U.S. Support Empowers Interaction between Lebanese and Palestinian Communities

January 31, 2010

On January 31, 2010 the people of Bebnine, Mohammara, Aabde, and Minieh, four communities located around the Naher El Bared Camp, celebrated the closing ceremony of the “Improving Opportunities for Youth” project that provided training and assistance to Lebanese and Palestinian youth and benefited their communities. The ceremony recognized ninety Lebanese and Palestinian youth who designed and implemented two community development activities promoting Palestinian-Lebanese interaction, understanding and cooperation.

In coordination with the municipality of Bebnine, youth conducted puppet theater performances and constructed a fence around Bebnine’s football field currently being rehabilitated by the municipality. These activities were implemented by the ninety youth who received training on professional and managerial skills; citizenship and activism; conflict mitigation and communication skills; youth’s role in the municipality and community; and project design and implementation. With a $63,000 grant from the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID’s OTI), the Welfare Women’s Association (WWA) implemented the project and rehabilitated and equipped its cultural center in Bebnine.

This project is part of USAID OTI’s program to promote youth civic activism and mitigate tensions in conflict-prone areas. Speaking at the event, the USAID/Lebanon Mission Director, Denise A. Herbol, emphasized the importance of skills training on providing alternatives to youth in highly vulnerable areas, and applauded the coordination between municipalities and communities for stimulating economic development opportunities and countering the lure of extremists.