A Lecture by Dr Zahida Darwish The Youth UNESCO and the Challenges of the Times

Beirut Arab University hosted a lecture given by the Secretary General of UNESCO in Beirut, Dr. Zahida Darwish, on “The Youth, UNESCO, and the Challenges of the Times”, upon an invitation extended by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at BAU, Prof. Mayssah El Nayal. The lecture was attended by the staff-members and students of the Faculty.

Prof. El Nayal opened the event, welcoming Dr. Darwish, and pointing out that the youth are the gauge of a nation’s advancement. She highlighted the necessity of investing this wealth to challenge difficulties and pressures through creativity. Prof. El Nayal hailed the activities and tasks of UNESCO in upholding human rights, preserving heritage and democracy, establishing peace, and preserving the mother-tongue language. She further thanked the Organization for paying special attention to issues relevant to the youth, citizenship and assisting students to participate in decision-making processes.

Dr. Darwish then delivered her speech emphasizing on the significant educational role of BAU, dividing her talk equally to discuss the work conducted at UNESCO and the National Committee, the issue of youth, and the challenges of the times.

Dr. Darwish took the issue of wars and their impacts on the youth as a starting point, to reiterate that the prevention of wars is achieved through an education based on sowing peace. She reminded the audience that Lebanon was chosen to be the hosting country for the UNESCO Founding Conference, and that Lebanon took the initiative to join the Organization. 

At the end of her talk, the floor was opened for discussions, and Dr. Darwish answered the questions and queries of the attending students and professors.