Ingrid's story
“The work that Danmission and its partners are doing today should have taken place thirty years ago. We are grateful that it is finally happening.”
Danmission and its
partners work to increase the participation of young people and civil society
in inclusive political and social reform processes in Lebanon. Young people,
opinion makers and religious actors from different geographical areas and
religious backgrounds are engaged through workshops and supported to practice
what they have learned through initiatives in their local communities.
"The work that
Danmission and its partners are doing today should have taken place thirty
years ago. We are grateful that it is finally happening," said Ingrid, a
civil and peace educator working for an organization in her hometown of Baalbek
in Lebanon. Ingrid works with Lebanese youth in different regions of Lebanon to
expand their skills. She and her colleagues are also implementing projects in
Baalbek to empower young people and create job opportunities for them.
Her work with the
young people led Ingrid to attend Tamasok's workshop in order to become better
at supporting the Lebanese youth, as "we have no more time to waste",
as she puts it. Through the workshop, Ingrid was able to define her thoughts
and formulate her ideas in a better way, which improved her approach when
dealing with youth. She is now more confident in herself. She has learned new
methods of working in her field. In addition, she is now able to identify the
needs of her community to find the best solutions.
Another way young
people get involved in local political projects is through conferences
implemented by Danmission and its partners. A group of young people from the
Bekaa Valley in Lebanon attended such a conference. Here, the group analysed
the living conditions in the area and made recommendations to the relevant
municipalities. They then set up a "Youth Committee" with seven
representatives from different parts of the Bekaa Valley. The committee was
tasked with holding the municipalities, that agreed to implement their
recommendations, responsible for their decisions and activities. In the event
of a breach, the committee shall select a delegation responsible for visiting
the mayor concerned and reminding him of their agreement.
This article was
prepared by Danmission. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not take
responsibility for the content of the article.