Workshop for the School Network of Saida and Neighboring Towns
On 20 December 2019, the Lebanese National Commission and UNESCO Beirut Office concluded a series of 3 workshops addressed to educational institutions and the Ministry of Education on “Learning with IntangibleCultural Heritage for a Sustainable Future”.
The workshop, moderated by Dr. Annie Tabet, Member of UNESCO Global Network of Facilitators, was addressed to the School Network of Saida and Neighboring Towns, and aimed at introducing the 2003 ICH Convention and its key concepts, and the methodology adopted by 4 Lebanese schools in integrating ICH elements in school subjects and through extracurricular activities: Dr. Hikmat Sabbagh – Youmna Eid Public High School for Girls – Saida, Rafic Hariri High School – Saida, Jezzine Secondary School, Collège Notre Dame de Machmoucheh – Jezzine.
Speeches were given by the Head of the Parliamentary Commission for Education and Culture and President of the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development Ms. Bahia Hariri, by UNESCO Beirut’s Programme Specialist for Culture, Mr. Joe Kreidi, by the representative of the Lebanese National Commission and Member of its executive bureau Dr. Claudia Chamoun Abi Nader, by the National Coordinator of UNESCO ASPnet and Clubs Networks Ms. Christiane Jeitani, and the Coordinator of the School Network of Saida and Neighboring Towns Mr. Nabil Bawab.
Thanking UNESCO for its fruitful collaboration, Ms. Bahia Hariri praised the participants for being a beacon of light amidst the challenges and difficult circumstances, stressing that the human capital is the future of Lebanon, and that by acquiring new skills, they can strengthen the national sense of belonging of their students through nonformal and extracurricular activities.
Dr. Claudia Chamoun Abi Nader addressed the participating teachers by saying: “You are the prospect of hope, make use of this fruitful and human experience. From this moment, you have become the guards of the Temple of our intangible cultural heritage. Spread the skills you acquired in all Lebanese districts and governorates. Save our individuality so that we deserve the blessing of our Lebanese identity”.
Speaking of the importance of the workshop, Mr. Joe Kreidi, stated: “In order to keep ICH alive, it must remain an integral part of a culture and be practiced and taught regularly in communities and among generations. Moreover, the societies and groups that practice these traditions and customs everywhere in the world have their own systems for transferring their knowledge and skills, and usually rely on oral transmission instead of written texts. Hence, intangible heritage cannot be safeguarded in isolation from the local communities, groups and individuals who carry such heritage”.
The closing workshop also featured an exhibition of ancient musical instruments by famous Lebanese artist and musician Nasser Makhoul.
