To mark United Nations Day, the Lebanese Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the United Nations in Lebanon, organized a week-long youth shadowing initiative from 26 to 30 October 2026, offering students from across Lebanese universities an opportunity to learn firsthand about the work of the United Nations.
Around 40 students, representing a diverse range of universities, academic disciplines and backgrounds, spent a day with a UN entity of their choice. Through interactive discussions with UN officials and staff and direct exposure to daily operations, participants gained insight into the United Nations' efforts to support Lebanon in peacebuilding, recovery and development, humanitarian action, and the promotion of human rights.
The initiative also created a space for meaningful dialogue between young people and UN representatives. Students shared their perspectives, concerns and aspirations for Lebanon's future, engaging in discussions on issues ranging from political participation and conflict resolution to human rights, economic recovery, public health, labor rights, women's empowerment and gender equality.
“Through this initiative, the Ministry of Culture sought to give Lebanese students the opportunity to engage directly with the United Nations and better understand its role in Lebanon and globally, from its support for development and public institutions to its humanitarian interventions and political engagement. It is important for young people to gain first-hand, on-ground insight into this work and the challenges the United Nations seeks to address in Lebanon,” said Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé.
Reflecting on the initiative and his conversations with participating students, OIC UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jean Arnault, said: “We were delighted to welcome young people and to hear their perspective on the UN. We found students from various backgrounds willing to reclaim international law and bring back to the table the voice of idealism, inspiring action and hope for Lebanon’s future.”
Thanking the Ministry of Culture for initiating this enriching activity for young people and the United Nations, Mr. Arnault emphasized the value of creating more opportunities for them to engage directly with international institutions and expressed the hope that this year’s initiative would become an annual event.
The initiative involved 11 United Nations entities, including the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Development Program (UNDP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Women, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
United Nations Day commemorates the entry into force of the UN Charter on 24 October 1945, the founding document that continues to guide the work of the United Nations in Lebanon and around the world.
As it marks this occasion, the UN reaffirms its commitment to engaging youth as essential partners in building a future grounded in human rights, dignity, equality and peace.
