Written by Nadine Abi Zeid Daou
The year 2021 was no better than 2020 for Lebanon. The country has been grappling with an economic and financial meltdown, the severe repercussions of the Beirut Port explosions, the continued effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and the spillover effects of the ongoing Syrian crisis. The situation of all populations in Lebanon is worsening by the day, poverty rates are dramatically increasing, and the hardships of ordinary people have been insurmountable.
Amid these unprecedented challenges, the UN system in Lebanon chose to celebrate this year’s UN Day with a ‘One UN’ message of solidarity to the people of Lebanon, while availing youth of the opportunity to directly interact with UN Staff on issues of major concern and interest to them.
“I am very proud to be part of the UN family, and to be able to support the Lebanese people and stand by their side, especially those affected by the crises,” said one of the UN staff members featured in the UN Staff Voices’ video specially created for this occasion.
The video features UN staff members from different age groups, professional backgrounds and UN agencies, sharing a message of hope for the people of Lebanon and expressing what it means for them to be part of the UN family during these difficult and turbulent times. “When the United Nations was established 76 years ago, the wellbeing of people was at the heart of its vision for the future. Now more than ever, the UN is committed to leaving no one behind,” said UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, in the video.
“Happy UN Day to the people of Lebanon and the world we serve. The UN Charter is about YOU and for YOU and our values of peace, development and human rights that we stand for are our raison-d’être,” tweeted UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Najat Rochdi, on this occasion. “Today, we celebrate UN Day in a country that played an exemplary role in bringing the UN to life,” she added, reiterating the UN’s commitment to step up the pace of Lebanon’s sustainable recovery.
To mark the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945 when Lebanon was a founding member, a live Q&A session was also held on UN Lebanon official Instagram page titled “Ask UN Lebanon”. The session was an interactive ‘live’ discussion between two young UN staff members, Ms. Hala Al Feghali from UNIC Beirut and Nadine Khaouli from UNDP Lebanon, and the youth of Lebanon at large.
© UNIC Beirut
A flurry of pertinent questions was addressed by young people on a myriad of topics that are particularly relevant to Lebanon, including environment, peace and development, job opportunities, humanitarian assistance and community service. “Will the Lebanese ever unite and live without religious discrimination?” read one of the participants’ questions during the Q&A session. “Lebanon has always stood out in the region as being a haven of tolerance and religious coexistence and freedom of expression… and the latest crisis must not overshadow this,” answered Ms. Khaouli, highlighting the significant role that youth and educational institutions can play in maintaining Lebanon’s diversity and coexistence.
The session helped foster the understanding of the public at large about the UN in an informative but engaging way. It was also an opportunity to highlight the various UN programmes and opportunities offered to youth in Lebanon, including internship, volunteering and job opportunities. “Thank you so much for this valuable information,” read one comment from the live session. “I will certainly apply to one of these programmes, with the hope that my application will be accepted”, the comment added.
