In Their Shoes was a 5-month project dedicated to bridging the gap and rebuilding trust between Lebanese youth and their governmental representatives. We selected 20 motivated youth from all over Lebanon to engage with four governmental representatives and key decision and policy makers, MP Najat Aoun Saliba, MP Ibrahim Mneimneh, Dr. Bassam Badran, and Mr. Ghassan Moukheiber, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding through immersive exchanges sessions and collaborative activities.

In Their Shoes Project Timeline

In Phase 1, 20 youth completed four intensive training sessions, gaining the key skills and knowledge needed to move confidently into the next phase of the program.

Training Sessions

Phase 1

The 20 youth were divided into teams to accompany the governmental representatives on two unique exchange visits.

A Day In Their Shoes

Phase 2

In visit 1, the governmental representatives will experience a day in the shoes of youth. In Visit 2 youth will experience a day in the shoes of a governmental representative.

The final phase will feature a one-day conference with the participation of NGOs, INGOs, governmental organizations, and CSOs. During the conference, youth and governmental representatives shared their key learnings, experiences from their exchanges, and their vision and aspirations for Lebanon’s future.

Final Conference

Phase 3

Phase 1: Training Sessions

To equip the participants with essential educational and communication skills, we conducted four intensive training sessions:

Training 1: Introduction to Corruption and the Role of Youth,

Experts: Mr. Ghassan Moukheiber and Mr. Ali Berro.

Training 2: Municipalities and the Role of Youth in Local Development,

Experts: Mr. Mohammad Ayoub and Mr. Ayman Dandach.

Training 3: Understanding the Role of Public Servants and the Importance of Accountability,

Experts: Mr. Ziyad Baroud and Mr. Assaad Thebian.

Training 4: Advocacy and Communication,

Experts: Mr. Ahmad Mroueh.

Phase 2: A Day In Their Shoes

The 20 youth were divided into teams to accompany the governmental representatives on two unique exchange visits.

Visit 1: Youth participants accompanied MP Najat Aoun Saliba, Mr. Ghassan Moukheiber, Dr. Bassam Badran, and MP Ibrahim Mneimneh for a day, stepping into their roles by experiencing their daily responsibilities, attending meetings, and gaining insight into their decision-making processes.

Visit 2: Governmental representatives spent a day in the shoes of our youth participants, engaging in their daily routines—attending university, studying in community spaces, volunteering at local facilities, and participating in various activities.

Visit 1: A Day In The Shoes of A Governmental Representative

The youth participants engaged in various activities, including exploring environmental research findings with MP Saliba, attending strategic discussions with Mr. Moukheiber at the Ministry of Energy and Water, learning about anticorruption initiatives and academic planning at the Lebanese University with Dr. Badran, and participating in political discussions and community advocacy with MP Ibrahim Mneimneh. These experiences provided valuable insights into decision-making processes, governance, and the intersection of legal, political, and social responsibilities.

Visit 2: A Day In The Shoes of Youth

Youth participants invited the governmental representatives to spend a day in their shoes as Lebanese youth and experience their daily life experiences, challenges, and ambitions. During the visit with Dr. Badran, they toured Horsh Beirut, discussed the education system's challenges, visited the Lebanese University campus, shared student experiences, and planted a commemorative tree. With MP Ibrahim Mneimneh, the youth discussed youth participation in politics at a local coffee shop, attended a class at the Lebanese University to address transportation challenges, and volunteered at Cuisine De Mariam, highlighting the importance of community service. With Dr. Najat Aoun Saliba, they visited Ras El Matin Municipality, focusing on local development, unemployment, transportation, and solutions to retain youth in their communities. The day concluded with a reflective hike and tree planting. With Mr. Ghassan Moukheiber, the youth explored resilience and anti-corruption strategies, played a political card game to test knowledge of Lebanese history and politics, and participated in a creative art session at BDD Garden, envisioning Lebanon’s future in 2030.

Phase 3: Final Conference

On Saturday, June 1st, 𝗬𝗔𝗖 hosted the In Their Shoes closing conference at the Lebanese University Central Administration. This pivotal event brought together key stakeholders, including governmental representatives, Professor Bassam Badran, MPs Najat Aoun Saliba and Ibrahim Mneimneh, former MP Ghassan Moukheiber, NGO and INGO representatives, academics, media, and youth participants from the In Their Shoes initiative.

The conference highlighted the bold and innovative impact of the program. Governmental representatives commended the initiative's success and emphasized the critical role of youth in public affairs and decision-making.

In Their Shoes served as a catalyst for greater youth participation in national decision-making. We remain dedicated to ensuring that youth voices, demands, and aspirations are heard and represented by policymakers as we work together toward a better, shared future.

Key Highlights from the Conference:

Impact of the Program: In Their Shoes proved to be impactful, constructive, and worthy of expansion to reach more youth over a longer period.
Youth Political Engagement: Encouraging youth to engage in politics offers them deeper insights into Lebanon's pressing political challenges.
The Fight Against Corruption: Addressing corruption requires strategic planning, consistency, and perseverance.
Collaboration Matters: Working together across civil society, the private sector, and the public sector is essential to combating corruption effectively.
Strength in Unity: Given Lebanon's socio-economic complexities, coordinated efforts are vital to ensure no duplication of initiatives.

Youth Voices and Demands:

Build a shared national vision with clear milestones and achievable objectives.
Increase transparency and openness by involving youth more actively in decision-making.
Revise educational curriculums to include mandatory anti-corruption education.
Amplify youth voices, prioritize their concerns, and treat them as equal partners in national decisions.
Foster continuous dialogue between youth and their representatives to maintain open communication.