Beirut: The Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) recently hosted a ceremony to announce the winners of the Small Green Innovative Projects Competition in Lebanon. This competition, supported by funding from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), aims to foster and develop projects that contribute significantly to sustainable development.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the ceremony took place under the auspices of Dr. Nawaf Salam, the prime minister, represented by Dr. Paul Morcos, the minister of information, and was attended by notable figures including Dr. Zaher Dawy, AUB provost, and Dr. Ammar Olabi, FAFS dean, alongside diplomats and leaders from local, regional, and international organizations.
Dr. Pascale Lahoud, an assistant professor and television host, opened the event with a welcoming speech, highlighting the significance of ESDU's 25-year milestone of service to rural communities, sustainability, and the green economy in Lebanon and the region. Lahoud stressed that the competition's timing with ESDU's 25th anniversary was intentional, signaling the importance of local innovation and small community initiatives in driving sustainable change.
In his keynote address, AUB Provost Dawy expressed his belief in Lebanon's resilience and the need to lay the foundations for a better future, including environmental sustainability and resource management. Dr. Ammar Olabi, in his keynote, acknowledged AFESD's support and the collaboration with national and regional partners, emphasizing the competition's role in fostering cooperation and innovation to address environmental and developmental challenges.
Dr. Shady Hamadeh, ESDU executive director, spoke on Lebanon's environmental challenges and the competition's role as a crucial step towards a green transformation, highlighting the importance of environmental justice for sustainable development. Dr. Paul Morcos, representing the prime minister, concluded the speeches by emphasizing the interconnectedness of environment, development, and green projects.
During the event, Christelle Bou Harb, ESDU Executive Officer, provided insights into the competition, followed by a documentary on the winners. A panel discussion on sustainability, green recovery, and greenwashing was also held, featuring experts like Deenah Fakhoury, Sarine Karajerjian, Rouba Ziade, and Ziad Moussa, moderated by Dr. Lahoud.
The ceremony also marked the launch of ESDU's "KariaNet" initiative by Dr. Salwa Tawk, aimed at enhancing development projects' efficiency and sharing scientific resources. Out of 62 projects submitted, 12 were selected to receive grants totaling US$170,500, to be implemented over a period of four to twelve months. The projects covered themes such as renewable energy, agricultural technology, waste management, and transportation, with participants from NGOs, universities, municipalities, and private companies.