“Strengthening Social Stability in and through Education”

IFI and International Alert held a panel discussion titled “Strengthening Social Stability in and through Education” on June 22. The first panel titled “The need to work on social stability in and through education” featured Rasha Halat, Assistant Professor at the Lebanese University and consultant at International Alert, and Cory Rodgers, Anthropologist at the University of Oxford. The second panel titled "How to work on social stability through education” included Caline Saad, from International Alert, Elio Gharios, Director of Basmeh and Zeitooneh, as well as Ismahan Farhat, UNICEF Lebanon Child Protection Specialist.

​The event explored insights on how educators contribute to the reduction of violence and bullying, while creating an inclusive and positive environment, as well as how formal and non-formal education can support social stability. The discussion focused on the importance of cohesion and its values, measures to promote healthy relationships between schools and communities, ways to strengthen policies inside schools, and opportunities for working towards social stability in public schools and NGO-operated educational programs. “If you can empower children or have a beautiful neighborhood or area, we can help install a learning culture and a safe environment,” Saad noted.