LEBANON - The Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development, in partnership with the British Council and in collaboration with the National Unit for Preventing Violent Extremism, Youth of the Rise of Lebanon Forum and Enmaeya Development Portal, officially launched the Youth Connect: Inclusive Governance and Prevention of Violent Extremism project during an onboarding event held on 5 August 2026 at Beirut Digital District (BDD).
The event brought together Dr. Hanin El Sayed, Minister of Social Affairs; Mrs. Bahia Hariri, President of the Hariri Foundation; Mrs. Faten Abu Hassan, Director General of Local Administrations and Councils, representing the Minister of Interior and Municipalities; Mr. Daryl Crooks, Acting Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Security Policy and Programmes at the British Embassy, representing the British Ambassador; Ms. Nisrine Khoury, Head of Youth and Civil Society, representing the British Council; and Dr. Rubina Abu Zeinab, National Coordinator of the PVE Unit at Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Executive Director of the Hariri Foundation. It also welcomed stakeholders, faculty members, students and representatives from universities, and 150 young people from across Lebanon.
Ms. Bahia Hariri welcomed the stakeholders and youth and emphasized the vital role of state institutions in promoting social cohesion, recovery, and national resilience. She highlighted the importance of moving from traditional social assistance toward a development- and recovery-oriented approach, while underscoring that security extends beyond institutions to include trust between citizens and the state. She also praised the longstanding partnership with the British Council, stressing that dialogue, cultural understanding, and youth engagement are essential to preventing extremism and building a more stable and inclusive society.
In her keynote address, Dr. Hanin El Sayed stressed the importance of recognizing young people as active partners in shaping Lebanon’s future. She highlighted the Ministry’s shift from social assistance toward social development and referred to efforts that promote economic inclusion, volunteerism, and youth participation. She also encouraged young people to take an active role in decision-making and community development.
Mrs. Faten Abu Hassan highlighted the strong engagement of youth in the recent municipal and mayoral elections and the importance of involving them in local development planning. She said that access to information, freedom of expression, and equal opportunities are essential to empowering youth as active partners in development and decision-making. In this context, she emphasized the importance of the project in strengthening meaningful youth participation at both the local and national levels.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the British Ambassador, Mr. Daryl Crooks, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting inclusive governance, youth participation, and the prevention of violent extremism in Lebanon. His remarks emphasized the importance of empowering young people, strengthening inclusive communities, and fostering meaningful partnerships. He also commended the collaboration between the British Council and the Hariri Foundation in advancing these shared objectives.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Rubina Abu Zeinab highlighted the Hariri Foundation’s longstanding commitment to investing in young people as a cornerstone of sustainable development. She described Youth Connect as a practical step toward translating Lebanon’s national strategy for preventing violent extremism into local action by strengthening trust between citizens and institutions and supporting youth-led initiatives that foster more cohesive and resilient communities.
Ms. Nisrine Khoury stated that young people are drivers of positive change through dialogue, leadership, and active citizenship. She presented Youth Connect as a platform for strengthening inclusive governance, fostering community resilience, and equipping participants to design initiatives that respond to local needs. She also highlighted the project’s contribution to preventing violent extremism by promoting trust, belonging, and meaningful civic engagement.
A panel discussion, moderated by PVE expert Mrs. Norma Wakim and featuring Mr. Ramy Jabbour, Peacebuilding Project Manager at UNDP; Ms. Rasha Shukr, Deputy Director of Non-Formal Education, MENA, at the British Council; and Dr. Rubina Abu Zeinab, introduced the project’s objectives and explored inclusive governance, youth leadership, and the prevention of violent extremism. The interactive session encouraged dialogue between speakers and participants, giving young people the opportunity to engage directly with experts and decision-makers.
The second part of the event focused on introducing participants to the project. The session was led by Mr. Amir Hijazi, Youth Connect Project Manager, and Ms. Saden Al Achkar, Project Assistant at the Hariri Foundation, who presented the project’s timeline, phases, key milestones, participation requirements, expected commitments, the PVE strategy, and immediate next steps. The onboarding continued with an interactive youth engagement activity that created a dynamic space for participants to exchange ideas, build relationships, and develop a shared understanding of the project’s values and objectives through collaborative discussions and guided exercises.
Looking ahead, the project will continue with the bootcamp, research, dialogue, and collective action project design and implementation.
