MASAR EU Event At The University of Balamand – Sharks Creators participated in MASAR closing event, the final conference of the European Union funded programme through Madad Trust Fund to support the capacities of local governments, their host populations and refugees alike, in Lebanon and Iraq, at the University of Balamand in cooperation with programme partners: The International Cooperation Agency Of The Association of Netherlands Municipalities VNG International, the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (ACCD), the Polish Association for International Aid (PCPM), and KL Komponent.
Watch the round-up movie of MASAR activities
The opening speech was by Prof. Rami Abboud, Vice President of the University of Balamand, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and Head of the Internationalization and Engagement department, in which he welcomed the attendees and addressed the importance of the special aspect of MASAR programme which is related to the Geographic Information System. Then Judith Geerling, Director of the MASAR Programme for Supporting Local Governments in Lebanon, talked about the importance and different objectives of the programme, then the representative of the European Union within MASAR Programme, Alicia Scorsella, emphasized on the role, intervention and continuous support of the European Union to Lebanon.
In the second and third part of the conference, many themes were presented describing the role of municipalities in local planning and management, provision of basic services, development and local economic investments, in addition to the most important project and activities implemented by all partners, including: marketing for eco-tourism, beekeeping project, GIS Geographic Information Systems, Agro-food processing, disaster / risk management, Hilllakes management and irrigation water, and many other projects in the Union of Municipalities of Deir al-Ahmar, Arsal Municipality, Miniyeh Union of Municipalities, Central and Coastal Al-Qaytaa, Al Dreib Al Awsat, Al Dreib Al Gharbi and the Union of Municipalities of North Akkar region.
In addition to the projects implemented through the MASAR, the technical units in the participating municipalities and unions presented the projects that had been written to be presented to donors for implementation or financing.
Some of the Attendees
The conference was attended by the President of the Union of Municipalities of Deir Al-Ahmar District, Lawyer Jean Fakhry, Vice President of the Union of Municipalities of Central and Coastal Al Qaytaa, Sheikh Yahya AlRifai, the President of Menieh Union of Municipalities, Mr. Khaled Ibrahim Al-Dhaibi, and representatives of the Union of Municipalities of North Akkar, Eng. Raymond Suleiman and Al Dreib Al Awsat Mr. Jihad Jawad.
Mr. Mathijs Kuppen, Project Manager at the International Cooperation Agency Of The Association of Netherlands Municipalities VNG International, launched MASAR website, masarproject.com, and the conference was concluded by MASAR Project Team Leader, Mr. Michel Ligthart.
Read Also: What is MASAR Project?
