On Tuesday the 13th of June 2017 a workshop took place at the Lebanese Parliament in Beirut under the title “Refugees in Lebanon: Public Policies and Future Visions”.
The general aim of the workshop was to discuss the refugee crisis and its implications for Lebanon in terms of the economy, health care and education and thus draw lessons and recommendations from these experiences.
The workshop was organised by the Lebanese Foundation for Permanent Civil peace, and in collaboration with the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, and the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut.
The workshop took place under the patronage of Speaker Nabih Berri.
The workshop included four sessions; the first session was the opening session where a number of speakers had opening words who are; Dr. Antoine Massara, President of the Lebanese Foundation for Permanent Civil Peace, Dr. Nasser Yassin, Director of Research at Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, American University of Beirut, H.E. Mouin Al-Merhebi, State Minister of Displaced Affairs, H.E. Dr. Michel Moussa, representing H.E. Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Parliament
The second session was about: Impact of Refugees on the Lebanese Economy. And a number of speakers had contributions at this session who are; H.E. Mr. Raed Khoury, Minister of Economy represented by Mrs. Nadine Nehme, H.E. Mr. Pierre Abou Assi, Minister of Social Affairs represented by Mr. Mario Abou Zeid, Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Ms. Mireille Girard, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon, Mr. Tarek Osseiran, Country Program Manager, UN Habitat.
The third session was about: Future Plans to address the Status of Refugees in terms of Health and Education. And also a number of speakers had participated at this session who are; H.E. Dr. Ghassan Hasbani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health represented by the General Director of the Ministry Dr. Walid Ammar, H.E. Mr. Marwan Hamadeh, Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Alexis Loeber, Head of Cooperation Section of the EU Delegation to Lebanon, Ms. Katya Marino, Chief of Education, UNICEF.
The Fourth and last session was allocated for synthesis and recommendation where Dr. Antoine Massara, President of the Lebanese Foundation for Permanent Civil Peace, and Dr. Nasser Yassin, Director of Research of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, American University of Beirut contributed to this last session.