The Faculty of Religious Studies at Saint Joseph University (USJ), in partnership with Danmission, held the Certificate Ceremony for the 2025 edition of the Democratic Citizenship Training Program, celebrating the achievements of 25 educators from Beirut and Sawfar High Schools.

After 30 hours of training and two months to implement projects with high school students, the teachers presented their projects at the university, and three of them received awards. The project concluded with a ceremony on July 2, 2025.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Marguerite El Asmar Bou Aoun, project holder and program coordinator, emphasized that citizenship is built through small, intentional actions that foster inclusion and understanding. She highlighted the transformative impact of the program in encouraging participants to bring democratic education and human rights into their classrooms.

In his address, Pr. Salah Abou Jaoudé, Vice-Rector of USJ and Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies, emphasized that the path toward a stable and prosperous Lebanon lies in building a new culture of democratic citizenship, one that goes beyond sectarian identities and empowers individuals to think freely, act responsibly, and participate fully in society. He saluted the educators for their dedication, reminding them that their role extends beyond the classroom to shaping hope and change in the entire community.

Mrs. Kirsten Auken, the Regional Director of Danmission, emphasized the importance of exposing children to diversity, both within educational settings and in everyday life. She stressed that education is a key factor in shaping a more just, equitable, and inclusive society, helping to foster understanding and acceptance among young learners and the broader community.

The event also featured a moving speech from a participant, Yara Chaaban, who shared the story of a student who once said: “Miss, Lebanon is so small, but everyone is so different. How can we ever agree on anything?” Reflecting on this question, Yara affirmed that through the Citizenship Program, they found the answer: diversity is not an obstacle but a strength. By sharing experiences, ideas, and stories, participants learned how to create a sense of belonging for every child, regardless of background.

The ceremony concluded with the screening of project videos, the presentation of prizes for outstanding initiatives, and the distribution of certificates to all participants, marking the culmination of months of hard work.

A platform has been made accessible to everyone interested in using such activities to promote democratic citizenship in Lebanon: citizenship.etublogs.usj.edu.lb.

The Training program in Democratic Citizenship aims to continue serving as a beacon of hope, inspiring educators to become ambassadors of change and to create a Lebanon where diversity is celebrated and democracy flourishes.

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