LEBANON - Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture and the United Nations in Lebanon organized a week-long career shadowing initiative for university students from October 26 to 30, giving around 40 young people the opportunity to learn firsthand about the work of UN agencies in Lebanon.
The initiative, held to mark United Nations Day, brought together students from different Lebanese universities, academic disciplines and backgrounds. Participants spent a day alongside a UN entity of their choice, observing its daily operations and engaging in discussions with UN officials and staff.
Exploring the UN’s Work in Lebanon
Through direct exposure to the work of UN agencies, students gained insight into the organization's efforts in Lebanon, including peacebuilding, recovery, development, humanitarian assistance and human rights.
According to a statement, the initiative also provided a platform for dialogue between young people and UN representatives, allowing students to share their views, concerns and expectations for Lebanon’s future.
Discussions covered a range of issues, including political participation, conflict resolution, human rights, economic recovery, public health, workers’ rights, women's empowerment and gender equality.
Culture Minister Ghassan Salame said the initiative aimed to give Lebanese university students direct access to the United Nations and a better understanding of its role in Lebanon and internationally.
He said this included the organization's support for development and public institutions, as well as its humanitarian interventions and political engagement.
Minister Salame added that it was important for young people to gain firsthand experience of the UN's work and the challenges it seeks to address in Lebanon.
11 UN Entities Take Part
Acting UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jean Arnault said the organization welcomed the opportunity to meet young people and hear their perspectives on the United Nations.
He said students from different backgrounds had expressed a commitment to international law and to reaffirming the principles underpinning the international system, describing their views as a source of inspiration and hope for Lebanon's future.
Arnault thanked the Ministry of Culture for launching the initiative and stressed the importance of creating more opportunities for young people to engage directly with international institutions. He also expressed hope that the initiative would become an annual event.
Eleven UN entities participated: the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, UNESCO, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), UN Women, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Marking United Nations Day
United Nations Day, observed annually on October 24, marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.
The organization said the occasion reaffirmed its commitment to involving young people as essential partners in building a future based on human rights, dignity, equality and peace.
