Lebanon - The Next Big Thing (NBT) Foundation officially launched its national youth initiative, ParliYouth, with an opening session held at the Lebanese Parliament on Friday.
The event was attended by representatives of the Hariri Foundation and included speeches, discussions, and presentations highlighting the program’s objectives.
ParliYouth is a pioneering program designed to empower Lebanese university students to actively participate in public life by immersing them in a practical experience that simulates real parliamentary work.
Students are trained in policy analysis, research, democratic dialogue, and legislative drafting, fostering a generation of youth equipped with civic awareness, accountability, and responsible political engagement.
The program targets students from Lebanon’s leading universities, including the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut Arab University (BAU), University of Balamand (UOB), Saint Joseph University (USJ), and Notre Dame University (NDU).
ParliYouth participants follow a structured pathway, starting with training and orientation sessions in January 2026, including interactive workshops held at the Lebanese Parliament.
Students then receive guidance from mentors, academics, and policy experts using the ParliYouth Textbook, a specialized training guide.
The program culminates in a Pitch Day, where student teams present their legislative proposals to a panel of academics, policy experts, and government representatives.
A final awards ceremony recognizes outstanding contributions and reinforces the link between youth initiatives and real parliamentary processes.
Program Objectives
Empower Lebanese youth to understand parliamentary procedures and public decision-making.
Promote active civic engagement and responsible citizenship.
Build skills in policy analysis, research, and legislative drafting.
Strengthen connections between universities and official institutions through practical experience.
Through ParliYouth, Lebanese students gain hands-on experience in public policy and parliamentary work, reinforcing democratic values and preparing the next generation of leaders.
