Beirut, June 19, 2019 – For its third consecutive year, The Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF) organized its annual fundraising dinner “تيبقى اللبناني بارضه” at “The Parks” Biel – Furn el Chebbak set in a beautiful authentic Lebanese night, bringing together the best genuine rustic cuisine from all over Lebanon, as well as a showcasing of skills and talents from all Lebanese regions with a special performance by Lebanese artist Georges Nehmeh. All funds raised aim to support many of the Foundation’s projects and developmental activities in Lebanon, especially those related to education and human development, economic development, agriculture and rural development, health and social care, and local decentralization.

The dinner was attended by political and diplomatic figures, representatives and entrepreneurs from the private sector, judges, mayors, business men and women, as well as a number of press, media and social figures.

In his speech, RMF Executive Director, MP Michel Moawad, emphasized on the story of the Foundation; a story of faith and belief that transformed the martyrdom of President René Moawad into an institution to spread his vision throughout the country regardless of the obstacles. For almost three decades, RMF travelled far and wide, broke all political, confessional and geographical barriers to reach all the regions of Lebanon and every Lebanese.

“From Rmeish to Akkar, from Beirut to Arsal, more than 365,000 people benefited from our projects in 2018. We implemented projects that change the lives of thousands of Lebanese every day, and this is all thanks to our partners and supporters, international institutions, the Lebanese private sector, the local authorities, the media, and of course the great efforts of the Rene Moawad Foundation’s staff; 220 young men and women who believe in our cause and carry our message.”

Moawad adds: “I would like to sincerely thank the foundation’s President, Nayla Moawad, who believed in this country and was committed to look for opportunities to give back and make a positive impact on the Lebanese Human Being”.

During the evening, the Lebanese Red Cross, which represents an exemplary of humanitarian and collective work, was honored. Attorney Marielle Michel Moawad, and RMF General Director Nabil Moawad, presented the RMF recognition award to the President of the Red Cross, Dr. Antoine Zoghbi.

The Foundation also awarded a “Lifetime Achievement Award”, created and crafted by the artist Roudy Rahme, to the member of the Maronite Foundation, Ms. Rose Choueiri. The award was presented by Ms. Nayla Moawad, and the Deputy Director General of SGBL and Group Financial Director, Mr. Georges Saghbini.

The event, which was presented by the TV presenter Annabella Hilal, featured several documentaries on the projects and achievements carried out by the René Moawad Foundation.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the René Moawad Foundation organized a panel entitled “Pioneer Women from Lebanon”, which focused on the role of women empowerment in Lebanese society. The panelists were Karma Ekmekji, advisor to Prime Minister Saad Hariri for International Affairs and Relations, Rola Hoteit, the first ever female pilot in Lebanon, and the journalist Jana al-Dhaibi. The panel, that was held at the Pierre Farshakh theatre in the municipal building in Zgharta, North Lebanon, was moderated by Dr. Josette Moawad, in the presence of the General Manager of Rene Moawad Foundation, Nabil Moawad, the Qaemaqam of Zgharta, Mrs. Iman Al-Rafi’i, among others.

The ceremony started with a speech by the founder of RMF, former minister and MP, Nayla Moawad, which was given on her behalf by Dr. Hasna Moawad Tanios: “This year, we celebrate the International Women’s Day with a greater excitement as it coincides with the appointment of four women ministers in the current government. In the past parliamentary elections, there were 111 female candidates, while only 6 women had run for the elections in 1992. This is undoubtedly a significant achievement towards the active participation of women in the political life and in life in general, but we still have a long way to go and this requires great effort.

Women empowerment has always been at the heart of RMF’s projects, regardless of the sector they’re being implemented in: whether in agriculture, industry, local decentralization or in other fields. I believe that women now have enough confidence and strength to run the parliamentary elections. Women in all fields are becoming achievers at all levels. Today, I encourage women to make changes, no matter how simple, whether at home with their families, in their communities, at work, wherever they are. Every woman is an inspiration for other women in her surroundings, a living example that dreaming is possible, that there is hope, and that every day is women’s day, not just the 8th of March”.

Christian Saba, an economic development expert at the René Moawad Foundation and a women’s rights activist, gave a talk about her experience working in this field between Australia, where she was born and raised, and Lebanon, her country, which she decided to return to hoping to make a change.

During her intervention, Karma Ekmekji focused on the role of women in making a change, and on the role of men in supporting women as their partners. According to Ekmekji, women are mistaken if they think they are capable of making a change without men’s support.

Captain Rola Hoteit considered that breaking the barriers by being a woman pilot would not have been fully realized if she had not shared this experience with other women, who now became pilot themselves. “During my first solo trip, I felt a certain dread, but as soon as I landed, I felt that the experience I had gained over the past years had replaced the feeling of dread”, said Mrs Hoteit.

Jana Dhaibi chose to speak about her career in journalism and the role of the media in dealing with issues related to women’s rights, and dealing with women survivors of violence or victims. She also spoke about her personal experience as a single mother of a seven-year-old girl, and as a woman who got married at the age of 17, at an early age.

At the end, each of the three women received a token shield from the General Manager of RMF, Nabil Moawad and the Qaimqam of Zgharta, Iman Al-Rafi’i. The event was followed by a cocktail party.