US embassy implements program to turn Lebanon’s youth into active citizens for peace building

The US Embassy in Beirut declared that it has been cooperating with the Adyan Foundation to implement a program by the name of Alwan, a non-formal education plan in the form of youth clubs for high school students in 22 public and private high schools across Lebanon.

The program focuses on developing the role of the youths as active citizens for peace building in order to create a feeling of comprehensive national belonging and inclusive citizenship.

According to a statement issued by the US Embassy, this partnership, established in 2011, reflects the embassy’s commitment to reaching out and engaging with the people of Lebanon, and nurturing cross-confessional and cross-cultural dialogue.

For this matter, Public Affairs Officer Robin Holzhauer and Cultural Affairs Officer Lisa Petzold traveled on Tuesday April 29 to the Cadmous School in Tyre to meet with Alwan program participants from three different schools.

In this context, Holzhauer noted that “it is not always easy to embrace diversity, and spread the message of tolerance, peace, and coexistence, yet that is exactly what the Alwan program participants are doing.”

As part of the visit, students presented sketches, a song, and short speeches about the impact of the program on their lives, and how they try to implement the ideas of inclusion, tolerance, and acceptance into their daily lives.