Catholic Schools, Ms. Sonya Al Khoury, Representative of the Minister of Education, and Professor Antoine Habchi, Member of Parliament, along with religious figures, educators, school administrators, and current and former Alwan program participants.
The event featured engaging discussions and workshops led by education specialists from Lebanon and abroad. Participants delved into effective civic education initiatives and strategies for cultivating inclusive citizenship. They also openly shared the challenges they encountered during program implementation and the valuable lessons learned.
“While acknowledging gaps, negative outcomes, and discovered errors can be difficult, Alwan program provided a valuable learning experience for us,” said Alexander Adam, Executive Director of Adyan Foundation. “It allowed us to develop our skills and gain crucial insights.”
Mayssam Imad, Head of the Education Unit at Adyan’s Institute of Citizenship and Diversity Management, emphasized the event’s role in fostering collaboration. “The workshop aimed to provide a platform for students, educators, administrators, professors, and NGO representatives to share their challenges, lessons learned, and techniques for promoting inclusive citizenship,” she explained.
Professor Habchi praised Alwan’s focus on understanding diverse perspectives, stating, “One of the most important things Alwan does is bridge divides by encouraging people to learn about each other, overcome fear, and work together.”
The Ceremony served as an opportunity to reflect on the program’s effectiveness and chart a new course. The goal is to adapt Alwan to the evolving needs of Lebanese society and potentially expand it to Iraq and France, with modifications for each country’s context.
Launched in 2007, Alwan is a dynamic program implemented by Adyan Foundation for elementary and high school students, delivered through the school clubs with a two-year membership. The program equips participants with tools for managing diversity effectively, fostering collaboration among peers from different backgrounds, and engaging in positive volunteer initiatives, aiming to empower its graduates to become active and responsible citizens within Lebanese society.
