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DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS
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Vocational Training:
The Lebanon YWCA was the first organization to bridge the
gap between formal and informal education by introducing,
as early as 1920, vocational training for young women. More
recently, the Beirut YWCA Technical College started accepting
young men as well.
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Over
the years , the YWCA succeeded in initiating new programs that
were adopted both by the government and by other private institutions.
It has graduated close to 25,000 young people who have contributed
to the welfare of their families and to the economy.
Notwithstanding
recurring political unrest and socioeconomic instability in the
country, the YWCA vocational programs continue to offer quality
training and employment services to its students. Financial aid
is also available to all who need it.
Leadership Training:
The YWCA prepares different age groups in the membership
to become agents of positive change in their communities. They are
provided with necessary skills for personality development and motivation
to become involved in the leadership process for the advancement
of Lebanese women. This is done through:
- Building
up the leadership within the Association at all local centers extending
from North to South Lebanon.
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Educating young women for the world of business and giving them,
in the process, self confidence and a sense of their own worth.
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Being the oldest women's volunteer movement in Lebanon, the YWCA
has, through its membership, trained many women from other faiths,
and has prepared them for leadership in their own associations
and communities. Thus the Lebanon YWCA has sponsored and supported
the emergence of most women's groups that are active to this day.
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Recruiting, training and involving young women in the leadership
of the movement, as board and committee members, as agents of
change and as trainers of others, through local seminars and conferences
abroad. This ensures the continuity and vitality of leadership
by women at both local and national levels.
Advocacy Programs:
To foster a just, safe and equitable society for all by
addressing issues of concern and promoting the status of women
in society. This is accomplished through:
-Training
of members in lobbying procedures regarding local and global issues,to
enable their effective participation at all levels of policy and
decision-making
-Supporting
change in legislation to enhance the rights and privileges of
women.
-Recognizing
and honoring women who have rightfully reached positions of responsibility
in government.
-The
National YWCA of Lebanon is the first Lebanese NGO to launch a
non- violence campaign, calling for the active participation of
the community at large to prevent all forms of violence to develop
a safer environment. Since 1998, the main focus has been on:
• Concerted
action with women and youth groups to press for the training and
appointment of women police officers and physicians to handle
cases of violence and abuse against children and female victims.
To date, all such investigators are men.
• Pressure
on Television Stations to help parents control suitable entertainment
for their children through scheduling and a coding system.
• Workshops
for teachers of the nursery and elementary levels in conflict
resolution and early detection of physical and emotional abuse
of children.
© Lebanon YWCA 2002
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