Third Edition of the Green Dictation Celebrates Peace, Eco-Citizenship, and the French Language

Tuesday May 13, 2025

Organisateurs

Chaire de “Fondation Diane” pour l’éducation à l’éco-citoyenneté et au développement durable

Collaborateurs

Institut Français du Liban

On May 16, 2025, the Chair of Fondation Diane for Eco-Citizenship and Sustainable Development (CEEDD), in partnership with the Institut français du Liban, held the third Green Dictation at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) Humanities Campus in Beirut.

Nearly 500 students from across Lebanon took part, kicking off the event by singing the national anthem with great enthusiasm. The competition ran smoothly across 13 classrooms, each supervised by a dedicated reader and proctor.

The event, held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., was more than a spelling contest, it was a call to reflect on coexistence, community, and environmental responsibility. Through a meaningful and carefully chosen text, students were encouraged to explore these themes through the French language as a powerful tool for fostering peace and intercultural dialogue. As expressed in the original French text:

“In a country like Lebanon, with its many communities and cultures, this issue is critical. Lebanon’s painful history of civil wars, religious conflicts, and fractured identities has too often seen its differences exploited by harmful political opportunism, turning diversity into division and violence. The exclusion of individuals based on their community or beliefs has been misused to sow discord, weaken social cohesion, and obstruct the building of a shared Lebanese citizenship. It is essential to learn to embrace our differences as a source of strength rather than a cause for fear.”

The Green Dictation aimed to raise awareness among youth about the power of education to foster social change. It combined academic achievement with a commitment to values that promote peace and dialogue.

CEEDD extends its sincere thanks all participating schools, the Institut français du Liban, teachers, dictation readers, proctors, and USJ staff for their dedication to this inspiring initiative.