Takaful launches the “Not Allowed” project in partnership with the Higher Council for Childhood
Takaful for Child Welfare, in cooperation with the Higher Council for Childhood in the Ministry of Social Affairs and with the support of Rahma Austria, organized the first workshop to launch the “Not Allowed” project. They were joined by the President of the Union of Private Educational Institutions, Father Youssef Nasr, Secretary General of the Higher Council for Childhood, Ms. Rita Karam, the President of the Takaful Association. Lawyer Khaled Kreidieh, Executive Director of the Takaful Association, Dr. Daniel Basbous, and Mr. Fadi Zaaroura.
Also in attendance were Ms. Denise Hanina, the General Coordinator of the Child Protection Program, Ms. Amira Nassireddine, the National Addiction Prevention Program Director, and Ms. Bahia Suleiman, Director of the Reproductive Health Project, representing the Ministry of Social Affairs. Also, Ms. Katia Al-Haddad, the General Coordinator of Social Affairs, and Ms. Karen Khawaja, the General Coordinator of the National Children With Special Needs Program, were in attendance alongside members of the Union of Parent Committees and members of private and public educational institutions representing the Higher Council for Childhood.
Dr. Daniel Basbous, Takaful’s Executive Director, opened the workshop, first welcoming the attendees and emphasizing the importance of uniting community efforts to protect the nation’s children best. Secondly, Basbous explained the need of the “Not Allowed” project was due to the urgent societal circumstances the country finds itself in.
Following this opening, the Secretary General of the Higher Council for Childhood, Ms. Rita Karam, stressed the importance of protecting a child from all dangers surrounding him, saying, “Children, especially students, are the product of Lebanese society and are its coming future, and protecting them is a legal and social duty.” The Ministry of Social Affairs’ work team also presented the most critical programs and projects they are working on, such as their Child Protection Program, the Addiction Prevention Program, and the Reproductive Health Project.
Moreover, Father Youssef Nasr, President of the Union of Private Educational Institutions, praised the project, saying: “Takaful starts this project from a natural point, parents because they are firstly responsible for raising children and testing our educational institutions that aid and complete their efforts of raising a child.”
Ms. Denise Hanina also spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Social Affairs, saying, “The Ministry currently has and oversees many projects that serve Lebanon’s community generally, and its children specifically. Despite all the difficulties, we continue to provide a service that befits the Lebanese people who have believed in us as social service providers and the “Not Allowed” Project is nothing short of a practical step to benefit and protect schoolchildren.”
Ms. Hanina’s word was followed by an introductory presentation of the “Not Allowed” Project and a brainstorming session led by the General Coordinator of Social Affairs, Ms. Katia Al-Haddad. The session saw members of the Union of Parent Committees also take part, sharing their recommendations as well as expressing their most pressing concerns and challenges when it comes to raising their children for Takaful to consider when identifying the project’s next steps and building programs to address these topics targeting students and the communities that surround them.
The meeting was concluded by Ms. Rita Karam and Takaful for Child Welfare’s President, Lawyer Khaled Kreidiyeh, thanking those who attended for their active role in shaping the project’s programs. Mr. Kreidiyeh also stressed that the progress of nations depends on the upbringing, guidance, and education given to its children, thus preserving the health of their minds, their ideas, and their psychological well-being.
The workshop raised and identified several urgent issues to address and raise awareness with the relevant stakeholders and authorities.
