EU supports UNRWA in fostering mediation skills among Palestine refugee youth in Lebanon

Despite the many challenges faced by Palestine refugee youth living in Lebanon today, they can become powerful agents of change within their communities when empowered with the right tools. In one such example, from 18 to 20 May, 35 students and teachers from the Siblin Training Centre (STC) participated in a three-day training workshop designed to equip young Palestine refugees with self-development tools to enhance their mediation skills in intercommunal settings.

Implemented as part of the Democratic Governance component of the European Union-funded project, ‘SPRING – Improving the Living Conditions of Palestine Refugees in Lebanon’, the workshop was conducted by Dr. Iman Khazaal, legal consultant and head of the Ministry of Labour’s Mount Lebanon office. The first two days of the workshop encompassed an overview of basic negotiation skills, axis of basic rights and related debate mechanisms. On the third day, participants had the opportunity to apply these skills through interactive roleplaying exercises.

As Dr. Khazaal explains, “the training highlighted the commitment of participating Palestine refugee youth to serving their communities as agents for change and their eagerness to engage proactively in intercommunal Lebanese-Palestinian discussions away from the ‘discouraged Palestine youth’ perceived rhetoric.”