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The Lebanese University hosts the first discussion sessions on National Youth Strategy 2026-2030
The Lebanese University hosted the first session of the youth consultative meetings "Towards a National Youth Strategy 2026-2030", launched by the Ministry of Youth & Sports in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA.
The launch ceremony was held at Rafik Hariri University Campus – Hadath, in the presence of Minister of Youth & Sports Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian, Minister of Education & Higher Education Dr. Rima Karami, Minister of Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Dr. Kamal Shehadeh, President of the Lebanese University Dr. Bassam Badran, UNICEF representative Mr. Marcoluigi Corsi, and UNFPA representative in Lebanon Ms. Anandita Philipose, in addition to a number of presidents of private universities, deans, and directors from the Lebanese University and private universities, and a large group of youth.
President Badran delivered a speech in which he referred to the potential of Lebanon's youth and the serious challenges they face, such as unemployment, lack of job opportunities, emigration, and the need for an economic environment that opens the doors to creativity and innovation.
President Badran pointed out that the Ministry of Youth & Sports is called upon to be the incubator that translates the energies of youth into national projects, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence is called upon to keep pace with the aspirations of the new generation in digital innovation and put Lebanon on the global technology map. The Ministry of Education & Higher Education is called upon to develop curricula and universities in line with global changes and provide young people with the tools they need.
Ms. Philippos spoke, affirming the UNFPA's commitment to ensuring that youth have a seat at the decision-making table, promoting gender equality, protecting girls, and empowering them to shape their own futures. She noted that these issues have a pressing impact on Lebanese youth today, pointing out the importance and necessity of listening to the views of Lebanese youth on the challenges they face and the desired solutions.
Mr. Corsi pointed out that UNICEF supports the rights of children and youth in Lebanon and around the world, praising the role of the Ministries of Youth & Sports, Education and Higher Education, Artificial Intelligence, and other relevant bodies in working towards a better future for young people in decision-making and strategy development. He called on youth to actively and effectively participate in consultative meetings and to put forward their ideas and suggestions for shaping their future and that of Lebanon.
Minister Bayrakdarian emphasized that openness to youth and their involvement in all youth policies is a priority for her ministry, which is the basis for convening this consultation session. She pointed out that the national youth strategy will be based on international, regional, European, and Arab youth documents, and will draw on various experiences to transfer them to the Lebanese context and develop them in accordance with the requirements of this context and the visions of its key partners.
Minister Shehadeh spoke about the rapid pace of digital transformation and the significant challenges in the world of technology and AI-based learning, as well as the challenge of the knowledge gap and its impact on job opportunities. He emphasized that his ministry is focused on developing talent in collaboration with technology and training companies, in addition to improving public services through the use of artificial intelligence.
Minister Karami pointed out that Lebanon is currently seeking recovery and rebuilding trust in the state and its institutions, and that this cannot be achieved without the generation that will run the country in the coming years.
In conclusion, international expert Dr. Suhail Marine explained the draft National Youth Strategy for Lebanon 2026-2030.
