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AUB announces launch of project titled “Setting an inclusive framework for human security and social justice within the IMF and GoL Restructuring and Reform Plan: Education an equalizer and enabler”

NNA - On Monday, June 13, 2022, the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship (AICSC) and the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Malala Fund organized a project launch event titled “Setting an inclusive framework for human security and social justice within the IMF and GoL Restructuring and Reform Plan: Education an equalizer and enabler”. The event was held at the Basile Meguerdiche Conference Hall at IFI, AUB.

 Amidst alarming increase in poverty levels and exacerbating inequalities in Lebanon, the current restructuring adjustment plan being negotiated between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Government of Lebanon (GoL) should not be falling on the already strained poor and middle class.

 Accordingly, this project targets the recovery and restructuring plan through an inclusive policy framework which was adopted by a broad coalition of actors. This is done through initiating a constructive nation-wide dialogue grounded in evidence to ensure a unified, multi-level action plan which called for a stronger social contract and an increased fiscal space for social justice. The action plan aims to incorporate the needs and priorities of all population in Lebanon; consider the gendered implications of austerity policies, particularly towards the most vulnerable groups such as women and girls; and to lay the foundation for a new social contract that centralizes inclusive and quality education as an equalizer and enabler and invests in public systems and social sectors.

 

In his opening remarks, Dr. Joseph Bahout, Director of IFI, commented, "we often say that we can always find opportunities in crises, but there is not much time left for saving Lebanon. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to focus on the education sector."

 

Ms. Rana El Houjeiri, Country Representative of Malala Fund in Lebanon, followed to say "We call to prioritize the education sector in any reform plan since it is at the heart of the equality and justice agenda. She added, "More than two million children, their future is put at stake in Lebanon. We demand planned budgets dedicated to support access to quality equitable education for marginalized groups, particularly girls within the recovery plan and all subsequent government plans and budgets."

 

This event held a series of keynote speakers. Dr. Fadia Kiwan, Director-General of the Arab Women Organization, said while commenting on the recovery plan between the International Monetary Fund and GoL: "The implementation of the plan is an investment that can increase productivity and lead to sustainable development."

 

His Excellency Minister of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon, Mr. Abbas Halabi, said “the concern over education in Lebanon comes as a result of the social and economic crises. These crises have urged us to adopt reform plans that can respond to the demands of the education sector.”

 

His Excellency Minister of Social Affairs in Lebanon, Dr. Hector Hajjar, representing H.E. Prime Minister Najib Mikati, stressed that "crises affect all marginalized and vulnerable groups, including women."

 

In the official message from Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Hajjar emphasized in his speech that "the crises have multiplied. The most urgent need today is to fight poverty and provide social, educational and health services."

 

During the event, an inclusive, interactive, and open discussion was held. The discussion was moderated by Sobhiya Najjar, journalist and included the following speakers: Rasha Abou Zaki, Economic Journalist & Senior Editor at New Arab newspaper (Al Araby Al Jadeed); Adnan El Amine, Co-founder of the Lebanese Association for Educational Studies-LAES and IFI Senior Fellow; Alia Moubayed, Emerging Markets Economist; Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director of the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND); and Ziyad Baroud, Former Minister of Interior and Municipalities and civil society activist.

 

The discussion covered:

1.      The first round of a constructive nation-wide dialogue grounded in evidence to reconcile human security with an inclusive policy framework that intertwines good governance and social governance in the broad-based restructuring plan and aims to integrate sustainable economic development with responsive social policies.

2.      The state of the education sector and its impacts on education quality, social mobility, inequality and girls and women’s rights.

3.      The concrete actions needed to address the above, and what process to follow to build a new social contract based on human security and social justice framework.
 

 

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تابعوا أخبار الوكالة الوطنية للاعلام عبر أثير إذاعة لبنان على الموجات 98.5 و98.1 و96.2 FM

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