In the heart of the Mediterranean, Lebanon stands at a critical juncture. Amidst the scenic beauty of the Cedars and the historic Beirut skyline, lies a challenge that echoes through the streets and homes of its people: the challenge of unemployment. This blog post delves into the depths of Lebanon’s employment landscape, exploring not only the struggles but also the untapped potentials within the Lebanese economy. Our journey today is more than a narrative of numbers and statistics; it’s a story of resilience, hope, and the collective aspiration for a brighter future.
We unveil the layers of Lebanon’s unemployment crisis, seeking to understand its roots and branches. Our goal is more than mere awareness; it’s an urgent call to action towards Sustainable Development Goal 8(#SDG8) – Decent Work and Economic Growth. Join us as we navigate through the realities and possibilities, weaving a tale of a nation poised to transform challenges into opportunities for sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Let this visual exploration be a beacon of hope, a testament to Lebanon’s enduring spirit, and a roadmap guiding us towards a future where every citizen has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from a thriving, equitable economy.
In the heart of the Levant, a crisis quietly brews. Lebanon, known for its rich history and cultural diversity, faces an escalating problem—unemployment. A trend that threatens to unravel the socioeconomic fabric of this proud nation.
Our visualization lays bare a troubling trajectory. From 2009 to 2020, the unemployment rate has surged from a modest 6.35% to an alarming 12.97%. Each line on this graph is not merely data; it represents a personal story, a family struggling, a professional’s dreams deferred.
But where there is challenge, there is also opportunity. Lebanon’s path to redemption lies in embracing Sustainable Development Goal 8—promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
The solution lies in a multifaceted approach: revitalizing the local economy through support for small businesses, investing in skill development programs, and fostering an environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.
Evidence suggests that economies focusing on skill-specific education and small enterprise development see a significant reduction in unemployment. Countries with similar strategies have observed not just a fall in joblessness but also a rise in the quality of life and economic stability.
Our findings are clear: by creating an ecosystem that nurtures talent and rewards innovation, Lebanon can turn the tide. It starts with robust educational reforms, targeted financial aid, and a concerted effort to streamline business regulations.
Let us transform this visual from a tale of hardship into a beacon of hope. Together, we can build a Lebanon that not only provides jobs but upholds the dignity of every worker. Join us in this essential mission for a prosperous Lebanon.
When we dive into the world of university rankings, what thoughts spark in your minds? Are those numbers silent spectators, or do they whisper stories of achievement and potential?
Picture MIT, the pinnacle of global academia, proudly holding the first position worldwide in the QS ranking system. Followed closely by the prestigious University of Cambridge and the esteemed University of Oxford at second and third places.
Now, where does our pride, AUB, stand? Surprisingly, it finds itself at 226 globally. Have you ever wondered why we proudly lead in Lebanon yet find ourselves at number 4 in the Middle East and even further down the global ranking ladder?
As we delve deeper, recognise that AUB’s ranking, particularly in comparison to institutions with a similar budget, motivates us for real change. The heartbeat of our institution, echoed by the resounding opinion of 94% of OSB students, underscores the significance of university rankings.
Think of how many students would choose AUB if it stood among the top 100 universitiesworldwide.
Is there a conceivable path for AUB to ascend into the top 100, and if so, how can we make that a reality? Today, we embark on a journey to unveil these secrets—what factors contribute to this ranking, and more importantly, how can we improve it?
Should we consider implementing additional policies, refining our tuition structure, or redirecting our funds for a more impactful outcome?If any of these questions has crossed your mind, you’re in the right place. Join us as we navigate through the narrative behind the numbers, unraveling mysteries and offering insights. So, grab your glasses, settle in, and let’s delve into the heart of the matter together.
Data Driven Excellence
As we strive to elevate AUB to new levels of excellence, we emphasize the importance of reliable data, recognizing its role as the foundation of truth.Our guide on this transformative path is the esteemed QS World University Rankings which holds a global reputation for reliability.
QS carefully evaluates universities using a set of 9 metrics that determine the essence of academic excellence.
Ready? Fantastic! Alright, let’s dive straight into the heart of our evaluation. Below is a bar chart illustrating how AUB performs across the indicators, with a comparison to the average.
Did you catch that? We’re below the average in international students (ISR), employer reputation (ER), international research (IR), academic reputation (AR) and citations per faculty (CPF).To turn our dream of reaching the top 100 into reality, let’s streamline our efforts. Instead of trying to improve everything at once, let’s focus on the crucial ones that truly shape our ranking. This targeted approach ensures we tackle the most impactful factors, making our journey more practical and achievable.
Now that we’ve identified our key areas for improvement—academic reputation, citations per faculty, and employer reputation——it’s time for the AUB community to come together and embark on the journey of transformation. What strategic actions should we implement to secure a spot among the top 100 universities globally?
Exploring Solutions
“The ranking of AUB could be so much better, I feel like were putting so much effort in the wrong areas”
Academic Reputation:
A. Dynamic Curriculum Updates
Objective: Align AUB’s curriculum with evolving global industry trends and demands.
B. Diverse Learning Opportunities
Objective: Enhance learning opportunities through more industry trips, online degrees and diplomas, and dual degree programs.
C. Invest in Infrastructure and Technology
Objective: Elevate AUB’s educational and research capabilities by modernizing and maintaining campus infrastructure.
Citations Per Faculty
A. Postdoctoral Program Implementation:
Objective: Establish a dual-track Postdoc Program for teaching-focused and research-focused doctors, ensuring an impactful postdoctoral experience.
B. Enhanced Research Visibility
Objective: Increase the reach and impact of AUB’s research.
C. Strengthened Graduate Research Programs
Objective: Integrate research deeply into graduate studies.
Employer Reputation:
A- Improve the Career Center:
Objective: Bridge the gap between academia and business
B- Strengthen Collaboration with International Companies
Objective: Ensure that its programs remain aligned with international industry needs
C- Establish a FabLab
Objective: Collaborate on projects that are relevant to the industry while working on industry-relevant projects to ensure that graduates possess practical skills, showcasing their readiness for the workforce
How do we know our solution works?
Don’t you believe us? Still doubting? Well, consider this:
5 universities that made astonishing leaps in rankings—what we like to call the “jumpers”, focused on academic reputation, citations per faculty, and employer reputation, and the results were mind-blowing.
But hold on, we’re not done yet! If you’re still skeptical, check out Queensland University. Despite operating on a similar budget, it proudly ranked 43 worldwide.
Yes, you read that right! Excellence is within reach, and we’re all revved up and ready to have our beloved AUB in the top 100.
Recommendations
Let’s work together to enhance AUB and take action to make it an even better university. Following our conversation with Professor Bijan Azad, we’ve identified academic reputationas a key area of focus. Professor Azad highlighted that we have the power to influence and improve our reputation. So, let’s collaborate to make AUB a place known for outstanding academics and a strong connection to various opportunities.
In conclusion, the journey begins with AUB’s commitment to enhancing its citations per faculty, a critical step that will undoubtedly elevate our academic reputation. As our academic standing soars, it will, in turn, enhance our employer reputation. This interconnected approach sets us firmly on the path toward realising our dream of securing a spot among the top 100 universities worldwide.
WE CAN DO IT!
If you want to know more, contact us for the full report and join us in boosting AUB to the top 100 universities globally. Reach out to us at jma49@mail.aub.edu, lab38@mail.aub.edu, tgc05@mail.aub.edu , or mhk64@mail.aub.edu. Your engagement and support are crucial to our shared mission.”
In the heart of Beirut, amid all the problems tumbling down one after the other, the steps of departing Lebanese individuals are loudly heard. Each step taken for a new life abroad carries with it the weight of an uncertain future, and a homeland left behind. It serves as a reminder that the numbers in the graphs and the lines on the charts are not just data points. They represent chapters of lives that were left unwritten in the country of their ancestors.
Lebanon, the “Switzerland of the Middle East”, as they used to call it, a country known for being rich in its culture, currently stands at a crossroads. Throughout its history, Lebanon has gone through many terrible events, and as many of us know, it is a country that is always able to stay strong and re-emerge from what it goes through. However, the crisis it is going through now, must be noted as one of the worst. That is, the persistent immigration of Lebanese individuals. Driven by the desire for better opportunities and living conditions, these individuals are not just moving away geographically but are also taking with them the skills, knowledge, and innovation potential that could pave the way for Lebanon’s rebirth. The consequences of this brain drain are a national issue that calls for immediate attention and sustainable solutions.
So why are Lebanese people leaving? Can’t we stay here and support each other hand by hand?
Understanding the Magnitude of the Problem
“A trend, not an anomaly: Lebanon’s Immigration Crisis”
In recent years, Lebanon has not just appeared on the radar, it has topped the charts for a migration of its population. This isn’t a momentary occurrence; it’s a persistent, growing trend that signals a deeper crisis.
The map presented above offers a detailed view of the distribution of Lebanese immigrants across the world. The varying colors (subtle greens to intense reds) represent the concentration of Lebanese populations in different countries. The hues intensify in regions where Lebanese immigrant’s presence is most significant. The visual serves to understand the global footprint of the Lebanese diaspora. It reflects not just numbers, but the spread of a culture and community that has reached beyond the borders of Lebanon. By selecting a country from the dropdown menu, you can delve deeper into specific data, gaining insights into the scale and impact of Lebanese migration in that region. As you explore this map, consider the stories and contributions of these communities, and how they continue to shape and enrich global societies. This is a story of migration, and of maintaining cultural identity while adapting to new environments, and it is a major part of the ongoing narrative of the Lebanese people.
As of 2023, Lebanon’s immigration rate surpasses that of other third-world countries, not by margins but by huge amounts. While migration for better prospects is common worldwide, Lebanon’s situation is unique in its intensity and its impact. The country’s brain drain stands as a stark outlier, an alarming indicator of the challenges its people face and the urgent need for a change.
To illustrate this, we would like to start by showing a bar graph visualized on Tableau that shows the severity of the problem Lebanon is facing. Each country’s bar length represents the severity of their migration rate, with Lebanon’s bar extending furthest to the left, reflecting the most negative rate. The colors range from warm blue hues, to intensifying dark reds with the negativity of the migration rate, which visually amplifies Lebanon’s critical state. This simple visual contrast among the countries not only highlights the magnitude of Lebanon’s crisis but also provides a clear, comparative context that calls for action.
The data speaks for itself: Lebanon’s immigration rate is the most negative among a diverse list of third-world countries. At a migration rate of almost negative 25%, it significantly surpasses countries like Jordan and Tonga. This trend extends upwards to countries with positive migration rates like Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa, showing a contrast and highlighting the severity of Lebanon’s situation. Countries with positive migration rates are attracting or retaining their citizens, while Lebanon is experiencing the opposite.
So why are Lebanese people leaving? Can’t we stay here and support each other hand by hand?
The Human Cost of Migration
“More Than Numbers: The Human Stories Behind Migration Statistics”
When we look at the numbers showing how many people leave Lebanon, we’re not just reading data, we’re looking into real stories of Lebanese individuals. Every time that number goes up by one, it means a family has had to pack up their lives and leave their friends and neighbors behind. It’s young, educated people, fresh out of graduation, who can’t find good work in their own country. It is also those who have worked for years, and have experience in the real world, but the stress of making a simple living has become too much of a burden. It’s the teachers, engineers, and doctors who used to work in Lebanon but now work somewhere else. It’s parents making tough choices, wanting the best for their children, even if it means living far away from where they grew up. These choices are hard on everyone, and they make it tough for Lebanon because it’s losing the very people it needs to build a better future. We might be blind to it now; however, this will surely bring about consequences down the line.
But, what are the reasons behind the steadily increasing numbers of immigration?
Lebanon has seen many of its citizens make the difficult decision to leave their homeland. This is driven by several factors that end up converging into one. Political instability is a major concern. Frequent changes in government and political unrest between Lebanon and neighboring countries have created an environment of uncertainty and insecurity. Personal safety, is also a critical issue, with citizens often facing challenges in maintaining a secure day-to-day life. Furthermore, the healthcaresystem in Lebanon (which found itself pressured by the economic situation) struggles to provide basic health needs, leading many to look for better medical facilities abroad. Moreover, an important factor in a nation’s growth is the quality of education. Lebanon is known for having the American University of Beirut (AUB) for example, one of the top universities in the Middle East region. However, also pressured by the economic situation, the quality of education has been compromised, pushing families to seek better educational opportunities abroad.
Which factor seems to be the most important contributor to the immigration of Lebanese citizens?
Amidst these various factors, one stands out with particular importance: unemployment. The Lebanese job market faces significant challenges, with many individuals unable to find any employment opportunities. This issue is followed by the fact that even when jobs are available, they usually do not provide sufficient income to cover basic living expenses. The impact of this economic instability is big. It drives a substantial portion of Lebanese citizens to find opportunities in countries where employment is both readily available and financially rewarding. The pursuit of job security and a sustainable living is a key factor in the migration of many Lebanese.
To better convey this, we created the two visuals above through Tableau. Both visuals are line graphs that you can choose between using the navigator bars on top of the graph. The first visual shows the total unemployment rate in Lebanon since 2009. Starting at 6.35% in 2009, the graph uses a color gradient transitioning from white and intensifying to red as the value increases, making the increase in unemployment visually clearer. This graph not only highlights the steady rise but also stresses the severity of the situation as the rate more than doubles, reaching 12.971% by 2020.
Similarly, the second visual shows the youth segment of the total unemployment rate in Lebanon since 2009. Visually, the graphs are very similar, with a clear steady rise in total and youth unemployment rates over the years.
Since 2009, youth unemployment in Lebanon has experienced a steady rise, reaching almost 26% as of 2022. Those who are not able to find adequate jobs, especially the youth who are eager to begin their careers, will try to find better opportunities elsewhere. The youth statistics in our data represent those from the ages of 18 to 24. A lot of those could be students who have graduated from school or from university and are looking for jobs. Those with degrees for example clearly find it difficult to find jobs. Almost 1 in every 4 people of our youth are unemployed. This is a critical factor in the reduction of prospects from the country: the very individuals who are often most eager and able to contribute to the nation’s future.
So let’s ask this question again, can’t we Lebanese people stay here and support each other hand by hand?
Envisioning Solutions
“Crafting a Future: Multi-faceted solutions for Lebanon’s brain drain”:
The Emotional Landscape
“The Emotional Investment in Lebanon’s Revival”
Beyond all the numbers, all the data, and all the visualizations presented, there lies something much deeper: the emotions and personal stories of people leaving their homeland. It’s in the stories where we find the true impact of what is happening. Each person who leaves carries a piece of Lebanon with them, and those who choose to stay hold tight to the smallest of hopes that one day things will change for the better, but when?
Consider the hundreds of teachers, who with tears in their eyes, bid farewell to their students, knowing that their skills can be used elsewhere and that they can potentially make a better living.
Similarly, consider the youth who freshly graduated from university. The young engineers, economists, business analysts, architects, and many more. Many are unable to find job opportunities, and those who do take jobs abroad as they are more lucrative.
The story of Lebanon’s brain drain touches on the country’s future. The loss of human capital: the young, the educated, and the experienced means a loss of potential, advancement, and the possibilities of what Lebanon can do. This is not just in the hands of policymakers and corporate businesses; it needs a nationwide effort. It demands that a country come together to ensure security, promote innovation, and create opportunity. Every Lebanese, whether in Lebanon or abroad, has a stake in the country’s progress toward stability.
We acknowledge that the potential solutions we propose are challenging, and they cannot be realized overnight. Lebanon has been through many problems in its history and continues to face difficult challenges. We are not saying that the decision to stay in or return to Lebanon is simple or purely driven by the love for your country. These problems have persisted throughout Lebanon’s history, yet somehow, we have always found a way to navigate around them to survive. However, the current situation is alarming, not just in statistics but in the visible suffering on the ground. The poverty, hunger, lack of basic needs, and underpaid jobs are overwhelming, and we completely understand why many choose to leave and start a new life elsewhere.
Yet, it is important to remember that the call for change is a collective effort. Often, we hear people say, “If these changes occur, we will stay or return.” But who is responsible for initiating this change? We assure you; it won’t magically happen by itself. Each of us plays a vital role in this transformation. It requires a national effort. It is easy to say that we would stay if conditions improved. Think of the country down the line.
First, we would like you to forget the state of the country now, and think that if this problem continued, think of what would happen ten, twenty, and even thirty years from now.
Then, we would like to ask you this question: if we all leave, who will be left to make this change we all wish for?
Through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions, we can dismantle the barriers of global poverty, unlocking a future where prosperity is shared by all.
The Global Landscape of Poverty: A Complex Challenge
Global poverty, a complex and multifaceted issue, continues to be a significant obstacle to human development and equality. It affects billions, limiting access to basic needs, education, and opportunities. Despite global efforts, poverty remains persistent, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding and more effective solutions.
Mapping Poverty: A World of Contrasts and Challenges
Our journey into understanding global poverty begins with a striking global map visualization, where a spectrum of colors from intense blues to intense reds illustrates the varying levels of poverty across nations. This visual disparity is profound: regions awash in blue signify lower levels of poverty, while those in red reveal the depth of poverty’s grip.
Augmenting this, our bar chart analysis provides a comparative view of average poverty rates by country, underscoring the regional differences and highlighting areas where the challenge is most acute.
Blueprint for Change: A Holistic Approach to Poverty Alleviation
Tackling poverty requires a comprehensive approach, one that addresses its root causes and provides sustainable solutions. This involves not just short-term relief, but also long-term strategies aimed at systemic change. Key areas of focus include improving access to quality education, ensuring healthcare availability, and creating economic opportunities through job creation and support for small businesses.
Dual Dynamics: Local Action, Global Support in Poverty Reduction
In grappling with the challenge of how less affluent regions can embark on poverty reduction, we see a dual approach at play.
Internally, nations with scant resources can reassign budgeting towards essential sectors such as education, health, and economic infrastructure. Even modest investments in primary education, for instance, can generate long-term returns in lifting communities out of poverty.
Externally, the role of international aid is paramount. Support from developed countries, global agencies, and NGOs can provide the necessary springboard for initiatives that are beyond the financial reach of struggling regions.
Paths to Progress: Success Stories in Poverty Reduction
To demonstrate this, our trend line visualization spotlights five countries – China, Belarus, Thailand, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan – as examples of nations that have successfully reduced their poverty levels over the years. These trend lines offer a narrative of progress and hope, suggesting that with the right mix of policies and support, the trajectory of poverty can indeed be reversed. This validation is not just in numbers but also in the improved quality of life and increased opportunities for their citizens.
Roadmap to Resilience: Strategies for a Poverty-Free Future
As we conclude our exploration, it’s clear that while the challenge of poverty is formidable, it is not insurmountable. With a global commitment to targeted, data-driven strategies, we can address the diverse facets of poverty more effectively. Our recommendations are clear and focused:
Prioritize Quality Education: Education is the key to unlocking potential and catalysing change. By ensuring access to quality learning, we open doors to opportunities and development.
Accessible Healthcare for All: Emphasize prevention and treatment in healthcare to ensure it is universally accessible. Good health is a foundation for prosperity and progress.
Targeted International Aid: Direct international aid strategically to build sustainable capacities where they are most needed.
Harmonize Cross-Sector Policies: Align policies across various sectors to create a cohesive and comprehensive approach to eradicating poverty.
Share and Learn Globally: Collaborate and share successful strategies on a global scale. Learning from each other’s experiences is vital in this collective endeavour.
These recommendations are steps towards a world where poverty is a thing of the past, and prosperity is within everyone’s reach.
Together, we can advance closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty, creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Houssem Chbichib, Charbel Hanna Daou, Manouella Helou, Chekri Khalife and Adam Salha
We’re sure you’ve heard your mother say this to you “Finish your plate, think of the children in Africa who go to bed hungry.” For centuries, the primary challenge in global nutrition was undernourishment, particularly in less developed regions. However, in recent decades, a significant shift has occurred, especially in developed countries, where the problem has paradoxically inverted. Today, unhealthy eating habits, accelerated by lifestyle changes and digital influences, have led to a dramatic rise in obesity and related health issues. But, why is this a critical issue in 2023, and how should we put a stop, or at least decelerate this trend?
Is Unhealthy Eating That Alarming?
The association of global nutrition statistics with economic indicators reveals a troubling trend in dietary habits, particularly in relation to caloric and fat intake within affluent nations. Empirical evidence, as illustrated by a scatter plot analysis, indicates a positive correlation between a nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and its per capita daily caloric supply, which in many instances, exceeds the upper threshold of nutritional recommendations. The data, represented by a discernible upward trend line, suggests an average caloric intake ranging from 3400 to 3900 calories per day among high-GDP countries.
Tracking the fat supply per capita across continents over time shows that developed continents such as North America, Europe, and South America soar beyond the recommended daily fat range for a 2000-calorie diet, marked by a gray area on the chart. It’s conspicuous that the fat supply in these developed continents, significantly eclipses the recommended range.
Unhealthy Eating Reached a Peak, but Why?
The proliferation of social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok, has played a pivotal role in influencing global food consumption trends. These digital mediums are reshaping dietary habits, leading to an increase in consumption patterns that favor high-calorie, nutrient-poor foods.
Taking YouTube for example, the “Food & Drinks” category holds the leading position with 16 top channels, markedly surpassing the “Fitness” and “Health & Self-Help” categories, which have 3 and 2 leading channels respectively. This dominance is not limited to the number of channels; it extends to viewer engagement, as the “Food & Drinks” category also leads in terms of views and likes. These findings indicate a clear preference among YouTube audiences for content related to food and drink, as opposed to fitness or health topics.
Further analysis into the distribution of views between fast food and non-fast food channels reveals significant differences. Channels focused on fast food content show a greater variability in views, with some achieving exceptionally high viewership. This suggests that fast food content has a higher potential for going viral or capturing greater audience interest. Notably, the channel ‘Mis Pastelitos‘ stands out in the fast food category, averaging 2.3 million views per video, which is substantially higher than the most popular non-fast food channel, ‘Jessica Jane‘, with an average of 0.8 million views. This disparity highlights the stronger appeal of fast food content among YouTube viewers.
Notably, Google search engines show surprising results: the popularity of healthy food has been declining since 2021, while the search popularity of unhealthy food has been increasing. This is a significant change, as healthy food has consistently been more popular than unhealthy food in the past.
One explanation of this drastic change between 2021 and 2022 is that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on people’s eating habits. During the pandemic, people were more likely to crave and order junk food. Additionally, the stress and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic may have led to comfort eating as a coping mechanism. With more time spent at home and disrupted routines, individuals may have found it challenging to maintain a healthy diet and instead opted for more convenient, albeit less healthy, food options.
Okay.. But How Does That Do Any Harm?
A 2016 research study, published in the US National Library of Medicine, revealed a significant correlation between fast food consumption and obesity in adults. The study found that adults consuming fast food more than twice a week had a 2.28 times greater likelihood of being obese compared to those who ate fast food less frequently than once a week. Furthermore, obesity is widely recognized as a contributing factor to various health issues.
Further analysis, showed a direct relationship between obesity and diabetes. The incidence of pre-diabetes and diabetes escalates in tandem with the severity of obesity, reaching its peak among individuals classified with Type III obesity.
Similarly, obesity is a major risk factor for hypertension. The prevalence of high blood pressure also increases progressively with obesity severity, culminating in the highest rates among those classified with Type III obesity.
This Has to Stop!
To curb the alarming trend of overeating and unhealthy eating, we propose three solutions:
Disclaimers
Disclaimers are warnings or statements that inform viewers about the content they’re about to see. Initially used for tobacco products to highlight health risks, disclaimers have been adapted for digital media, including YouTube, to flag potentially harmful or sensitive content.
Considering this, there’s a notable absence of disclaimers on food videos promoting unhealthy eating behaviors or binge eating on platforms like YouTube. Given the health risks associated with such content, similar to those posed by tobacco, the case for implementing disclaimers on these videos is compelling. This could help inform viewers and promote healthier eating habits.
NutriSwap Kitchen app
NutriSwap Kitchen is an engaging Streamlit app that adeptly transforms typical food cravings into nutritious meal options, enriched with access to nutrition experts and healthy food vendors. It’s a fantastic tool for anyone looking to balance indulgence with healthy eating.
Try NutriSwap Kitchen now and discover delicious, nutritious alternatives to satisfy your cravings!
#BreakAHabit Social Media Challenge
The #BreakAHabit challenge, launched on Instagram stories, is a creative social media initiative that we launched as a team. Similar to the viral #IceBucketChallenge, this challenge focuses on promoting healthy eating habits. Participants showcase their journey of choosing healthier meal options or transforming an unhealthy meal into a nutritious one.
It all started with the five of us nominating our friends, creating a ripple effect that expanded globally. As each participant shared their story, they nominated others, leading to a growing circle of impact. This challenge not only encourages healthier eating choices but also fosters a sense of community and inspiration on social media, as people from around the world are sharing now their unique approaches to adopting healthier habits.
Join The Movement
As we navigate the complexities of unhealthy eating in 2023, the landscape is set to change. Our proposed initiatives, including the strategic use of disclaimers on YouTube, the innovative NutriSwap Kitchen app, and the #BreakAHabit challenge are poised to reshape how people approach their dietary habits. Are you ready to be part of this transformation towards better eating habits?
Lebanon basks with high standard education system backed with high ranked universities allowing its youth to tap into the most advanced specializations and research facilities. However, a great percentage of the Lebanese youth seek to migrate in search of a job, rather then stay in Lebanon. While the lebanese idiosincrasy has been historically permeable to migratory movements, it is noticeable that the an increased number of youth is migrating every year as compared to previous years.
The Problem: Lebanese Youth is Migrating seeking jobs elsewhere.
Lebanon basks with high standard education system backed with high ranked universities allowing its youth to tap into the most advanced specializations and research facilities. However, a great percentage of the Lebanese youth seek to migrate in search of a job, rather then stay in Lebanon. While the lebanese idiosincrasy has been historically permeable to migratory movements, it is noticeable that the an increased number of youth is migrating every year as compared to previous years.
Relying on the data published yearly by the World bank, and on the ranking of the countries in different activities and indicators, it is clear that Lebanon does not have a medium to long term plan for embracing technological nor developmental advances. In fact some alarming issues can be the detected in this front, namely:
• Lebanon lacks advanced technological backbone.It Ranks 122nd in E-government ranking
• It has Limited spending on research and development.
• It Lacks specialization in any sector: Jack of all trades is a jack of none.
• Prestigious education acumen. However fragmented efforts to consolidate
• Absence of support and financial recognition of innovative projects
The details
In fact the spending of Lebanon in research and development (R&D) is very low compared to other countries. While the most advanced countries dedicated up to 4.5% of its GPD to support and finance R&D, Lebanon falls back to rank 104 worldwide, spending a low 0.01% of its GDP in R&D. this holds back the country well entrenched in classical and outdated advancements leaving void the possibility of financing new technological advances.
Another indicator is the HCI or the Human Capital Index, which quantifies the contribution of health and education to the productivity of the country. This indicator is used by the World bank to assess how much income the countries are foregoing because of Human Capital gaps and how much faster they can turn these losses into gains if they act now.
Lebanon ranks as low as 124 in the HCI world ranking, leaving practically the subsidies to higher education in real jeopardy.
Potential solutions
The solutions are spread over short-, medium- and long-term spans. The solutions require direct involvement of the society and the government in steering the country towards radical changes embracing the youth and their aspirations, fostering sustainable knowledge economy and adapting the legislative and fiscal framework to support those initiatives.
Details of Solutions
Short term action plan: Immediate remedies
Internet preferential tariff
Fiber optic spread
Involve private sector
Medium to long term actions: Sustainable knowledge and technology economy.
foster techno hubs: India
Support patenting
Revive PPP law
Legislative and fiscal framework
Tax levy for fresh grad employment
Technology parks special status
industrial parks in Governorate
Recommendations
The recommendations are centered on preserving the human capital in Lebanon by involving all the productive and legislative bodies in the creatingt an adequate environment for the lebanese youth to strive and prosper. The major recommendations are:
Involve private sector in creating and sustaining employment of youth
Encourage youths’ entrepreneurship: Startup hub
Encourage corporations to employ youths via tax levies
