The event which officially ended the 4-year ACCESS-MENA project, was held under the patronage of the Minister of Social Affairs, Mrs. Nayla Moawad.

The event raised the problematic of Child Labor in Lebanon. In her speech, Mrs. Moawad affirmed: “Education is one of the main components in the social safety net for working children and those at risk”.

H.E. Mrs Nayla Moawad

Mrs. Liesbeth Zonneveld Chief of Party, CHF International/ Lebanon & Yemen, emphasized on the fact that Exploitive child labor should be a significant development concern for all people in Lebanon and stated: “Child labor keeps tens of thousands of children out of school. These children are deprived of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity”.

On the agenda of the meeting was the problematic of child labor and the role of the government, civil society, teachers, municipalities and other involved parties in coming up with the adequate solutions. A documentary on child labor in Lebanon, directed by Carole Mansour was screened in order to put the audience in the frame of the main problem.

The ACCESS- MENA project achievements were introduced in a short movie. During four years the project conducted activities and actions in coordination with NGO’s, municipalities and government stakeholders. It was carried out in Beirut, in the South and in the North of Lebanon.

From the documentary shown during the event

The project targeted around 9,000 children which benefited from the direct education programs such as Literacy classes, Accelerated Vocational Training (AVT) or Training of teachers and around 15, 000 children that benefited from awareness and recreational activities.

A report of a study on child labor was conducted by the Health and Behavior Department within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB) was presented during the meeting. It describes the process of implementing the awareness and recreation component which is part of the ACCESS-MENA project and summarizes the techniques and methods used and the lessons learned from four years of concerted efforts in the area of combating child labor in Lebanon. It was presented with the intent of guiding the future work of NGOs in the area of child labor in Lebanon. The presentation of the AUB also included a mental health component.

At the end of the event, which was conducted by journalist Mr. Walid Abboud, recommendations were declared by the team of the project and of the RMF. The list included proposals such as introducing adequate programs in literacy classes for working children and adapting them to their needs, training of teachers for improving the quality of education and creating an adequate environment to reduce the percentage of working children.

The event organizers' table

A discussion was raised where leading personalities from specialized fields focused on the magnitude of problems of child Labor in Lebanon. The discussion shed light on current options, and on encouraging public authorities and all partners to introduce and use new adapted methods, alternatives, and policies. The discussion was followed by adjustments to the recommendations.

The national anthem

A general view

Mrs. Liesbeth Zonneveld

The audience

From the documentary shown during the event

An intervention during the discussion

An intervention during the discussion

Representatives from RMF and CHF cutting the cake!

At the buffet

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