Youth in the Beqaa Claim Their Rights
Lebanese youth lead the way in celebrating Human Rights Day.
In the closed communities of the Beqaa, many suffer from poverty and social exclusion, and young people in particular can feel disconnected and deprived of their basic rights. However, on December 10, International Human Rights Day, youth in four Beqaa villages grasped an opportunity to speak out for their rights and the rights of others.
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| Young people in the Beqaa sign a banner displaying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), with support from USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), organized events in El Ain, Hermel, Beit Shama, and Baalbeck, and LOST's young associates eagerly embraced the opportunity to educate residents about Article 27 of the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which declares: "Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community."
Celebrations in the villages featured activities themed around the idea of human rights, including exhibitions of handicrafts and drawings as well as musical performances. LOST's youth advocates also staged a theatrical performance addressing the scope and application of human rights principles with members of the Lebanese Association for Students.
Young people were especially excited by the events, as it was the first time many had celebrated International Human Rights Day. Zahraa Al Sayrami, 17, said, "The exhibition provided me with a great insight into the rights that guarantee a better life for me and my peers. I now know that claiming these rights is my right."
More than 800 residents attended the events, including parents, students, academics, prominent community members, and local politicians. Many attendees stressed the importance of holding such celebrations to help spread human rights values and empower youth in making positive change in their communities.
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"It's a great feeling to know that you're helping others by teaching them what their rights are."
—Ali Jaafar, 17, LOST project participant
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The young organizers were energized by the success of the day's events. Ali Al Nahr, 17, said, "I felt overwhelmed by the crowd and excited to be one of the organizers of this big event."
LOST activities are designed to educate youth on peace, tolerance, and human rights and to help them develop their skills using modern technological tools in information technology and social media. And as this initiative showed, young people can be a united force for goodwill and bring about greater tolerance and respect—even in closed communities.
For further information, please contact:
Marialice Ariens, Program Manager, 202-712-4031, mariens@usaid.gov
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