The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon, in cooperation with the United Nations Information Centre in Beirut (UNIC-Beirut), organized a ceremony on Friday 23 October 2009, to mark the UN Day and later in the day a reception was held by the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams to celebrate the occasion.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) and the Irish-Lebanese Cultural Foundation participated in the Kaslik event, which was also held under the auspices of the Information Minister Tarek Mitri. The ceremony was attended by Mitri, senior clergymen, representatives from UN agencies in Lebanon, diplomats and a number of students.

Following the national anthem, the Irish battalion paid tribute to UN peacekeepers with a performance by Irish Lament piper. Statements then followed, in which Professor George Yahchouchi of the hosting university said while the United Nations may face criticism; one can imagine a world without this organization. “Its work has exceeded resolving conflicts and peacekeeping to include important issues, such as solving world crises, consolidating human rights and supporting sustainable development,” Yahchouchi said.

 "For this reason, on the UN Day, we must remember that one of our duties is to support the organization’s efforts to achieve peace, put an end to poverty and inequality and promote sustainable development,” he added. Rector of the University, Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz, praised the work of the UN in Lebanon and vowed to support its ideals and goals in educating students.

Minister Mitri referred in his statement to efforts made by the UN in Lebanon and commented on Lebanon’s membership in the Security Council starting January 2010. “Our membership represents an occasion and an incentive to work on achieving consensus on issues related to our national interests, Arab causes and international peace and security,” he said.

Presentations then were made by Chief of Staff of UNSCOL Jack Christofides, UNIC Beirut Director Bahaa Elkoussy, UNIFIL Spokesperson Yasmina Bouziane and Chairman of the Irish-Lebanese Cultural Foundation Guy Younes. The presentations focused on the history of the UN, some of its achievements in Lebanon and worldwide, and on the role of UNIFIL. Elkoussy also briefed the audience on the basic facts and structure of the UN, as well as the various achievements of UN agencies in Lebanon. During his presentation, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon‘s video message on the occasion of UN Day was shown to the audience.

The UN Day reception later in the evening at the Sursock Gardens in Beirut was attended by high-ranking figures, including representatives of the President, House Speaker and the Prime Minister, as well as members of parliament, ministers, diplomats, UN partners in Lebanon, UN staff and the media.

In his statement for the occasion, Williams said: “For more than six decades, we have faced constant challenges and opportunities, reflecting the world we live in. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message: “People look to the United Nations to defeat poverty and hunger, to keep the peace, to expand education and stand up for human rights in every corner of the globe.”

Meanwhile, United Nations Economic and Social Change for Western Asia (ESCWA) Staff Council marked the UN Day at the UN House in Beirut on Friday by holding a gathering for the staff during which statements were made to emphasize the work of the organization and its role in the region, and a small buffet was offered along with a cake for the occasion.

As part of its outreach activities, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut organized a briefing for a delegation of Lebanese students who will participate in the first annual Global Model UN Conference to be held in Geneva 5-7 August 2009. Members of the delegation, composed of nine students from the Lebanese American University (LAU), were also trainers for the 4th Global Classrooms –LAU Model United Nations program for high school students in Lebanon.
On 14 July at the UN House in Beirut, UNIC Director Bahaa Elkoussy has briefed the Lebanese students, focusing first on the work of the world organization to meet the various challenges of the 21st century. After watching the “United Nations: It’s Your World” DVD, the students expressed support for the work and principles of the UN and its efforts to make a real difference in the lives of people around the world.
The students also watched the “Make it Happen” DVD, which focuses on the work of the UN to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The UNIC Director reviewed the commitments made by world leaders in 2000 to achieve eight main goals by 2015 with the aim of improving the life of people, particularly the most vulnerable. More than halfway to the deadline, Elkoussy explained that despite some successes progress has been slowed or in some cases reversed as a result of the ongoing global economic and food crises. He also gave details about how some of the gains made in the eradication of poverty and hunger were undone in 2008 due to the situation and higher food prices. Global warming and climate change are also adding pressures to the already stressed food market, affecting not only agriculture but also land and water management, he added. Asked to name some of the successes made in the implementation of MDGs, students cited progress in achieving universal primary education, reducing maternal and children mortality and lowering the number of new HIV infections.
Elkoussy also briefed the students on the last summit meeting held at the UN Headquarters in June to address ways of mitigating impacts of the global economic crisis on development and the poor and to initiate a dialogue on reforming the international financial architecture. The students also discussed with him the problem of small arms and light weapons and its effects on realizing MDGs. It was emphasized that safety and security were crucial for development and investments.
The students were provided with a press kit prepared by UNIC Beirut, which included the following material: Building a Stronger UN for a Better World, a short list of MDGs, a press release on the 2009 MDGs report, fact sheets on World Climate Conference-3, an overview report entitled “The Global Economic and Financial Crisis: Regional Impacts, Responses and Solutions," the UN Charter and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As part of its endeavor to open up to schools, universities and the public at large with the aim of promoting cultural diversity, human rights and the work of the UN around the world, the UN system in Lebanon participated in two events at the end of April and early May at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon. The events, "Patrimony and Cultural Diversity Day" held on 30 April 2009 and "Volunteer Day" held on 8 May 2009, were attended by representatives of diplomatic missions, non-governmental organizations, cultural centers, charity organizations, students and youth.

Represented by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), UN colleagues showcased a variety of posters, leaflets, booklets, documents, DVDs and other print material giving a general idea about the work and activities of the UN and its various agencies operating in Lebanon.

In addition, UN staff provided information to visitors about current world challenges, such as achieving the Millennium Development Goals, climate change, the food crisis and the global financial crisis.

Visitors to the UN booths at both events asked many questions on a variety of topics including the role of the UN with respect to HIV/AIDS, children and youth, gender equality, education, peace and security, climate change, human rights, and vacancies amid the international credit crunch.

Since student activities are an integral part of the Department of Public Information’s educational outreach activities, both events provided an opportunity to reach out to students outside Beirut, paved the way for wider exposure of the UN and facilitated the exchange of views on UN priority issues.

On 24 October a ceremony to celebrate United Nations Day was held in Adma, Lebanon. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Force Commander, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the representative for the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) all spoke at the ceremony and their messages emphasized peace and development. Guests included Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the military and the media.