Smart Center celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of students from the “Point of View” program, which has been launched in several Lebanese universities since 2012. The ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel – Ain El Mreisseh, under the patronage and in the presence of Minister of Information Paul Morcos. The event was organized in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation and in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre in Beirut (UNIC Beirut), with the participation of MP George Okais, Cynthia Khoury Officer-in-Charge of UNIC Beirut, Michael Bauer (Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation office in Lebanon), Smart’s Executive Director Randa Yassir, as well as academics, representatives of civil society organizations, media professionals, and students.
Yassir opened the event by saying that “Point of View” is not just an initiative aimed at promoting a culture of dialogue and understanding. “It is not only a program that develops skills in dialogue, effective communication, critical thinking, analysis, and peaceful conflict resolution, Point of View is all of the above—and more importantly, it is a youth-driven dream. It is the dream of young men and women in Lebanon who aspire to build a nation where youth are actively engaged in public life and in determining the future of their country through active citizenship.”
In her statement, Khoury emphasized the role the UN plays in empowering youth as the driving force behind change and the voice of the future. “This voice should not only be heard, but it must be an essential part of decision-making. From this standpoint, the UN has dedicated efforts to empower young people through initiatives, development programs, and ongoing support to ensure their participation in public and political life.”
“We cannot talk about youth participation in decision-making without highlighting the importance of human rights in shaping public policy. Youth have the right to express their opinions, access education and employment, and live with dignity, free from marginalization and exclusion. Promoting these rights in public policy creates an environment that enables new generations to realize their potential and actively contribute to the development of their communities.”
She also emphasized the growing challenge facing public dialogue today: the spread of disinformation and fake news. “In the digital media, false information shapes public discussions and directs opinions inaccurately, eroding trust between individuals and institutions.”
For his part, Bauer noted that, “Today’s event is far more than a closing ceremony. It is a celebration of dialogue, civic engagement, and youth empowerment. It is a space where voices are not only heard, but given a platform to influence—to shape ideas, policies, and the future of society. We are fortunate to have with us leaders who consistently support youth engagement in public life.”
He addressed Minister Morcos, calling him “a consistent advocate for inclusive media and information policies,” and turned to MP Okais, saying, “Your presence here reaffirms our shared belief that young people should not be passive observers of political, social, or economic life. They must be active participants, contributing to the decisions that affect their lives and future.”
He concluded, “At the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, we strongly believe in fostering spaces for democratic exchange. Through ‘Point of View,’ we have sought to equip young minds with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to engage in policy discussions on campuses, in the media, and beyond.”
Minister Morcos said in his statement that true change starts with youth—and so does hope for building a new society. In Lebanon, which is emerging from conflict and rebuilding its institutions, youth form the cornerstone of this rebuilding process and the redefinition of national identity—on new foundations not based on sectarianism and divisions, but on belonging to one nation that includes everyone.
He added, “Hence the importance of building bridges of communication with these youth and giving them enough space to express their opinions and engage in dialogue to build a better future based on citizenship, a culture of dialogue, and national belonging. To empower them in decision-making, we must first enhance educational curricula that foster initiative, dialogue, and constructive criticism. Secondly, we must open the doors of political and economic institutions to them and highlight their initiatives in the media. The debates organized by Smart in cooperation with the UN Information Centre in Beirut are a living example of involving youth in decision-making and discussing youth policies in a democratic and sophisticated manner.”
He further proposed “creating youth advisory committees in parliament or legislative councils, which would operate through regular debate sessions with lawmakers.”
He also announced, “TeleLiban (Lebanon’s state-run TV station) is ready to host media students in programs that honor them and the screen.”
He concluded with a warm message to the participating students:“You have proven that you are worthy of being agents of change and leaders of the future.”
Panel Discussions
Participants engaged in two roundtable discussions titled “The Importance of Dialogue Platforms for Discussing Youth Policies through Debates,” exploring both the legislative and academic dimensions. The sessions were moderated by Yassir and featured Minister Morcos, MP George Okais, Dr. Mojtaba Mortada (Lebanese University), Dr. Jihad Mallah (American University of Beirut), and Dr. Leila Shamseddine (Lebanese University).
