The Closing Ceremony of the “Mouvement Social” Project within Afkar II Program

Under the patronage of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform, HEM Ibrahim Shamseddine, “Mouvement Social” held on Saturday, the 27th of September 2008, at the Babel Theater, Hamra-Beirut, the closing ceremony of the project entitled “Young People Talk”.
 
                                         



In his speech, Ibrahim Shamseddine called upon the youth to communicate with each other, and overcome the artificial obstacles that were created with the aim of controlling them through intimidation. He incited them not to surrender to the political dealers and slave traders and encouraged them to practice their freedom by deciding their own life. The minister furthermore noted that the dialogue can create a balance and a common ground between the young people, noting that it should not be considered as a trade contract, for any intention of making personal benefits from it will strip it of its meaning. He also underscored that the dialogue requires a total and unconditional freedom and lies on simplicity and true will. Shamseddine called upon them to hang on to Lebanon, saying in this regard: We will not leave Lebanon we will hang on to it, against the others will.



                                      

During the ceremony, the young people who took part in the project presented a puppet show, embodying the issues on which they worked during the training sessions of the project, such as: dialogue, acceptance of the other, mediation, communication and non-violence.


Also a book representing the fruit of the common life they lived and experienced was launched during the ceremony. Each group wrote one chapter of the book, which put together their different and rich ideas and habits that reflect the true Lebanon, the Lebanon of diversity, the Lebanon of coexistence.

It is worth mentioning that Mouvement Social undertook the project “Young People Talk”, in cooperation with “Mediators without Borders” Association, many municipalities and local civil associations. The project comes within Afkar II program for the enhancement of the civil society.