To generate awareness on the issue of poverty eradication in the Arab world and in Lebanon, in particular, ESCWA plans to hold three panel discussions.on the following themes:
Date: 20 October, 2003
Venue: B1 Level Theatre, UN House in Beirut
Time: 12:30-17:30
Generally the official IDEP is celebrated internationally on the 17th or 18th of October. We have chosen the 20th in order to accommodate the participation of as many UN agencies as possible and coordinate it with other activities that will take place during the UN Week.
The opening ceremony will commence at 12.30 noon. In the absence of Ms.Tallawy (Executive Secretary of ESCWA), a designated officer will read the statement of the Secretary General. Mr. Omar Razzaz, World Bank Country Manager in Lebanon, will also greet participants and introduce the panels of the Day.
Panel 1: Is there a food security issue in the region?
Sponsored by ESCWA
Starts approximately at 12.45
Panel Members (confirmed so far):
- Mr. Riad Saadi, Agricultural Economist, ? Beirut (Panel Moderator)
- Mrs. Fatima Hachem, Regional Food and Nutrition Officer, FAO Regional Office, Cairo
- Mr. Mohammad Osman, Agricultural Officer, ESCWA, Beirut
- Mr. Ramy Zyrayk, Professor, Land and Water Resource Department, AUB
- Mrs. Wafa'a Diqa, Office of the Minister, Lebanese Minister of Agriculture (to confirm)
- A selected NGO working in the field (to confirm)
At the end of Panel 1 there will be a 15 minutes coffee break which will be served in the lobby adjacent to the B1 theatre.
Panel 2: Rights-based approach to poverty in ESCWA region
sponsored jointly by ESCWA and WORLD BANK
(starts approximately at 14.00)
- Mr. Antoine Hadad (Panel Moderator)
- Mr. Bererdinc, Resident Representative, UNICEF, Beirut
- Mr. Djemali, Resident Representative, UNHCR, Beirut
- Mr. Alfredo Miccio, Director, UNRWA, Beirut
- Ms. Linda Matar, President, National NGO on Human Rights
- Ms. Mona Khalaf, Professor, Lebanese American University, Beirut
- Mr. Nabil Rawdah, Expert Consultant, OHCHR, Beirut (to confirm)
Panel 3: Combating Poverty in Lebanon
sponsored by the WORLD BANK
(starts approximately at 15.00)
- Ms. Magda Abou Fader, Director of the Institute of professional journalism, Lebanese American University (Moderator)
- Mr. Sebastien Dessus, Lebanon Country Economist, World Bank, Beirut (or another designated official)
- Mr. Taleb Rifai, Resident Representative, ILO, Beirut
- Mr. Antoine Hadad, Poverty Expert, Beirut
- Ms. Zena Ali-Ahmed, Program Manager, UNDP, Beirut
- Ms. Nimaat Kanan, Director General, Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs (to confirm)
Each session will be introduced by a 2-3 minutes video footage, a project from a Lebanese university student, who has visited some poor neighbourhoods in Lebanon and has interviewed families who live under very precarious and difficult circumstances.
2005