Outreach programs
One of the main aims of the Outreach and Civic Engagement Unit is to bridge the gap between LAU and the communities around it. It encourages and empowers students to reach out and become agents of constructive change in their society.
If you have any ideas for outreach activities that you would like to see implemented, please contact sarah.bouajram@lau.edu.lb
One Day on Earth Campaign
On October 10, 2010, a group of 10 LAU students filmed their efforts as part of their cleaning the earth environmental awareness campaign in El-Koura, North Lebanon. They collected waste scattered throughout a small forest in the village of Deddeh.
The campaign is part of “One Day on Earth.” It’s a global media project supported by the United Nations and several non-profit organizations, in which thousands of students, documentary filmmakers, and inspired citizens from over 190 countries across the world participated, documenting their experiences.
Organized by the OCE, the campaign was designed to draw attention to the issues of climate change and global warming, and the community was encouraged to take action. LAU students from both campuses as well as some members of the MUN program took part in the event.
Students encouraged their peers to actively engage in communities and help confront pressing environmental issues, and they were part of a broader on-campus effort to promote a culture of activism among Lebanese youth.
White Ribbon Campaign
OCE partnered with the Institute for Women Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW) at LAU, the Beirut’s Dean’s Office and KAFA in a three-day event and campaign effort to stop violence against women, from December 8-10, 2010.
For the event, stands a big tent were set up, and a human chain was created symbolizing the student’s voice in promoting the end of violence against women. The campaign received extensive media coverage. Posters were distributed everywhere and a student on a bicycle walked through campus giving out flyers and promotional items.
Students were educated on the issue and created the human chain. LAU gathered approximately 250 signatures for a petition seeking a law that protects women against violence, which will be sent to parliament.
A film was made about the three-day campaign and focused on LAU student effort, showing that the message to end violence against women was sent from the students, and to the students. The final day of the event, December 10, was marked by the closing ceremony that took place in UNESCO Palace. A representative from the OCE gave a speech presenting the campaign’s achievements and LAU’s commitment, which was followed by the screening of the movie. On December 13, on OCE representative and an LAU student went to OTV on a morning interview, to highlight LAU’s activities in ending violence against women.
UNiTE Campaign
The “UNiTE, to End Violence against Women” Campaign was the culmination of a partnership between the OCE and the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) in Beirut.
This two-day event encompassed a press conference on December 10 and the distribution of flyers to raise public awareness, at two major shopping malls, on December 11, 2010.
At the press conference Dr. Jabbra and the UNIC Director, Mr. Bahaa Elkoussy, presented their determination and commitment to the campaign. The event received broad media coverage and was widely attended by students who were keen on learning about the issue.
MEPI students took the lead in volunteering in two major malls, City Mall in Dora and a mall in Beirut’s J’neh area. City Mall volunteers were met by OCE member who photographed the activity. The latter were sent to UNIC who broadcasted the event and photos to the UN in New York and other channels.
UN Days Celebrations
In partnership with the United Nations Information Center, this year the LAU Outreach and Civic Engagement division will hold celebrations for two UN Days: Ending Violence against Women, December 10, 2010 and World Environment day, June 5, 2011.
To find out more about the LAU UN Day Celebration, please contact: esamia@lau.edu.lb
Future Programs
The Power of Service
The OCE is planning to work with the Red Cross and give a workshop entitled “The Power of Service” which will address the power of branding.
Fundraising Campaigns
This year, the LAU Outreach and Civic Engagement division is planning a major fundraising event to improve the situation of prisons in Lebanon.
As part of this, the OCE is collaborating with Lebanese filmmaker Zeina Daccache, and bringing her renowned documentary “12 Angry Men” — about the Lebanese prison system — for an on-campus screenings. The documentary will be facilitated by Zeina Daccache and fundraising for the prisons will take place.
The tentative date for this event is during the week of February 20, 2011, in order to coincide with the World Day of Social Justice.
To learn more about this or any other fundraising campaign at LAU, please contact: sarah.bouajram@lau.edu.lb
Computer Mates
The OCE is also working with senior computer science students in coordination with the Department of Computer Science and Mathematics in both Byblos and Beirut to implement the “Computer Mates” program — a two-day training equivalent to 1 credit hour where senior computer science students will give basic computer initiation courses (Word, Access, Excel, and Powerpoint) to underprivileged youth.