ndu Issue 48 March 2010

O Sea!

Return their luggage, the scent of their you possess… but you are a deaf rebel, clothes, their photos, and their gifts. your waves increase, climbing ever higher, Return their names, dreams, and joyful and as your color darkens, you raise an days. insurmountable wall to drown our plea! Return our loved ones to our sight, hearts, desires, and hopes. You buried them O Sea, Return them … O Sea. You hid them away, For we are mothers, fathers, brothers You took them on an eternal journey and sisters, lovers, and children… For our of eternal tears into the dark silence hearts, backs, and days are broken. of the void. And left us hanging between blasphemy O Sea… and faith. Tobacco leaves, orchards’ blossoms, fisher- men’s nets prepared for casting, doors, Editorial Staff windows, and streets open, turning their watery eyes toward you, toward your crest and depth, toward your bay, and toward every sparkle of hope in every grain of sand and every drop of water

NDU Spirit A periodical about campus life at Notre Dame University - Louaïze.

Editor-in-Chief Georges Mghames

English Editor Kenneth Mortimer

Reporting Tatiana Rouhana

Arabic Typing Lydia Zgheïb

Photographer Abdo Bejjani

Layout & design Rebecca Mourani

Print Meouchy & Zakaria

Telefax: (09) 214205 w:: www.ndu.edu.lb/research/ndupress/spirit (N.B. Opinions are those of the authors and do not engage editors.) contents UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD MILLENIUM

UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD MILLENIUM

The President’s Message Academic and Student Activities

06 Fr. Walid Moussa LERC Academic Affairs 11 LERC Activities 07 NDU President in USA 08 Alumni Affairs Office FAAD 1st Engineering Alumni 14 Arabic Songs and Music Reunion 15 16th Century Fashion Catwalk 17 Ceramic and Photography 09 WEERC 2009: A Year of Activity FE 18 Computational Tools, ACTEA 2009 19 2nd Annual Engineering Awards 20 IEEE NDU, Seminar od Dr. Rafik Bachnak

FH 20 Audio-Visual Student at Clermont-Fernand 21 Advertising and Marketing Awards 21 Ndu Education Society 23 Pre-service Teacher Training more on... p 08 FNAS 24 Ecology with Professor Nagi Wakim 24 Social Security - Dr. Mouhamad Karaki

FAAD Fashion Show... p 15 Issue 48 March 2010 UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD MILLENIUM

UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD MILLENIUM

Opinion and Culture

34 The Murder of English 34 Night of the Ad Eaters (Advertising and Marketing Students) 36 Press Release - Ar-Rihaniyat in English FPSPAD 37 Father Beshara Abou Mrad - Fadia el Hajj 25 Smoking Policy at NDU 26 The Bologna Process 38 Lebanon (FPSPAD Students) 26 Universities Building Peace 39 Hatred to Reconciliation, UMAM - Boudiwan and Hbayter COMMUNIO 27 Social Thought of Pope Benedict XVI 40 Iniative of Change - Habib and Ghaly CSO 41 The Imam and the Pastor 28 Prison Comfort with Offre joie - Shereen Mehshi 29 On-Campus Banking 2010 Forum 41 Some Very Bad Days - Poem STAFF 41 How Far To Go - Janet Bassil 30 Fall Spiritual Retreat 42 New Artist at NDU - Albert A Semaan 31 NLC 43 Something for your Grey Matter Barbara/Halloween at NLC Dr. Fawaz Hamdi on Chamber of Commerce and Industry Christmas Mass Visits to Schools 32 SHOUF CAMPUS Bin Talal Institution Acquaintance Party 33 SOCIAL p Obituaries New artist at NDU... 42 Births The President’s Message

Saint Maroun… The priest

As the Church is celebrating the 1600th anniversary Indeed, like the Holy Virgin Mary, the of the passing away of Saint Maroun from this priest is the servant of the Word. After world, and as Pope Benedict XVI has declared a hearing the announcement of the angel year of prayer for priests, I find it appropriate this of God, Mary offered herself affirming time to share with you some thoughts related to that she is the handmaid of God, and these two celebrations. the Word became man in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, and then Maroun, the priest who lived in the fourth century the Savior was conceived in her. and died in the beginning of the fifth, is a saint of Likewise, the priest, who listens to the all the Holy Church and not only the father of the voice of God and consecrates willingly Maronites. himself to Him, is called to bring salvation to the world. Saint Jean-Marie Vianney His Eminence, Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, in said that the priest continues the work his letter on the occasion of the 1600th anniversary of redemption on earth. of Saint Maroun and Lent 2010, noted that Saint Maroun was an evangelic and prophetic figure. Furthermore, in as much as the priest He added as well that this Saint indeed laid the serves the Word, giving himself uncon- spiritual foundations of a Church named after him, ditionally to God and the Church, he through his living faith, his apostolic zeal, and his becomes another Christ who came to prophetic preaching; this was by leading the life serve and not to be served. Serving the of a role model where the radiance of his activities Holy is a holy service and it has to lead reached all his surroundings. Moreover, His Beati- the servant to holiness. The Catholic tude explained that Saint Maroun practiced in his Church as well teaches that “the sacrament life three kinds of heroisms: first, apostolic heroism of Holy Orders configures the recipient in announcing the Word of God; second, spiritual to Christ by a special grace of the Holy heroism expressed in his detachment from earthly Spirit” (n. 1581). As a matter of fact, “the matters and his openness to heaven; and third, vocation and mission received by the human heroism where faith and humanity meet to priest on the day of his ordination mark serve the People of God, physically and spiritually, him permanently” (n. 1583). through the miracles he performed. May the prayers and intercessions of In fact, the Catholic Church teaches that God is the Saint Priest Maroun bring peace and really present in His Word. “Through all the words salvation to all of us. of Sacred Scripture, God speaks only one single Word in whom he expresses himself completely” Fr. Walid Moussa, S.T.D. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 102). In this President Word, “the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children and talks with them” (n. 104). Saint Bernard indeed affirmed that Christianity is the religion of the incarnate and living Word of God. Thus, the Word is the presence of God, the Word is God.

06 Issue 48 March 2010

NDU President in USA

Following the primordial mission He then moved to New York, there he His final objective in New York was of NDU of building bridges and com- met the friends of the University who discussing how to create a permanent municating between Lebanese resident welcomed him warmly. process through the formation of the and Lebanese expatriate, Father Walid “Friends of Notre Dame University” Moussa, President of Notre Dame The aim of the visit was to promote in each state of the United States of University-Louaize visited the United communication: NDU represents resident America (already existing in Washington, States and toured the various universities, Lebanon and NDU friends abroad California, Los Angeles, Dayton and starting with the state of Ohio, where represent expatriate Lebanon, and with elsewhere. Then Father Moussa moved he visited the University of Dayton, a these Father Moussa is developing warm to Washington, where he attended the Catholic University on January 20-21-22, relations. annual conference of the Association of 2010). He met with the Board of Trustees Catholic Colleges and Universities (Janu- and a large number of Lebanese workers, Father Moussa then visited Bishop Gregory ary 30-February1, 2010), which dealt in order to exchange experiences and Mansour, who praised and commended with the subject of Catholic identity in discuss joint projects between Notre Dame Notre Dame University for the service it the universities. University and the University of Dayton. renders to Lebanese everywhere.

Accreditation

As part of NDU’s extension of institutional On Friday, December 4, 2009, Father accreditation, its President Father Moussa and Dr. Abouchedid had a Walid Moussa and the Assistant Vice lengthy business meeting with Dr. President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kamal Barbara Brittingham, Director Abouchedid attended the 124th Annual of the Commission on Institutions Meeting of the New England Association for Higher Education (CIHE) of NEASC for Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which and the Deputy Director of the was held in Boston, Massachusetts, on commission, Dr. Patricia O’Brian. December 2-5, 2009. The annual meeting represented a learning opportunity for During the meeting, NDU’s progress NDU’s accreditation as Father Moussa with accreditation was received with and Dr. Abouchedid participated in much positive reaction. workshops and engaged in plenary sessions on assessment and evaluation in higher education.

07 Academic Affairs

Engineering Alumni Reunion Simon Abou Jawdeh, Director Alumni Office

A large and happy crowd of NDU Engineering Faculty, Staff and Alumni.

The First Engineering Alumni outstanding reputation. As our alumni the graduates’ professional and personal Reunion 2009 offered Bassel Baaklini, make their mark, future generations of progress. But just as long-anticipated as (BE ’99), much more than a chance to students benefit in turn. Ten years have its beginning, the reunion’s end came see some of his classmates, even though gone by, and NDU continues to place too quickly for Engineering alumni, who he enjoyed this opportunity. “Meeting dedicated professionals such as you into spent the last few minutes exchanging classmates I hadn’t seen in ten years was the marketplace and to prepare them phone numbers and email addresses. for the greater challenges in life.” wonderful,” he says. “Bonds were reinstated. “I left campus rerunning the conversa- Dormant friendships were reactivated. The highlights of the reunion were two tions of these few hours and thinking Plans are already underway for acquain- documentaries; the first shed light on that what is most inspiring about my tances prior to our next reunion.” the history of the Faculty of Engineering, classmates and their spouses is not what The Reunion, which took place on Monday, and the second documentary contained they do, but who they are,” said Peter December 21, 2009, was attended by testimonials of graduates of Class of 1998 Taouk (BE ’99) says. “I left campus marked Fr. Walid Moussa, President of NDU; Fr. - 1999, who emphasized the dedication, with confidence that with people like Bechara Khoury, Director of Finance; time, effort and loyalty the Faculty has my classmates there is good reason to be Dr. Shahwan Khoury, former Dean of the devoted to making NDU the institution optimistic about the future of Lebanon.” it is today. Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Georges Eid; “Leaving campus definitely was bitter- Mrs. Nina Helou, the spouse of the late Dr. Elias Nassar, Dean of the Faculty of sweet,” Souhad Abou Chabke (BE ’04) Dean Dr. Fares Helou; Chairpersons of Engineering, stressed that Alumni feed- says. “We knew the fantasy of the moments the Faculty, faculty and staff members. back is critical to future planning. He and the magic of the gathering couldn’t In his address, Mr. Simon Abou Jaoude, added “Your feedback is important to last forever, but it can’t hurt to dream, Director of Alumni Affairs Office, made the Faculty as we work to grow and right?” He glanced at the place, and the sure to point out that 2009 marks the improve our academic and outreach sheer light of memory flashed in his eyes. programs. It gives you an opportunity 10th Anniversary of the first graduating The Faculty of Engineering expressed class from the Faculty of Engineering. to comment on the program’s strengths and areas where it could improve.” its utmost gratitude to Mr. Simon Abou A wise man once said, “All our dreams Jaoude and Mrs. Rose Mady for helping can come true, if we have the courage Though she is only three years past drive this reunion, particularly for the to pursue them.” And it all started 15 graduation, it was the opportunity to time and effort they invested to locate years ago with the Engineering first reconnect with old friends and former lost Engineering graduates. class session in 1994. graduates that brought Ahlam El-Khazen The event turned out to be a great success Hassan Saab (BE ’99), however, said friend- (BE ’05), to the reunion. Ahlam brought and both Engineering Alumni and Engi- ships weren’t the only things that got her classmate Maria Akl (BE ’05) to share neering Faculty and Staff members alike a boost during the event. The reunion in the experience. enjoyed their time and remembered all revitalized his assurance, especially after While most attendees participated in the the happy and sad moments they had hearing Fr. Walid Moussa, President of full schedule of events, many named so- lived at the NDU’s old and new campuses. NDU, deliver the discourse saying, “You cializing at the coffee tent at the Faculty A wise man said, “We do not remember are the pioneers that began paving the of Engineering as the finest moment to days; we remember moments.” way for the success of the NDU Faculty make meaningful connections with their of Engineering. NDU Engineers have an professors who were able to catch up on

08 Issue 48 March 2010

WEERC Water, Energy and Environment Research Center 2009: A year of activity on an international level

MEdIES teacher training on water-related issues Seminar held at WEERC, NDU, on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd, May, 2009

Objectives of the seminar • To introduce MEdIES Network & its material, emphasising water material to Lebanese educators who are not aware of it yet. • To introduce the package Water in the Mediterranean and its philosophy. • To exchange views between practitio- ners in the field of ESD and to merge their experiences in an enjoyable and fruitful way • To get feedback from the Lebanese critical issues of water management, Most of the participants expressed their educators who have already applied the including demand, pollution, consump- interest in the MEdIES network, and their water material. tion, etc. willingness to subscribe as e-members • To apply or demonstrate and explain Participants were warmly welcomed by and provide MEdIES secretariat with reports characteristic activities from Water in Dr. Fadi Comair, Director General of of their activities in ESD. the Mediterranean. Hydraulic and Electrical Resources at the • To work on methodologies for apply- Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water Joint Workshops ing the water material & EE/ESD material and head of WEERC. Then the trainers in general. Ms. Vicky Malotidi and Ms. Iro Alampei, The Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW), • To cultivate interest in the subject of experienced MEdIES staff, undertook the Water, Energy and Environment water. the presentations and workshops of the Research Center at Notre Dame Univer- • To welcome those interested in MEdIES training. After an introductory/theoreti- sity-Louaize (WEERC-NDU), Notre Dame e-network www.medies.net . cal part, the participants were introduced University-Louaize, in cooperation with to selected activities of the Water Kit in the Italian NGOs AVSI and Istituto per an experiential way. la Cooperazione Universitaria (ICU), are SEMINAR REPORT The training was attended by 58 partici- organized two workshops within the Following the successful launching of pants (33 on Saturday and 25 on Sunday), framework of the project Integrated MEdIES in Beirut in November 2005, once most of whom come from the formal River Basin Management and Monitoring again the Lebanese Ministry for Energy system as well as a few NGO staff. Some of Nahr El Kalb Watercourse including and Water, GWP-Med and MIO-ECSDE 10% of participants had attended the Chabrouh Dam and Jeita Aquifer: undertook the organisation of a one-day previous training of 2005, and they shared training repeated for Lebanese educators with the rest the experience of applying On March 30, 2009 a training on on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd,May, the water kit in their schools in the period Water Framework Directive and a Stake- 2009. 2005-09. At the end of the training cer- holders workshop at the WEERC, Old The goal of this training was to provide tificates were handed out, as well as a Campus of Notre Dame University. Lebanese educators at both Primary and copy of the educational material Water On March 31, 2009 a Seminar for Secondary level as well as those of non- in the Mediterranean in Arabic, French the presentation of the results of the formal systems (NGOs, museums, nature or English. During the seminar simulta- study of Nahr El Kalb watershed final reserve staff, etc) with efficient teaching neous translation in English, French and workshop at Friends Hall, Notre Dame tools to address with their students the Arabic language was provided. University main campus.

09 1- On Monday March 30, 2009 training on the European Water Framework Direc- tive in the framework of the project Integrated River Basin Management, Monitoring and Data Management of Nahr El Kalb Water Course and Jeita Aquiferi. Lecturers Dr. Fadi Comair, General Director of Hydraulic and Electric Resources in the Ministry of Energy and Water and Direc- tor of WEERC. Dr. Alberto Mazzucchelli, Specialist in Water Resources and Hydrology from Milano, Italy.

2- On Tuesday March 31, 2009, Notre Doctor Fadi Comair, his sister Dame University, the Ministry of Energy Claude, his son George, and and Water, the Water, Energy, Environ- Mr. Jerry Roger. ment Research Center at NDU, and the Italian NGOs AVSI and ICU concluded a one-year project for the study of Nahr El Kalb watershed. This project was funded in its first phase by the Lombardy Region Solar Thermal Electricity and the Municipality of Milan. The Water, Energy and Environment major Lebanese consulting firms could The final workshop took place on March Research Center (WEERC) at Notre Dame offer services in feasibility and engineer- 31, 2009 at the Friend’s Hall at NDU; University – Louaize organized jointly ing studies related to the integration of it presented the results of the study of the with the Ministry of Energy and Water renewable energy systems into existing pressures and impacts on water conducted (MEW), the Lebanese Association for power systems. at the level of pollution load, urbanism Energy and Environment Conservation and agriculture, in addition to a Geographi- (ALMEE) and Notre Dame University cal Information System elaborated for (NDU) a workshop on Solar thermal and Projet FASEP QADISHA the whole basin (GIS created by Eng. photovoltaic electricity market in EU A l’ancien immeuble de l’université Salim Roukoz). funding is a major re- Mediterranean countries, on Friday June Notre Dame, Louaizé, le mercredi, 29 quirement for further studies. 19th, 2009 at the campus of Notre Dame juillet, 2009, le Ministère de l’Energie et University-Louaize, Bou Khater Audi- de l’Eau, Direction Générale des Ressources On 17-21 May, 2009, Kansas City, torium. Present at the opening were Hydrauliques et Electriques, a organisé Missouri NDU President Father Walid Moussa, Dr. un Séminaire National de Restitution At the 2009 EWRI World Water and Andreas Poullikas, Mr. Michele Genovese des acquis du projet de FASEP QADISHA, Environmental Resources Congress in and Mr. Hassan Jabber. mené en collaboration avec l’Université Kansas City, Missouri, USA, The American In his opening speech, Dr. Fadi Comair Notre Dame de Louaizé (NDU) Centre de Academy of Water Resources Engineers said that renewable energy had not been Recherche pour l’Eau, l’Energie et l’Environ- (AAWRE) held a special 5th Anniversary a priority with the Lebanese Government nement (WEERC), ASCONIT, SED Ic et Diplomate Induction ceremony and recep- and that this contributed less than 2% CORAIL. tion for diplomats on Monday evening, to domestic energy use. However there Contributors included Dr. Fadi Comair, May 18, 2009. On this Occasion the Presi- were plans to increase hydroelectricity Directeur Général des Ressources Hydrau- dent of AAWRE, Daniel W. BOY handed by additional dam construction. In addition liques et Electriques du Ministère de to Dr. Fadi Georges Comair, General Direc- there was now strong official and other l’Energie et de l’Eau(MEE) et Directeur tor of Hydraulic and Electrical Resources interest in solar energy. du WEERC; M. Nawfal CHEDRAWI, Prési- at the Ministry of Energy and Water, the Dr. Comair said that through its universities, dent de la Fédération des Municipalités distinction and designation certificate of ALMEE, and the MEW –LCPC Center, de Bcharreh ; M. Jamal KRAYEM, PDG Diplomate Water Resources Engineer (D Lebanon could offer theoretical research de l’Etablissement des Eaux du Liban WRE). Dr.Comair is the first non-Ameri- and training in the areas of solar, wind, Nord ; M. Youcef KARAM, CDR ; Mme L. can citizen to have received this award. hydro and biomass technologies. Also, Belmont (ASCONIT) ; M. S. Dore (SED).

10 Issue 48 March 2010 Academic and Student Activities

LERC Activities Reports by Elie Nabhan, Asma Abdel Khalek and Elias Sfeir

UNDP Invitation Live Lebanon launching In October 2009, the Lebanese Emigration Research Center On Thursday, 12th November, 2010, a launching ceremony for of NDU was invited to join the National Academic Working the Live Lebanon Project was held in the old Dome Cinema Group on Migration in Lebanon formed by the United Nations in downtown Beirut. It was organized by the United Nations Development Program. The invitation came from Mrs. Martha Development Program and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ruedas, UNDP Deputy Special Coordinator for London. LERC Emigrants/General Directorate of Emigrants. Many ambassadors, Director Guita Hourani and Researcher Dr. Eugene Sensenig- Lebanese expatriate delegations, and NGO and media repre- Dabbous joined representatives of the AUB, St. Joseph’s and sentatives attended, including those of LERC, which further the LAU. provided important data and material in support of the project. Keynote speakers were Mrs. Marta Ruedas, UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Haytham Jomaa, Director General of Emigrants, Mr. Amine Moukarzal, President of Golden Tulip Hotels, and Arab Migrant Women in Europe Mrs. Randa Bdeir, head of electronic banking and credit cards iin Bank Audi. Speeches mainly concerned obtaining emigrants’ support for development in the more deprived areas of Leba- non. Mr. Raghed Assi, Manager of UNDP’s Poverty and Social Development Program, briefed the audience on general aims.

Dr. Ziad Salameh of King Saud University

Representing LERC, Dr. Salwa Karam sits on the panel.

At the invitation of the General Secretary of the Arab League Office in Tunis, LERC participated in the conference Arab Migrant Women in Europe: the Present and Future, held in Tunis on 9th December, 2009. LERC was represented by Dr. Salwa Karam, LERC Researcher since 2007. In her presentation given in the session on Economic and Social Role of the Arab Migrant Woman, she considered migration to Europe to be a natural phenomenon due to the links between European countries and Mediterra- nean states, among which was Lebanon. Dr. Ziad Salameh visiting LERC.

On 2nd December, 1009,Dr. Ziad Salameh, Director of the Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Biochemical Research at King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA, visited LERC inform himself about LERC’s networking with Lebanese expatriate scientists in order to study the possibility of an international scientific network and to enhance scientific research into Biomaterials and Bio- mechanics in Lebanon. A graduate from St. Joseph’s Beirut, Dr. Salwa Karam making a statement he obtained his Ph.D. in Dental Science at the University of on Tunisian Television. Sienna in Italy.

11 LERC Award to Antonio Kaim and Youssef Beydoun

Familiar personalities attending the event. H.E. Jorge Alvarez receiving the Mr. Youssef Beydoun receiving award on behalf of Mr. Antonio the LERC Acknowledgement Kaim, absent in Mexico. Award from NDU President Father Walid Moussa.

On Friday, 11th December, 2009, LERC LERC Adjunct Researcher Dr. Eugene Mr. Youssef Beydoun was born in Bint honored Mr. Antonio Trabulse Kaim and Sensenig-Dabbous; Mr. Amin Nehme, Jbeil in 1962. He has an MBA Strategic Mr. Youssef Beydoun for their outstanding LERC Program Developer; Mr. Roberto Management from Davenport University, service, the former to the Lebanese com- Khatlab, LERC’s Latin American Liason Dearborn, and wide experience in teaching munity in Mexico and the latter to the Officer; LERC Director Guita Hourani and and training. From 1998 to 2007 he was Lebanese of Dearborn, Michigan USA. staff and friends of LERC. Deputy Mayor of Dearborn and on behalf of the city organized much humanitarian Those attending the ceremony included Ms. Basma Abdul Khalek, LERC Project work in the Middle East and for Middle H.E. Jorge Alvarez, Ambassador of Mexico; Manager, gave biographical sketches of Eastern communities in USA. He was re- Mr. Thomas Daughton, Chargé d’Affaires, those honored. Mr. Antonio Kaim, born sponsible for the twinning of Cana with US Embassy; Mrs. Amanda Cranmer, in 1947 of a family from Kfarhouneh, Dearborn, of Beirut with Los Angeles Political Officer, US Embassy; Fr. Walid South Lebanon worked in the theater and of Bint Jbeil with Sydney, Australia. Moussa, President, NDU; Dr. Ameen and films after completing graduate Currently he is Senior Development Rihani, NDU V.-P. Academic Affairs; Dr. studies in the field. In 1966 he founded Manager at Dubai Airport and Adjunct Assaad Eid, NDU V.-P. Sponsored Research and directed the Lebanese Folklore Ballet Professor at the American University of and Development; Dr. Michel Nehme, of Mexico, in the 1980s moderated La Dubai. Director University International Affairs Hora Libanesa on radio and in 1987 co- Office at NDU; Claudia Maroun, Cultural founded and became director of the Then Father Walid Moussa explained Section, Embassy of Mexico; Dr. George Mexican Lebanese Cultural Institute He about the Acknowledgments, saying Hayek, President Lebanese-Mexican wrote books about Lebanon and about how essential it was for services to Friendship Association; Dr. Elias Maroun the Lebanese in Mexico and the famous Lebanese communities should be and families and friends of those honored; Poema por la paz en Libano. recognized.

Emigrant Scholar Fr. Charles Khachan

Father Charles Khachan, based at St. George’s Maronite Church in San Antonio, Texas, came to learn about LERC and to donate material for the archives and database. A member of the Lebanese Maronite Missionaries, he went to the USA in 2003. With a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Texas, he completed internship at the Institute of Texan Cul- tures and is a PhD thesis on Diaspara and Religion.

Khachan touring the LERC Lebanon and Migration Museum.

12 Issue 48 March 2010

LERC Publications for Patriarch Sfeir

On Thursday, 14th January, 2010, the director, personnel and associates of LERC were granted an audience by His Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir at Bkerke, on which occasion they presented him with a copy of the Center’s latest book, Our People and the special issue of NDU’s Palma Journal on Lebanese migration. He was also briefed on present and future LERC projects.

Left to right: Mrs. L. Haddad, Dr. G. Abdelnour, Ms. G. Hourani, His Beatitude, Mr. A. Nehme, Ms. B. Abdel Khalek, Mr. E. Nabhan, Mr. M. el-Khoury and Mr. E. Sfeir.

Book Commissioned on Diasporic Zajal Fieldwork Skills with Dr. Doraï

Dr. Joseph Abi Daher and Dr. Assaad Eid shake hands on the agreement. Ms. Guita Hourani and Dr. Doraï give a certificate to one of the participants.

On Thursday, 14th January, 2010, a contract was signed On Tuesday, 19th January, 2010, the Lebanese Develop- between Dr. Assaad Eid, NDU Vice President for Sponsored ment Network (LDN) and Lerc together organized a work- Research and Development, and Dr. Joseph Abi Daher, shop given by Dr. Kamel Doraï (French National Centre journalist, poet, writer, critic, sculptor, painter and expert for Scientific Research, CNRS) on Conducting Biographical on Lebanese zajal, for a book on zajal to be published by and Expert Interviews. Visiting researcher at MIGRINTER, NDU Press. Zajal is a for of sung extempore poetry compe- University of Poitiers, he is currently based at the French tition, practiced by Lebanese pioneer emigrants and still Near East Institute in Damascus (IFPO) and focusing on appreciated by the new waves. asylum seekers, refugees, migration, geopolitical reorga- nization and the Palestinian Diaspora. There were over forty participants from universities, NGOs, embassies and government institutions.

Amendment of the Lebanese Nationality Law

Mr. Melkar El Khoury, Research Affiliate, represented LERC Dr. Aman Kabbaa Chaarani pointed out that 77,400 individuals at the launch of the media campaign Toward Amending are adversely affected by the present discriminatory law. Ms. the Nationality Law in Lebanon and the study on Situation Marta Ruedas, UNDP, stressed the need for change, while of Lebanese Women Married to Non-Lebanese held at the Interior Minister Ziad Baroud pointed out that amendment Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut, on 26th January, 2010. of the law was not only a legal issue but also a political one. The campaign is organized by the United Nations Develop- Dr. Fehmiya Sharaf ed-Dinn presented statistics, after which ment Programme (UNDP) and the National Committee for a documentary with testimonies and interviews with Lebanese the Follow-up on Women’s Issues. women married to non-Lebanese was screened.

13 LERC and German Students

Professor Sensenig at Professor Escher (second row fourth left) attends with both sets of students At the museum: Ms. Abdel Khalek shows original the podium delivering (Feb 2010). LERC materials to the German students (Feb 2010). his lecture (Feb 2010).

On Wednesday, 17th February, 2010, Public Administration and Diplomacy connections, as a prerequisite in order the Lebanese Emigration Research Center (FPSAD) at NDU, and Acting Director to push research further. Permits, he at Notre Dame University, Lebanon, of LERC. advised, are of crucial importance. Since welcomed eighteen German students Professor Sensenig-Dabbous presented Lebanon has held no census since 1932, from the University of Mainz, Germany, to the students the challenges he encoun- surveys based on sampling are very dif- led by Professor Anton J. Escher, univer- tered while researching for this topic in ficult especially concerning the availability sity lecturer in Human Geography at Lebanon for his lecture Doing Research and accessibility to data, documents, the University of Mainz and Director on Sensitive Topics in the Middle East. statistics and the like. LERC, he said, can of the Centre for Intercultural Studies Professor Sensenig-Dabbous went on to advise on the possibility of doing applied (ZIS). They were guided by Mr. Andreas explain the difficulty of using Western research of a high academic standard. Wischnat, a research affiliate at LERC. research methods in the Middle East and It is unique in being the only research Professor Escher had previously visited encouraged the students to read widely center dealing with migration outside LERC in April 2009 after being told of to recognize sensitive topics that must be the First World. the Center by Mr. Wischnat. After they approached with care. The student group was then shown had been taken on a brief tour of the Lebanon, he pointed out, may appear around the LERC premises and resource NDU campus by LERC IT specialist Mr. more Western than other countries but library, where welcome refreshments Elias Sfeir, they were joined in the NDU still requires careful attention when were offered. auditorium by students of Professor approaching certain topics. Information Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous, Chairperson is available here, but requires knowing of the Departments of Political Science, the right people and having the right

FAAD

Arabic Music Teachers and students from all faculties were happy to gather in the FAAD Exhibition Hall drawn by the sounds of Arabic music and songs that the Department of Musi- cology organized with Miss Marie Nassar (vocalist), Mr. Walid Bou-Serhal (keyboard), Mr. Nicolas Haddad (percussion) and Mr. Milio Ghanem (percussion). Songs of Feyrouz were generously interpreted and all were invited to sing along and to cheer during lunch break, on Friday, February 19.

Left to right: Walid Bou-Serhal, Nicolas Haddad, Lola Beyrouti, Milio Ghanem and Marie Nassar. Music Department

14 Issue 48 March 2010

FAAD Fashion Theme: 16th Century Traditional Lebanese Costumes

On 27th January, 2010, eleven students in the Fashion Design BA program at the FAAD featured their creations in a catwalk show as a workshop outcome entitled Traditional Lebanese Costumes.

“The strategy of FAAD is undertaking Facilities include workshops to enhance the students’ skills a spacious fashion and upgrade their qualifications,” said Mr. design studio and Nadim Matta, Chairperson of the Design superb equipment: Department. “The catwalk event means large tables, sewing a good exposure for them, and is a fine machines and a heat experience. It is great to help them build press, networked up their own design experience whilst they computers, scanner are being exposed to different design and printers for dig- backgrounds and theories.” ital textile design.

This workshop took place at the Fashion The workshop pro- Studios on the FAAD premises, where gram was conduct- modern equipment and technologies ed by Mr. Majed have been installed, with highly qualified Bou Tanous for the specialists who teach contemporary skills History Research assisted by personnel specialized in textile section along with couture. Mr. Joseph Honein,

Maria Khoury Farah Chahine

who dealt with concept, design, and color as they relate to the 16th century, respond- ing to distinct social conditions at that time. Students worked seven days on sketchbooks, manipulating woven and nonwoven fiber structures and different kinds of fabric textures such as chanton, taffetas, cotton, linen and silk.

All the participants were introduced to Hind Keyrouz Creation Rami Saad Joanna Khattar a variety of processes and encouraged to carry out at least one research on different kinds of traditional Lebanese Students were also inspired by the cos- Working on the show provided the costumes in sufficient depth to make tumes of the famous Rahbani musicals. students with a real insight into the them their own. They studied history Crucial help was given by Mrs. Antoinette hard work required and the satisfaction and discovered that the traditional tan- Whaibe for tailoring gained from running a successful and tour and veils were meant to boost the The excitement of the students reached applauded event. outfits to give them an air of feminine a peak the day of the event, and finally mystery. Accessories made from gold, they proudly showcased their designs, a “It is incredible to see all our hours silver or copper were used to indicate delight for the eyes and an enchantment of effort come to fruition,” said the different levels of society. to see. students.

15 Sketch by Alexandra Saddi Implementation Alexandra Saddi

Sketch by Marianne Mallah Implementation Marianne Mallah Sana’ Ayoub

At the end of the spring semester, the senior project of the graduating students will be based on another topic dealing with modern outfits. The FAAD continues to graduate the highest caliber of fashion designers, ones to watch out for in the future. We wish all our students every success.

Report by Roula Majdalani, FAAD

Maria Aphtim Creation Jessica Bonni

16 Issue 48 March 2010

FAAD Ceramic and Photography Earth Water Pixels

On December 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2010, the Faculty of Architecture, Art & Design organized a three-day joint venture with ceramic, photography and music students taking part in an exhibition entitled

Earth Water Pixels.

Viewing Mr. Habib Melki, Acting Dean, FAAD

On the day of the opening, a student band from the Music Department presented live a diverse and animated program of jazz, blues and other enter- taining music. Our talented students received an immediate response to their music from an appreciative audience.

Working the theme. Photo and frame

It demanded a two- step procedure: Furthermore, the BA in Photography at Mugs and frames made by the students NDU offers the students the opportunity out of clay were fired in an appropriate to explore and develop individual style kiln, for clay is hardened by heating it to in a project-based system where initia- Live Band: Rami Battikh, Jad Feytrouni and Fadi El Jurdi a high temperature, thus fusing the clay tive, research and analytical thinking particles. At this stage it becomes Bisk underlie each body of work. By this event the Music Department or pottery. wanted to provide not only an educational musical experience for the students, A coating of material applied to the Bisk but also a chance to interact with other called glaze forms a glass-like colored people. surface after a second firing at a high temperature kiln up to 1050 degrees. The participants at the exhibition were At this stage it becomes ceramic. Ceramic and Photography students from all Faculties at NDU. They were inspired The photography course provided an by the water element, and worked hard excellent opportunity for students to to express their own personalities and use their cameras in their unique creativity, using clay and cameras. Two perspectives to observe the changes in hundred items of frames and mugs of nature, to touch the distinctive colors, various dimensions in ceramics and pho- and to record unique and memorable tographs were displayed at the Exhibi- moments they had experienced. Seventy tion Hall. landscapes with streams and sunsets were showcased in either a figurative The hand-made ceramic mugs and or abstract way within the ceramic frames were decorated with symbols frames. related to the theme, fish, seashells and seaweed. Some of the attendees were Students from all majors may take the wondering how the ceramic students Introduction to Ceramics and Introduc- managed to get this fabulous effect on tion to Photography as part of their their items. education and learning. Roula Majdalani, FAAD

17 FE

2009 International Conference: Computational Tools for Engineering Applications

Left to Right: Mr. Suheil Mater, Dr. Elias Nassar, Dr. Ahmad Jammal, Fr. Walid Moussa, Dr. Assad Eid

The 2009 International Conference on Advances in Computational Tools for Engineering Applications (ACTEA 2009) was organized by the Faculty of Engi- neering at Notre Dame University and technically co-sponsored by the IEEE Lebanon Section. The aim of ACTEA 2009 was to advance the state of knowledge in engineering computational tools by bringing together researchers and industry, and to provide a common platform for researchers and engineers involved in computational tools to share research results and pioneering views about recent From left: Dr. Mohamad Zoaeter, Dean, Faculty Dr. Elias Nassar and Dr. Abdallah Kassem with trends and developments. of Engineering. Lebanese University, Dr. Pierre ACTEA 2009 attendees from Qatar. Gedeon, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Antonine The conference was held July 14-17, University. 2009 on the NDU campus and was very well attended, with 130 papers in the Software and National Instruments, Quebec, Canada; Dr. Bikash Pal of Impe- technical program chosen from among who also were the main industrial rial College, London, UK; and Prof. Joe 240 submitted abstracts and presented sponsors for the conference. An excellent Majdalani of University of Tennessee, in 30 parallel technical sessions. Four social program allowed attendees to USA. Also attending were Mr. Michel distinguished keynote speakers gave visit some of the outstanding natural Haddad, Regional Manager for National presentations about the latest develop- and historical sites in Lebanon including Instruments, some of whose wares were ments in computational tools in the the Jeita Grotto, Byblos, Our Lady of exhibited, and Mr. Eddy Fadel, Regional different areas of engineering research. Lebanon Shrine, Old Souks of Zouk Manager for MSC Software. ACTEA 2009 attendees came from 30 Mikael and Downtown Beirut. The proceedings of the conference are different countries and represented available through the IEEE Online Digi- more than 70 universities and research The opening ceremony included speechess tal Library IEEEXplore http://ieeexplore. centers worldwide. A total of 160 from Dr. Elias Nassar, Dean, FE, Fr. Walid ieee.org/xpl/tocresult.jsp?isnumber=522 participants registered for the confer- Moussa, President, NDU, and Dr. Ahmad 7822&isYear=2009 ence with eighty percent from outside Jammal, Director General of Higher Edu- More information about the conference Lebanon. The conference included cation in Lebanon. Keynote speakers organizing committees and program as an industrial exhibit by two leading included Prof. Kamal Al Haddad of Ecole well as a photo gallery can be accessed companies from the USA, namely MSC de technologie supérieure, Université du at www.ndu.edu.lb/actea09.

18 Issue 48 March 2010

2nd Annual Engineering Awards

Dr. Elias Nassar, The National Anthem The Award trophies Dean, FE

The Second Annual Engineering Awards the same good values and principles ECCE (Shouf): Hussain Kais, Ceremony was held on Wednesday, that you have, and create a future Nadeen Rishani October 28, 2009 in the Abou Khater Lebanon that will be marked with what ME: Eva Saade Auditorium. Twenty one Engineering we all have been craving for - a Lebanon students were honored during the cere- known for its integrity, candor, and • Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service. mony for their achievements during the humbleness, and a Lebanon that is free This goes to the students in the Faculty Academic Year 2008-2009. from corruption, arrogance, dishonesty, of Engineering who have shown dedica- and self-served interests.” In his turn tion to service by planning professional Dr. Elias Nassar, Dean of the Faculty Mr. Salameh thanked Mr. Sarmad Rihani activities, tutoring, volunteering, etc., of Engineering, opened the ceremony and NDU for their support and encour- for the benefit of fellow students. One with a message in which he thanked the agement. student will be recommended by each Engineering faculty and staff members Department and approved by the Faculty. for inspiring the students to greater • Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence. Nominations should be accompanied achievements. He also thanked Father This goes to the student with the highest by a list of activities that qualify the Walid Moussa and the NDU Administration GPA from the graduating class in each student for this award. for their support to the Faculty in its major. endeavor to become one of the leading 2008-2009 winners: faculties of Engineering in Lebanon and 2008-2009 winners: CEE: Antoine Salameh the region. He added “We are proud of George Badr, ECCE: Robert El-Chabb, our students because they have dem- Saad Khoury, Fadi Khattar onstrated that by dedication, discipline Hanna Aftim, ME: Charles Haddad, and a mind open to new ideas they can Georges Akiki. Elie Aoun, achieve great results.” Jessica Ghobril, • Dean’s Award for Engineering Patrick Jreijiri Father Walid Moussa congratulated the Innovation. This goes to students from students for their achievements and each Department who have shown thanked the parents, whose support and innovation in their Engineering design Following the ceremony a cocktail encouragement were essential to their project, whether in solving a practical reception was held for parents, faculty children’s success. He also stressed that problem or in finding a novel solution and students. NDU aims to educate the whole person to a research problem. Students will be and that success is measured not only by recommended by each Department and technical achievement but also by being approved by the Faculty. Nominations a productive and effective member of should be accompanied by a description society. of the students’ projects and the innova- tive contributions. The awards were divided as follows: 2008-2009 winners: • The Sarmad Rihani Award was won by student Rawad Salameh from the CEE: Salam Salameh, Civil and Environmental Engineering Anthony Rashed Department with a GPA of 3.77. ECCE: Adel Nehmeh, In a short speech read by Dr. Ameen Lewaa Hamadeh, Rihani, VP, AA, Engineer Sarmad Rihani Ribal Atalah addressed Mr. Salameh saying: “Join ECCE (NLC): Habib Al-Alam, forces with your colleagues who share Roger Dawra

19 IEEE NDU Branch Seminar of Dr. Rafik Bachnak

Students and Faculty attending the seminar Dr. Rafik Bachnak

On Monday, November 9th, 2009, there with NASA and the US Navy Laboratories, While there are several NDT methods, was a seminar by Dr. Rafik Bachnak, and employment with Koch Industries. the three most widely used for materials Professor at Texas A&M International Dr. Bachnak is a registered Professional testing and evaluation are radiography, University and Fulbright Scholar, orga- Engineer in the State of Texas, a senior ultrasonic and eddy-current. nized by the NDU Student Branch of member of IEEE and ISA, and a member the Institute of Electrical and Electronics of ASEE. He is currently at Notre Dame Dr. Bachnak described the development Engineers (IEEE) and held at midday University as a Fulbright Scholar. of an eddy-current prototype that com- in the NDU Engineering Building. The bines positional and eddy-current data subject of the conference was Application Dr. Bachnak explained at the seminar to produce a C-scan of tested material. of Eddy Current to Crack Detection in how Nondestructive Testing (NDT) plays He explained that the preliminary system Materials. an important role in ensuring that com- consists of an eddy-current probe, a ponents and systems are free of defects position tracking mechanism, and basic Dr. Bachnak received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. that might compromise their functionality. data visualization capability. Test results degrees in Electrical and Computer Engi- For example, NDT techniques are used of the prototype were presented and neering at Ohio University in 1983, 1984 to locate flaws that might otherwise discussed. and 1989 respectively. Prior to joining cause major catastrophes such as aircraft TAMIU in 2007, Dr. Bachnak was on the crashes, train accidents and plant explo- As our illustration shows, Dr. Bachnak faculty of Texas A&M-CorpusChristi, sions. The tests are performed in such had a keenly interested audience. Northwestern State University, and a way that objects under inspection are Franklin University. He has had fellowships not damaged or affected in any way.

FH

Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival From Sam Lahoud, Audio-Visual Facilities

We are very proud to inform the NDU this year in France between January family that our RTV student Georges 29 and February 6, 2010. This year Tarabay was accepted to participate eighty-seven films from different in the 32nd Clermont-Ferrand Interna- countries competed. The acceptance tional Short Film Festival for his film of Georges’ film is by itself an impor- tant matter for Georges and for NDU, Civil but Not Civilized “ ”. and we awaited the return of Civil أهلية ّبمحلية The film was presented at the Mo- but Not Civilized from France with naco Film Festival, the NDU Student good feedback, hoping it might leave Film festival and the European Film a good impression about the potential Festival, and in all three events it of the Lebanese Film and about the was well received and applauded by Audio Visual Major at NDU. In addition the audience. George’s film was the we wish Georges success in his future only Lebanese film that was accepted career and we tell him that we are from among twenty-two other films very proud that he once was one of from Lebanese directors, students our brilliant students. and professionals.

Thousands of films from around For more details you can check: www. the world apply to participate in this clermont-filmfest.com festival that was due to take place

20 Issue 48 March 2010

Advertising and Marketing

From left to right: Mr. Raymond Merheb, Mr. Ibrahim Tabet, Mrs. Jamale el Rassi, Mrs. The winner Miss Theodora Haddad receiving her certificate of Merit from the General Janine Rbeiz, Mr. Kamal Darouni, Mr. Dany Karam and Mr Anwar. Aswad. Secretary of the Advertising Agencies Association (AAA) Mr. Dany Karam.( CEO of

On the 19th of January 2010, the NDU The students who presented their Mr. Kamal Darouni, Mr. Dany Karam end-of-year ceremony for the students campaigns were Serge Chidiac, Lucy and Mr. Anwar Aswad. The students of the senior class ADM 490, lecturer Abillamah and Theodora Haddad. Each gave state-of-the-art presentations that Kamal Darouni, was held in the friend’s one had been assigned by his or her were much appreciated by the Jury, as hall at Notre Dame University-NDU. professor to work on a fully-fledged these members of a new generation advertising campaign that included the holding the future of advertising in Three students had the pleasure of pre- marketing plan, advertising plan, media their hands. senting their Advertising Campaign plan plan, creative plan and execution, pro- At the end of the ceremony, winner for different products. This event was motional strategies and PR campaign. Miss Theodora Haddad received a certifi- organized by the IAA /NDU Advertising The Jury was composed as follows: Mr. cate of Merit from the General Secretary Club and sponsored by the Advertising Raymond Merheb, Mr. Ibrahim Tabet, of the Advertising Agencies Association Agencies Association (AAA). Mrs. Jamale El- Rassi, Mrs. Janine Rbeiz, (AAA) Mr. Dany Karam.

NDU Education Society Rita EL-Meouchy (Ph.D. Education) Motto: - Once Education Major, Always NDU Priority.

Member’s Motto: - Once NDU Education Society Members, Always Making NDU Proud.

The Education Society held its Spring ‘Helping Children Around the World to and our Vice President for Academic 2009 event in the Faculty of Humanities, Read and Learn’ and exposed our pre- Affairs, Dr. A. Rihani for their uncondi- HA 119 titled The Scholastic Leveled service teachers to Scholastic Teaching tioned support and encouragement. Bookroom, Children’s Educational Pro- Resources as well as to complementary grams and Book Publishers. student activities. NDU Education BA / MA graduates as well as Teaching Diploma & Teaching The Scholastic INC. Middle East and The Education Society at the faculty of Certificate majors need to feel that North Africa area sales manager, Ms. Humanities was launched by its founder, NDU always backs them academically as Michelle Alwan and the sales executive- Dr. R. EL-Meouchy, and its pioneer well as teaching career wise. NDU has education and trade, Mr. Bassam Badran education major students on the 4rth of established their academic background in coordination with Dr. R. EL-Meouchy December 2008. We wish to express our and paved the way for their practicum gave an interactive presentation where appreciation to our Dean, Dr. C. Kfouri; exposure in teaching- a never ending they emphasized the ultimate need of our previous Chair, Dr. Mary Angela Willis; journey towards attaining the teaching

21 Education Society Members with Dr. Rita EL-Meouchy

Ms. Michelle Alwlan, Area Sales Manager, Middle missions. It automatically follows that East Dimension NDU will incessantly act as its graduates’ education patron in providing all pos- sible assistance needed. The Education Society members’ feedback help sustain the Education program in preparing an action-oriented, problem-solving Mr. Bassem Badran, Sales Executive, curriculum with content and materials As Founder of the Education Society, Education and Trade, Middle East designed to produce change agents, I can vouch that the purpose and provisions and North Africa particularly catered to our imminent of the society will undoubtedly accentu- education setting. ate our Education majors’ sense of NDU belonging; Even after graduation, our Thus, the Education Society at the Faculty pre-service teachers will be made to of Humanities aims at promoting the feel that NDU sustains their professional Education Department and establishing development. and solidifying mutually beneficial rela- tions among schools and our Education We are proud to share with you that Department through our pre-service Education Society has initiated a set of teachers. In addition, it aspires to keep activities for 2010. We will be looking the Education majors intertwined forward to have you participate in the through professional and social contact events of these events in the upcoming under the NDU educational umbrella. issues of the NDU spirit. Keep on the It is our plan to continuously enrich our lookout for our announcements. members’ academic repertoires with updated researches in their field, super- All NDU Education majors and graduates visory conferences and workshops that are encouraged to apply to the Educa- are linked to their teaching experiences tion Society. in the classroom. To apply, please contact: Dr. R. EL-Meouchy I confidently reckon, as advisor of the via NDU email: BA Education, Teaching Diploma & [email protected] or phone Teaching Certificate, that a prospective extension-Main Campus-: 2418. Pres- teacher’s education should not end at ently, we are 48 members, definitely the student teachers graduation; hence, educationally ‘alive’ and planning to I unhesitatingly support the idea of fu- master the art of professional academic ture professional development through- ‘kicking’! out an educator’s career. Wish us luck! Materials on display (Article shortened for reasons of space)

22 Issue 48 March 2010

Pre-service Teacher Training: Continuous Need for Reform and Thinking By: Rita EL-Meouchy (Ph.D. Education).

Education Practicum – Roundtable: Professional Development for our NDU Pre-service Teachers.

2009 Pre-service Teachers’ Group with Dr. Rita EL-Meouchy

• The Education Teacher Training Practicum courses in the Education Department at the Faculty of Humanities fully acknowl- edges that the gap between the curriculum taught to teacher trainees and the reality that exists in schools is an ever real concern. So the Education Teacher Training Practi- cum courses in the Education Department introduced the concept of “Taped Left to right: Ruba, Layale, Petra, Sara, Perla, Dr. EL-Meouchy, Roundtable Practice Oriented” sessions. Priscilla, Ange and Phylipsy • Dr. R. EL-Meouchy, Practicum Instructor & Advisor of the Teaching Diploma/ Teach- ing Certificate as well as B.A. Education, In addition, our Education Department Education practicum for 2009 were initi- introduced the notion of taped round- needs to build on the practicums of ated to take ‘leading roles’ in sharing table open discussion sessions in each our pre-service student teachers. The their individual teaching experiences Education practicum course. Dean of Humanities, Dr. C. Kfouri, gave in Catholic schools, where they were permission for practicum courses to be assigned to observe, reflect and teach. • The first roundtable discussion follows equipped with adequate audio-visual Discussions were innovatively lively and open ended approach that focuseS on component/ aids (camera) in order for educationally constructive. encouraging innovative outcomes as the pre-service teachers teaching session In 2009, our pre-service teachers have well as underlining the feasibility of to be taped. been welcomed by the following schools: the taught teaching/learning strategies. NDL, Jesus & Mary, St Joseph’s, Antonine The second one zoomed on the actual The picture of our Roundtable ‘wrap-up’ Sisters of Ghazir, and Sagesse Ain Saade. happenings in the schools and encouraged session focused on the need for regular Our thanks go to Fr. Naji Khalil, School our pre-service teachers to suggest “skilling” of teachers: on using eclectic Principal of Notre Dame of Louaize, workable solutions and to plan their methodologies of teaching to create to Fr. Joseph Tannous, Jesus and Mary final full lesson – to be given in the pre- and manage a learning environment, School Principal, to Fr. Richard Bou service teachers’ respective schools- on training in delivering an “engaging Moussa, Principal of St. Joseph’s School, accordingly. The final pre-service teaching and interactive” learning experience Sister Dominique Halabi, Principal of session and its constructive feedback as well as training in creating high qual- Antonine Sisters School and to Fr. Gabriel session are to be taped as of next semester. ity sharable experience in delivering Tabet, Principal of Sagesse Ain Saade. Dr. EL-Meouchy believes that taping the assigned content. Our pre-service teachers for 2009 were each pre-service teacher’s last teaching Ms Ruba Maatouk, Ms. Layal Sarrouf, session enables our future teachers to In addition, the roundtable argues the Ms. Petra Abi Farah, Ms. Sara Koutia, reflect on their strategies as well as on establishment of certification programs Ms. Perla Nassar, Ms. Priscilla Koueik, their trainer’s comment/s while developing for Lebanese teachers as well as exam- Ms. Ange Moukarzel, and Ms. Phylipsy an educated constructive critical eye. ining the potential impact of expected Antoun. In addition, our Education Department standards on professional development. needs to build on the practicums of The eight pre-service teachers in the (Article shortened for reasons of space)

23 FNAS Ecology with Prof. Nagi Wakim

Professor Nagi Wakim and his audience

On Tuesday, November 24, 2009, Profes- In the second part of his lecture, Pr. research and development, and admin- sor Nagi Wakim gave a lecture at NDU Wakim addressed the issue of how to istration in industry, government, and about Realizing an Information Ecology, realize an IE. His approach uses soft- higher education, which includes ap- a research that he started in 1991 while ware agents that are expected to pointments as a department chairman, he was working at NASA. His presentation achieve active learning. He also gave dean, and vice president. He conducted can be divided into two parts. some areas of applications of agent- his doctoral research in the area of Inte- In the first part of his lecture, Pr. Wakim based systems, as for example (1) data gration of Heterogeneous Data Systems defined Information Ecology (IE) as and web-mining, (2) e-profiling for while working at NASA’s Goddard Space being a metaphor used to associate security risk assessment, marketing, etc. Flight Center. His research findings an informational space with a natural (3) monitoring and control with refer- provided the foundation for the devel- ecology. The main aims of IE are (1) to ence to satellite operations, weather opment of NASA’s Master Directory for develop information systems that are forecasting, etc. the on-going Global Change studies. able to manage change in the system, It is worth noting that Professor Wakim is His scientific research interests include data, and users, (2) to build autonomous still doing some research on this specific information ecology and distributed and software, and (3) to achieve automation. topic with some colleagues and Master heterogeneous systems. Moreover, Prof. Moreover, he discussed some major students. Wakim has a fond interest in human challenges that face IE, as for example: development and the use of information (1) the high cost of maintaining a control Dr. Nagi Wakim is a professor in the technology in education. He has pub- center, (2) the complexity of the infra- Computer and Information Science lished numerous papers and articles and structure, (3) a highly dynamic environ- Department at the Holy Spirit University has presented his work at the national ment, (4) real-time and mission-critical of Kaslik. He earned a Ph.D. in Com- and international levels. systems, and (5) the incompleteness of puter Science in 1989 from Polytechnic information. University (New York, USA) and has over

Social Security: “Facts and Challenges” Reported by: Mrs. Claudia Freiji Bou Nassif (Actuarial Science Program Coordinator

On Monday, 14th December, 2009, Dr. in government bonds and the remaining Mouhamad Karaki, Director General of 20% placed in private banks. The average the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), return amounted to 9% in 2008. lectured on the Current State and Chal- Dr. Karaki presented the challenges lenges facing the Fund. He presented the facing the NSSF. A non-exhaustive list main three divisions of the Fund, namely, includes – the Maternity and Sickness, Family Al- a. Aging and depletion in the workforce. lowance and End-of-Service Indemnity. b. High administrative cost. Dr. Mouhamad Karaki He discussed the legal structure and the c. Lack of adequate specialization. administrative as well as the financial d. Lack of actuarial assessment in 2. Hiring qualified and specialized conditions of the Fund and highlighted rate-setting benefits provided for employees and providing them with the substantial lack of a trained and new adherents. adequate training. adequate labor force. While the End- 3. Improving the financial situation of of-Service division showed consistent e. Insufficiency in computerized systems the fund by cost containment through surplus during the period extending f. High government debt owed to the computerization, utilization control, from 2003 up to the present time, the NSSF. enhanced salary structure, etc… other two divisions experienced substan- tial deficit. This financial strain resulted Finally, future steps envisaged to achieve 4. Increase in the number of beneficiaries. from high administrative cost, high lapse the desired reform in the NSSF should 5. Increase in benefits such as dentistry, rate and gigantic unpaid governmental focus on the following: workers’ compensation, unemployment bills amounting to 962 billion Lebanese 1. Substantiating the independence of benefits, etc… pounds of which only 240 billion were the Fund by eliminating political influ- paid in 2009. The investment strategy of Finally, Dean Eid and Dr. Karaki enter- ence on the selection and appointment the fund was also discussed, according to tained the idea of having one or two of employees. which 80% of the money was invested NDU students for internship at the NSSF.

24 Issue 48 March 2010

FPSPAD

Smoking Policy at NDU Ray Kazan, Business Faculty Dina Darwiche, Political Science Faculty

Smoking has always been an important In the second set of presentations, two of the Smoke Free Policy, how the issue in our society. Controlling it at students of the MGT 312 class prepared policy “should” be implemented, how Notre Dame University was one of the and presented presentations on the to report someone who is not abiding motives that pushed Dr. Elham Hashem issue. by the policy rules, and some steps on and Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous to how to quit and prevent smoking in organize students for their presenta- In the first presentation, Caline Kajouni the university. tions of combating indoor campus a Human Resources Management ma- smoking. The alternative is smoking jor, explained that all the advantages of It is clear that the Smoke Free Policy outdoors! The session was held be- smoking are not worth one of the dis- covers all types of smoking products tween the students of MGT 312, Train- advantages of tobacco. In an interactive not only cigarettes. ing and Development and the PAD 201, presentation, she demonstrated how Introduction to Public Administration smoking can affect the life of smokers The policy seeks to take into account classes. The presentation was held in negatively. Then she interacted with the needs of those who smoke and Abou Khater Hall on Tuesday the 26th the non-smokers in the audience by at- offers support to those who wish to of January 2010. It was broadly about tempting to understand why they don’t stop. It raises awareness of the dan- the development and the implementa- smoke. The most common responses gers associated with the exposure tion, or non-implementation, of the were the smell, taste and the effect on to tobacco smoke and guarantees a NDU smoking policy. The PAD 201 stu- their health. healthy working environment because dents prepared two different presen- it protects the current and future tations regarding the smoking policy health of employees, students and issue at NDU. visitors. It guarantees the right of non-smokers to breathe air free from The first group capitalized on the inten- tobacco smoke. tion of the policy, how the smoking policy was set on the agenda, where The policy should be applied to and the policy is being articulated, the enforced by all University visitors, policy formulation and the initiators, patients, students, faculty and em- to what degree the policy is being ployees. It is the responsibility of every enforced among the student body, and member of the University community lastly if the policy is even legitimate. to comply with the policy.

The second group discussed the issue of No one should be scared to report policy implementation, evaluation and someone who is not abiding by change. They concluded that the non- the policy rules. implementation of the policy is taking place at four distinct levels, i.e. the Some steps the University could take academic, non-academic, co-academic, to implement the rules are placing and the student levels. The policy and sensors in all the indoor areas. The use its implementation should be orga- of pictures and videos may be more nized and interpreted in a way that all Ray Kazan, a Human Resources student, useful that traditional signs. members of NDU’s faculty and student did the second presentation. He began body can fully understand it. In case the his presentation with a TV advertise- The presentations were concluded by policy is not being implemented, the ment called “Get Unhooked”. This was a discussion between Dr. Ziad Fahed, group proposed various sanctions for used in the United Kingdom for smok- the Assistant Director of the SAO, Dr. the violation of the policy by staff and ing prevention. The main points of his Sensenig-Dabbous and Dr. Hashem the students. It also considered way of presentation focused on the different on how the policy should be imple- encouraging the university to fight the types of tobacco, the effects of smok- mented and whether is it possible to culture of impunity and implement its ing on personal health, the coverage apply this type of policy at a Lebanese own policies on campus. of the Smoke Free Policy, the objective university.

25 The Bologna Process For a European Higher Education Area Jessica Hallak, FPSPAD

Current DAAD Director (http://www. mobility through the internationalization effect on the duration of studies. Fur- daad.de/en/), Andreas Wutz, recently of research, and the encouragement of thermore, the agreement is seen as part chaired two presentations regarding the the free-flow of the workforce. of an un-democratic decision-making Bologna Process. The conference was The establishment of a homogenous process. held at the NDU campus on the 14th of educational system is required to be in As part of the European Neighbourhood December 2009 and the 18th of January compliance with the Compact Bachelor Policy’s commitment to Lebanon, the 2010. Students and representatives of Curricula, the European Credit Transfer, Ministry of Education and Higher Educa- the FPSPAD, FNAS, FH and FBAE faculties the Accumulation System (ECTS), the tion has drafted laws on the re-organi- attended both of the sessions. In the three-cycle system (Bachelor, Master, zation of private higher education and first day, Dir. Wutz introduced the inter- PhD) and the Diploma Supplement. on the universities of Lebanon. national agreement. The second day of Furthermore, the implementation of the However, their adoption has not yet the conference, he did a brief overview Bologna framework is dependent upon been accomplished. As of today, there of the process and concluded with a the domestic political priorities, the are some countries, which still have not question-answer session. decisions and cooperation of national decided on the extent to which they The Bologna Process agreement was institutions, student organizations, and will implement the Bologna Process signed in 1999. As of today, there are the universities. measures. A great deal more needs to 46 signatory countries. The main goals Dir. Wutz included in his discussion the be done to accomplish the goals of the of the Bologna Process are to establish various criticisms that the process has process. a European area of higher education been facing. These are concerning over- NDU students and faculty are currently and to promote the European system regulation, the excessive work-load for considering how they can become part of higher education throughout the undergraduates, and the link between of the Bologna implementation process world. The objectives of the process are teaching and research. The universities in Lebanon. The DAAD encourages directed towards coping with the rising are becoming mere “diploma factories”. Lebanon to take an active role in linking number of students, a changing labor The undergraduate mobility is not in- education in the Middle East to Germany market, the encouragement of student creasing and there is often no significant and the EU in general.

Rondine – Universities Building Peace Michele Fenianos (Club for International Relations)

Michele Fenianos and Nadine Mazraani, reflected in conflict resolution and both students of International Affairs, peaceful coexistence.” Teachers and accompanied the Dean of the Faculty of students participated from countries Political Science, Public Admininistration in Europe, the Middle East, Russia, the and Diplomacy (FPSPAD), Dr. Chahine Caucasus, Africa and the United States. Ghais, to a Transcontinental Study week They came from 12 different universi- at the association “Rondine Cittadella ties and all interacted and shared with della Pace” (Arezzo, Italy - http://www. one another their different experiences, rondine.org/). This is a non-profit asso- knowledge and skills to produce a com- ciation that is active in creating a culture mon declaration to be implemented by of dialogue through the creation of the both public and private sectors around International Hall of Residence, a neu- the world. tral territory for students coming from regions impacted by protracted conflict NDU contributed to the conference with between countries of origin and expatri- situations. a student presentation and scholarly ate populations abroad. It highlighted paper on the role of expatriates in the the activities of the Faculties and Research The conference, entitled: “Uni4: Univer- development of the home communities. Centers (http://www.ndu.edu.lb/Lerc/) sities building peace”, was scheduled the Titled “Reconverting Brain Drain into at NDU, in particular, and the greater 23rd through the 26th of November 2009. Brain Circulation: The Diffusion of migration research community in Lebanon, The main goal was to focus “on the role Knowledge and Science as a Tool of in general. Special emphasis was placed played by universities and education Development and Peace” this presenta- on the contribution made by advanced in inter-cultural dialogue and peace tion dealt with the role that universities undergraduate and graduate students in research processes.” Shedding light on in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) the areas of applied field research, advo- how this method can be positively region can play in establishing networks cacy, and civil society networking.

26 Issue 48 March 2010

Communio

Hospitality of Dr. Doumit Salameh, 22-01-10. Left to right: Dr. Edward Alam, Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous, Dr. Left to right: Dr. Thomas Scheffler, Mr. George Trad, Mr. Kenneth Mortimer, Dr. Habib Doumit Salameh. Charles Malik, Dr. Richard Khouri.

On December 18th, 2009, the Com- relation being practically synonymous. baptised: “You who have been baptised munio circle once again enjoyed the Greek philosophy perfected theology in Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia!” hospitality of Dr. Habib Charles Malik to rather than corrupting it. Anthropology Dr. Edward Alam then opened proceed- discuss the article Fundamental Politics: began with the idea of person. A clear ings, a continued study of the present What we must learn from the Social idea of God as person led to respect for Pope’s treatment of political order, hold- Thought of Benedict XIV by Thomas the 2human individual, of man as the ing that reason inhabits the universe its Rourke, published in Communio (Fall likeness of God. autonomy does not imply independence 2008). As usual the attendance was from God. In one of his books, the Holy quite interdenominational, with the Consequently, the concept of an individ- Father uses Genesis to stress that the Latin, Syriac, Eastern Catholic-Orthodox ual as an isolated monad was also seen notion of creation guarantees the coher- and Reformed traditions all represented as erroneous. Person was inseparable ence and intelligibility of the universe. by participants mainly academics from from relationship, as in the Trinity. Mr. Genesis dispels the pagan demonic pow- Notre Dame-Louaize and other Leba- Riad Mufarraj raised the matter of the ers and divinities to insist on the one nese universities. person transcending nature, for in the Creator, while the sun and the moon are case of identical twins one apparently no longer gods but are placed to mea- Dr. Malik acted as moderator for the sees two persons with one nature. sure time. It was through the Logos that discussion, the subject of which was Discussion continued long, but all were all things came to be, according to the introduced by Dr. Edward Alam and Mr. amply refreshed by the generous hospi- Prologue of St. John, so when reason is Riad Mufarraj. The article in Communio tality of Dr. Malik. In addition to those used to attack creation, it denies its own opens by stating that Pope Benedict, an mentioned above, participants included source. Augustinian, is known as a biblical and Dr. Richard Khuri, Fr. Martin McDermott patristic scholar rather than as a politi- S.J., Mr. Kenneth Mortimer, Mr. Tony Benedict warns that political reason can- cal thinker, but Thomas Rourke suggests Nasrallah, Dr. Doumit Salameh, Dr. Eu- not afford to ignore the Decalogue, the that he is in fact a profound politi- gene Sensenig, Mr. George Trad and Dr. basis of social and political order, which cal thinker even though he does not Yussef Zgheib. does not mean that politics may be de- express himself as such in his scholarly duced from revelation, as in a theocracy. or pastoral statements. An analogy was On Friday, January 22nd, the Com- The denial of God leads man to try to re- drawn between fundamental dogmatic munio circle met, not for the first time, fashion his own nature, in fact a power theology, as the basis for pastoral and in the home of Dr. Doumit Salameh. elite trying to refashion the others. The all other branches of theology, and One recalls the verse of Hilaire Belloc in State, even with a democratic constitu- “fundamental politics”, as the basis for protest against the religious Puritanism tion, that excludes God in the name of other branches of Politics. of the North: science tends towards totalitarianism, “Wherever the Catholic sun doeth shine, whether of right or left, while talking The study of the first section of the There is always laughter and good red about democracy. One example men- article dealt with the relation between wine. tioned was that in accordance with the person and relation, a matter which At least I’ve always found it so, Eugenic theories of Sir Francis Galton, gives an insight into the Christian un- Benedicamus Domino!” down to the nineteen-sixties Aborigi- derstanding of the Divinity. The Hebrew nal and Amerindian children were torn Old Testament referred to the face of The article under discussion was the same away from their families to be “Euro- God (panim), while the Greek equivalent as that studied at the previous meeting. peanised”, British children were taken for person, prosopon, referred to a role, First of all Mr. Riad Mufarraj chanted away from supposedly defective families as in a theatrical drama. This dovetailed in Arabic the versed used during the to be sent to Australia and some Scandi- with the theological explanation of the baptismal rite, sung in early times by navian children mistakenly considered to identity of the Biblical God, person and Christians for the benefit of the newly be subnormal were sterilised.

27 The discussion then turned on the ques- In addition to those present at the previ- N.B. Communio meetings are open to tions of theocracy, which tries to find in ous meeting, there came Fr. Vincent Mc- all, whether members of the NDU family revelation a solution for every problem, Dermott, S.J., Dr. Yusuf Zgheib of NDU or of other universities, or simply mem- and millenarianism, the expectation of a and Mr. Tony Nasrallah of LAU. bers of the public interested in the more state of salvation within history, “apply- intellectual aspects of religions. ing political means beyond their own Father Shmemann said of Soljhenitsyn, logic.” True utopianism was seen not as “His truth exposes the lie of Soviet This invitation is extended to the faith- a search to establish an ideal state but literature, but because he is totally part ful of every religious adherence, for as a search for ideals in a hypothetical of it, he converts the ‘Soviet’ into Rus- Orthodox and Reformed participate state, such as the Pope finds in Thomas sian. Having brought forth a national regularly and Muslims have on occa- More’s Utopia. writer Soviet literature ends, but it also sion made valuable contributions to the acquires in itself the principle for its discussion (held in English.) But the “de-divinisation” of the state rebirth as Russian literature.” did not mean religious and moral Information may be obtained from neutrality. With the State making itself Dr. Khuri first pointed out that in Rus- king, above the first principles of natural sian tradition there is always grace and Dr. Edward Alam at NDU, 09.218950…5, law, the foundations of Western civilisa- joy at creation and redemption. Sol- ext. 2405 [email protected] and ed- tion have come under attack in the zhenitsyn’s final book, now published in [email protected] . realms of sexual morality, marriage and English, is bursting with joy. family. Associated websites of interest include Concerned with evil, Solzhenitsyn’s pre- the following: On Friday, 26th February, the Com- sentation of it is concrete, not as an ab- munio Circle met at the German Orien- straction, and he deals with man in the http://www.communio-icr.com/circles. tal Institute at Zqaq al-Ballat in central concrete. Russian authors are thinkers htm Beirut to hear Dr. Richard Khuri of LAU but express their thought in literature http://www.metanexus.net/globainet- give a profound insight into the back- rather than in formal philosophy of the work/societies_detail.asp?SocietyID=77 ground, personality and thought of Al- kind familiar in Western and Southern http://www.metanexus.net/institute/ exander Solzhenitsyn. His starting point Europe. There is a general faith in the was the Communio article On Solzhenit- regeneration of man. syn by Orthodox priest Father Alexander It was agreed to hold the next meeting Schmamann. on 9th April at 7 p.m.

Community Service Office (CSO)

CSO with Offre Joie

Through the Community Service Office ten cells and so had the opportunity to vided for in the near future. Through (CSO), NDU students distributed all the interact directly with women who had the CSO the University will provide a supplies furnished by the campaign in many problems to face in their lives, and sustainable framework for the activity the NDU Main Campus immediately to express their empathy for them. They of its students, who have proved time before and after the short vacation, in demonstrated how their initiative came after time their readiness and compas- collaboration with “Offre Joie” orga- within the Open Hearts Project launched sion. An important feature of the action nization. Clothes and basic needs were by NDU. is open-mindedness towards organiza- offered to six thousand prisoners held in Through the Open Hearts project, it is tions of civil society, specially NGOs, and the various Lebanese prisons. intended to enter to all the prisons in a willingness to cooperate with them. The NDU’s students went to the wom- Lebanon and especially Roumieh prison, The attached photos show the CSO team en’s prison located in Barbar el-Khazen where the infirmary and clinic were and the way they are ready to dirty their barracks in Verdun, which holds eighty restored by our students last year, and hands in a good cause. female prisoners. Our students visited where other urgent needs will be pro-

28 Issue 48 March 2010

On-Campus Banking 2010 Forum Sponsorship Office/CSO

The Sponsorship Office in the Finance Department at Notre Dame University with the collaboration of the Student Activities Office - SAO organized the On- Campus Banking Forum 2010, which was held on the 14th and 15th of January, 2010 in the Exhibition Hall. At this exciting event, organized for the first time at NDU, the banking sector A review of Lebanese currency Karla Sfeir, Jocelyne Issa, Simon Abou Jaoude and ex- in Lebanon, especially its institutions NDU students representing different banks with which the University is cooperating closely, established relations with the He introduced the major objective of NDU community as a whole (administra- this Forum especially that it was being tors, faculty members, staff members organized for the first time. He ex- and students). In this way the NDU plained that the Forum was a two-way community became better acquainted communication between the banking with banking representatives and had representatives and the NDU community the opportunity to ask them about any and expressed the hope that it would be issue related to their field such as PC organized on a yearly basis. He also en- loans, student loans, car loans, accounts, couraged all the NDU community to re- etc. For their part, the banking repre- ally benefit from this forum and obtain sentatives stressed the role of customer all the information they needed about care and answered in detail the various all subjects related to the banking sec- Zeina Sfeir (student, an old currency winner) questions put by NDU members. They tor. Ms. Karla Sfeir, Student Activities and Karla Sfeir also offered special packages during the Coordinator, also welcomed the bank exhibition such as a tombola draw (cash representatives and announced about the theme of the event especially that money), special competition, special the tombola and prizes provided old and new Lebanese currencies were souvenirs, etc. by each bank throughout the two days. posted on big posters in the Exhibition Hall to recall our Lebanese currencies. Hence the theme was based on the old Lebanese currencies and coins, so the person who showed up with an old Lebanese currency or old coin was to win L.l. 150,000 in cash.

All the NDU community participated in this competition and it was amazing to see how many people had the old cur- rency already in their pockets as a sign of good luck! Winners were as follows: Jocelyne Issa announcing the competition Jocelyne Issa, Farouk Ghoneim NDU student winner of the competition, and Credit Bank representatives. Leyla Dib, student, with L.l. 1; Adib The prize for scoring the highest number in the Play Karam, student, L.l. 1; Manuela Ange- Station game was Play Station 3, value $525 lina, staff, L.l. 1; Jocelyne Chidiac, staff, L.l. 5; Zeina Sfeir L.l. 10; Johnny The following banks participated in The banking officials also had an op- Maroun, student, one coin; Charbel the Forum: Al-Mawarid Bank, Bank portunity to introduce themselves to Tarabay, staff, five coins; Assaad Audi, Bank of Beirut, Banque Libano- the audience and to inform them about Wheibe ten coins. Francaise, BLC Bank, Byblos Bank, Credit- their special offers and about the prod- Bank, CreditLibanais, Fransabank, IBL, ucts they wished to market during the RIM Water Company participated as SGBL, Standard Chartered Bank. Forum. a sponsor during the two days of the To open proceedings, Fr. Beshara Khoury event. Moreover, booklets had been welcomed all the banking representa- In addition to the above, Ms. Jocelyne prepared that presented the advertising tives and managers taking part in the Issa, Sponsorship Coordinator, an- posters of all the banks participating, Forum and assured them of the Univer- nounced the beginning of the competi- and were distributed to all the NDU sity’s wholehearted collaboration with tion that was organized by the Sponsor- community and to the banking repre- the banking sector as a whole. ship Office. This competition related to sentatives as well. 29 STAFF Fall Spiritual Retreat

On December 12, 2009, our priests Fr. Roger Chikri and Fr. Fadi Bou-Chebl invited us to attend the semester spiritual retreat, for which we spent an unforgettable day at the Monastery of St. Theresa, Sehayleh.

Our group consisted of about 80 persons, staff and a few faculty members, and we started the day at 9:00 am with a prayer en- titled The Priest’s Prayer on Sunday Evening. It was very touch- ing because one could realize the feelings of any priest when he is left alone on a Sunday evening, spending his time by himself, appealing to God to keep him strong in his loneliness, to keep him humble and conscientious towards Jesus Christ.

Then hymns were sung, and Psalm 131 was read by the group. Later on, there was a reading from the Holy Bible, followed by a lecture about the greatness of priesthood and its difficulties. Fr. Bou-Chebl explained six points about the priest.

These were as follows: 1. The priesthood of a priest is an extension of that of Jesus Christ and derives from it. 2. The priest must not aim at pleasing everybody, for this will lead to endless difficulty and frustration. 3. The priest is responsible for his behavior. 4. The priest needs God’s support; without it he will despair and despair is a sin against the Holy Spirit. 5. People’s attitude towards God depends largely on the ex- ample given by the priest. When the priest deserves people’s respect, they will attend the liturgical offices of the Church. Otherwise, they will be turned against the Church and religion. 6. The priest needs to have an upright conscience, to avoid sin and to practice the virtues in his life.

Coffee break followed. Around 11:00 am, testimonies were given by Fr. Walid Moussa, Fr. Roger Chikri, Fr. Bechara Khoury, and Fr. Samir Ghsoub, explaining their priestly life along with their administrative tasks and the difficulties they face in their daily life. Their experience was very fruitful for us and we were impressed with their frankness. Then we started our Holy Mass and Fr. Bou-Chebl gave us his testimony and about how he suffered during his sickness, and was cured by God’s Will. After the Mass, we had a delicious lunch at the Monastery, and then headed to the newly- built Church, where we saw a splendid Nativity grotto showing the old Lebanese village and its activity.

Fadia El-Hage Dec. 20, 2009

30 Issue 48 March 2010

Barbara/Halloween at NLC Commerce and Industry On December 4th, Halloween, or rather its Lebanese Dr. Fawwaz Hamdi equivalent Barbara, was celebrated at NLC, with prizes for the most grotesque costumes. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the North in Tripoli was the subject of a talk given by Dr. Fawwaz Hamdi on December 17th in the main conference hall at Barsa campus. A comprehensive explanation was given to the students covering Business and Economics.

Fr. Samir Ghsoub and part of Dr. Hamdi’s audience. Dr. Fawzi Hamdi

NLC Christmas Mass

NLC Director Father Samir Ghsoub celebrated Christmas Mass on the Campus on December NORTH 23rd. In the congregation were administrators, staff, faculty and students, as well as members LEBANON of their families. La bûche de Noël was the cen- terpiece of a small cocktail at which all present enjoyed carols sung under the leadership of CAMPUS Father Khalil Rahmeh.

NLC School visits

On Wednesday February 3rd, Father Samir Ghsoub together with Mr.Edgar Merheb-Harb visited schools in the Akkar area. Photos by order: National Orthodox School of Cheikh- taba (director of secondary classes Mr. Hanna Nicolas) Sister Suzanne Salameh (Ecole Saint Joseph des Soeurs Basiliques) Miniara.

Earlier on Tuesday, February 2nd, they had visited Secondary schools around Batroun, starting with M.P. Antoine Zahra, Batroun, then going to the Institut Père Michel Khalifeh to meet the director Joseph Abi Saab, and ending with Notre Dame de la Délivrance to meet Soeur Marie-Celeste Sarkis at Chekka. (Photos by order)

On Friday, February 6th, 2010, visits were paid to the schools in Tripoli of the Carmelite Fathers and of the Orthodox, al-Mina.

Father Samir Ghsoub and Father Samir Ghsoub Mr. Edgard Harb with with Mr. Joseph Yarak of Mr. Chafiq Haidar of the the Carmelite School Orthodox, al-Mina

31 Continuing the tour of the Batroun area, on February 15th, 2010 Fr. Samir Ghsoub visited the Capuchin School In the first photograph he may be seen with the Principal, Father Abdallah Noufailli. Together with Mr. Edgar Harb he then visited the Batroun Official Elementary School, where he may be seen with the Principal, Mr. Youssef Hanna. He then visited Sister Georges-Marie Azar, Principal of the Maronite Holy Family Sisters’ St. Elie School. (Photos by order)

SHOUF CAMPUS

Bin Talal Institution

On the 14th of December 2009, Dr. Abdel the coexistence of the Lebanese commu- Salam Mariny, Director of the Educational nities. Knowing all this, one would not and Social Affairs Office at the El Walid feel surprised at his ever readiness to Bin Talal Humanitarian Institution, was a land a helping hand to anyone, without guest at NDU-SC where he talked about favoritism or discrimination. the humanitarian role played by the The institution has been active since institution. 1980. Its contributions are equally dis- This institution was founded by His Ex- tributed among the Lebanese regions cellency El Walid Bin Talal, a well known and communities, targeting institutions philanthropist, who believes in uncondi- rather than individuals. The assistance tional giving. His Lebanese citizenship, covers fields such as education, health, in addition to his Saudi nationality, has community development and society had great effect on his life due to the improvement. great heritage and patriotic beliefs his Dr. Abdel Salam Mariny explains the inspiration of H.E. grandfather Riad El Soleh instilled in The event was organized by the SAO El Walid Bin Talal him. Moreover, he strongly believes in and the PR Office at NDU-SC.

Shouf Acquaintance Party

It’s the annual traditional acquaintance party! The program started with the welcoming speech of Fr. Boutros Get off your seats and on your feet! Bou Nassif, Director, who expressed his happiness at seeing all For where else can new students learn about NDU the smiling faces; he wished everyone a prosperous year. Then And their fellow students meet? the Student Cabinet representative, Mr. Bassil Bou Nasreddine, Where else can faculty and staff let down their barriers, addressed the crowd and extended a helping hand to any new And dance all night to the beat? student who needed it. After the words, the program pro- Where else can everyone enjoy a lovely meal, ceeded as planned uninterrupted. While they chat, giggle and each other greet? It is worth mentioning that the sky that night was beautiful Where else can it be really cold outside, while inside and starry, typical of the Deir El Qamar gorgeous autumn We’d bask glowing in the warmth of friendship and the nights! sizzling heat? It’s the event that no one should miss, A night that is so special none other can beat!

The acquaintance party at NDU-SC took place on Friday, November 20, 2009 in the student lounge. It was organized by Br. Abdo Sleiman, SAO Assistant Director, with the help of the Music Club. The turn up this year was very impressive mostly because many alumni took this opportunity to drop by and relive the good old days!

32 Issue 48 March 2010 Social

Obituaries

Abdo Youssef Mhanna

Abdo Youssef Mhanna, father of Joseph Mhanna, Acting Head of the Serials Department and of the Evening Services Depart- ment of the NDU Library, and father-in-law of Charla Chebl Mhanna, Head of the Cataloguing Department, passed away on the morning of Thursday, 4th February, 2010.

The funeral was held on Friday, 5th February, 2010, at Wardieh Church, Zouk Mosbeh, at 3.30 p.m. Head Librarian Leslie Hage says, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Joseph, Charla and the rest of the Mhanna family on this sad occasion.”

Births

On December 2, 2209, The Division of Computer Services announced with joy the birth on Friday, No- vember 27 of Marc Rechdan, son of Nathalie Kallassy Rechdan, Application Analyst and Developer, Main Campus.It is worth mentioning that the sky that night was beautiful and starry, typical of the Deir El Qamar gorgeous autumn nights!

33 Opinion and Culture

The Murder of English

On National Geographic TV Channel, issue). Words should be used with community or individual in full formal a woman prison officer talked to some a clear and precise meaning. This is and official communion with the Pope violent young criminals about their need where the study of classical languages and See of Rome, whether of Western for “identifying your anger issues”. such as Latin comes in useful. (Latin) or Eastern rite. British people Could these young street gangsters pos- use the expression Roman Catholic to sibly understand what she said? Could Common mistake: The preposition distinguish themselves clearly from those she understand what she said? Perhaps on should not be used after the verb “High Church” Anglicans (U.S. Episcopa- she meant “Know why you’re angry.” to stress, only after the noun. E.g., He lians) who call themselves Anglo-Catho- Presumably the officer had picked up stressed the importance of doing… lics. Official interpreters often make this this senseless jargon from some univer- But – He laid stress on the importance mistake when translating documents. sity course. of doing…

We may note here that the word issue Beware! In English Roman Catholic K.J.M is being overworked and abused. does NOT mean the same as the Ara- Correctly, it means number of a periodical, bic expression Room Kathuleek, which a distribution (an issue of rations), out- should be translated as Greek (Melkite) come or discussion (as in the point at Catholic. Roman Catholic refers to any

Night of the Ad Eaters Advertising & Marketing students attend Night of the Ad Eaters

“If anything is in existence today that only came into exis- tence because of you – that’s a creative act.” - Pat James, Professor in Creativity, Jung Center Altamonte Springs, Florida

Advertising and Marketing students in the class of ADM Jerome Maalouf 352 (Advertising Creativity and Copywriting) instructed by Ms. Sandra Younes were advised to watch and participate in On Saturday, November7th, 2009, the the event taking place yearly in Lebanon, The Night of the Ad opening took place at the UNESCO of Eaters. This event aims at motivating students in developing the famous Lebanese event, The Night a more creative and challenging spirit as is required in the real of the Ad Eaters. It was the first time world of advertising. that I had attended, so I was not a little excited. My friends and I prepared Night of the Ad Eaters by Jean-Marie Boursicot was screened ourselves and met beforehand so as to on November 118th at UNESCO Palace. This film is a compila- go as a group, for we did not know our tion of creative commercials and advertisements from all over exact destination and wanted to leave the world showing the best work from sixty different countries. home early in case we lost our way. In The event gave Lebanese-based businesses an opportunity to fact we did get lost, but not for long as present products ranging from food and beverages to news- we finally saw a poster which pointed papers. Two students from the class were chosen to profit out the direction of the event. from this great experience. As we entered the hall I became aware of the vast number of people who were present. Furthermore, there were dif- ferent

34 Issue 48 March 2010

companies acting as sponsors and giving of the earth as we know it and even away samples of their products. Dunkin’ the animals will give up and tend to Donuts for example were giving away commit suicide. This had an impact on free coffee with their donuts and Sky me because of the way that the ad was Vodka was giving out samples of its developed, its sad mood making me vodka. realize the effects of global warming on the earth if we do not deal with the At 8 p.m., after everybody had settled problem. down, the show began. Up to this moment I had not really believed that I really enjoyed the experience; it was a I would ever see such a marathon of most delightful one and I will definitely successful spot ads, something that I had attend next year. never experienced before. Ads began to flow in from different countries for dif- (Slightly edited. – K.J.M.) ferent products such as hair tonic, food- stuffs and clothes, while some treated questions such as global warming and child abuse. Amali Ayoubi Although most of the ads were creative The night was in many ways a magical and interesting, I recall two which had one, for it opened my eyes to the many a real impact on me. One was about different ways of communicating key road safety in Lebanon and the other messages about man’s end, abuse of about global warming awareness. The women, sexual abuse of children, free- first promoted Kunhadi’s road safety dom of speech and suchlike questions. The monotheistic religions unite in campaign, showing a fast Mitsubishi car It made everybody in the hall feel that condemning the taking of human life with slides giving information about the their “voice” or signature could make a except to defend one’s own or that of power of its engine and about its trans- difference. For me personally, the event others against an aggressor. Belief in mission, with finally the picture of an was an emotional roller-coaster, making a personal God leads to respect for the ass! It then said that irresponsible driv- me feel happy, sad, amused, sympa- human person. One can easily imagine ing kills and showed the road mortality thetic, angry and excited in turn.. I may how a family tired of caring for an el- rate in Lebanon. I thought it effective surely say that it has changed the way I derly member, or a public health service because it showed us the real situation look at advertising and the presentation short of funds, might bring pressure in Lebanon and the risks people really of everything from canned foods to to bear on an invalid to sign his or her face on the roads due to reckless driving. human rights to the world as they affect own death warrant, particularly if the my future career. relatives are in debt and the patient The second ad was about global warm- rich! ing and its effects on the environment, Kunto Sangmo showed highly effec- including its animals. The ad showed tive use of non-verbal communication Hard cases make bad laws. Abortion three animals, a monkey, a polar bear in a creative way. This ad deals with was originally proposed where there and a kangaroo, each in a different the question of the “humane” ending was a real threat to the mother’s life. setting affected by global warming, the of life; a maid enters to clean the floor Now in certain American states there is monkey in Africa sitting on a bleached of a room and disturbs a dying woman “late term abortion”; this means doctors and dying tree, the polar bear sitting who is speechless and motionless. The may kill a baby a few moments before on the ledge of an iceberg, and the ad states that the last moment in life its birth simply because the mother says kangaroo in Australia where the trees should be more beautiful and adds, she is not “emotionally prepared” to and general environment looked dead.. “Donate now for a human end.” With have the child. This is despite the fact The monkey then committed suicide its display of a very sad situation, the ad that babies are proved to be aware of by hanging itself on the tree, the polar really disturbed me and brought a new sounds long before the end of pregnan- bear jumped off the cliff ledge to kill perspective to my way of thinking. cy as after birth their mother’s voice is itself and the kangaroo jumped on the already familiar to them and reassuring. railway and waited for a train to run it Edited.- K.J.M. The above text about a In Lebanon we have, thank God, doctors over. At the end, the ad said that if we film promoting mercy killing, euthana- who generally respect the moral law give up, they will give up; this means sia, shows how technical skill may be but around the world not all scientists that if we give up trying to solve global used with effect, but emotions should are immune to financial pressures. So warming, this will lead to the destruction not cloud one’s judgment. beware of euthanasia!

35 A Press Release The English Translation of Ar-Rihaniyyaat

Ameen Rihani in New York

The English Translation of Ameen Rihani’s Arabic editions of Ar-Rihaniyyaat nor in 7- A lecture by Professor Boris Chukov book Ar-Rihaniyyaat is published by the other translations of this remarkable on Rihani and Ar-Rihaniyyaat at the Rus- Platform International, Washington, literary work. sian Education Academy in Moscow, May D.C., U.S.A. The translation is com- 21, 2010. This event will include selected pleted by Dr. Rula Zuheir Baalbaki, from readings from Ar-Rihaniyyaat in Arabic the American and Russian. University of Beirut, English Department, 8- Publishing of Rihani’s Arabic collection and reviewed by Dr. Amal Saleeby Malek, of essays that were printed in the migration from Notre Dame University-Louaize, newspapers of New York and other North Lebanon, Education, English and Transla- and South American cities and were the tion Department. The book comes in prelude for Ar-Rihaniyyaat. The Book 535 pages, with chamois paper and is entitled Kashkoul-lul Khawater (The distinguished colored hard cover. This Patchwork of Ideas); it is edited and publication appeared in celebration Luxury presentation of the book introduced by Mr. Jean Dayeh, and will of Ar-Rihaniyyaat Centennial, which be issued in early October 2010. includes several literary and intellectual The Centennial festivities of Ar-Rihani- events in Lebanon, Australia, Russia, and 9- An International Literary Conference yyaat during 2010 will include: the United States of America. about Ar-Rihaniyyaat that will be orga-

1- Publishing of the English translation nized at St. Joseph University, Faculty of In the introduction, the translator of Ar-Rihaniyyaat under the title of The Letters and Humanities, in Beirut (USJ), mentioned that “…[T]he difficulties of Rihani Essays by Platform International, October 22-23, 2010, with the partici- controlling the ‘tempo of the style’ of Washington, D.C., February 2010. pation of scholars from universities in Lebanon and overseas (the program of Rihani’s writing were one feature of 2- Planting a Cedar tree in the Rihani the conference will be announced in working on [this translation]. The range Museum gardens, in Freike, Lebanon, due time). and cadences of the expressions used February 20, 2010. therein to flatter or criticize the looks or 10- An International Symposium on 3- Inaugurating the exhibition on mannerisms of typical men and women Rihani and Ar-Rihaniyyaat that will “Ar-Rihaniyyaat in a Hundred Years” on in Arab society presented a problem in take place at the University of Sydney, March 6, 2010, in the Rihani Museum translating these expressions into Eng- Australia, organized by the Faculty of Main Hall. The exhibition will remain lish without ‘craving’ to generalize, sum- Humanities. The Symposium opens on open till September 30, 2010. marize, and simplify...” In another part November 24th, Rihani’s birthday, and of the introduction Baalbaki says: “The 4- Literary-musical recital "World Genius closes on November 26, 2010. Scholars timelessness of Rihani’s ideas was [an of Romantism" (Amin ar-Rihani - poet from Australia, Lebanon, U.K., Russia, incentive] for the translators to contend of prose), Maria Nikolaeva and Yelena and U.S.A. will participate in the sym- with developing a certain insight into Draginda, Pasternak Library, Moscow, posium (the program of the symposium what the final version of a certain text March 26, 2010. will be announced in due time). would look like.” 5- Publishing of the book The Politics and 11- A lecture/panel on Rihani and Ar- Poetics of Ameen Rihani: The Humanist Rihaniyyaat at Maryland University in One of the characteristics of this transla- Ideology of an Arab-American Intellectual the United States of America, December tion is the inclusion of specific footnotes and Activist, by Professor Nijmeh Hajjar. 3, 2010. This activity is organized by the relating Ar-Rihaniyyaat with other Ara- London: I. B. Tauris Publishers, April 2010. School of Social and Behavioral Sciences bic and English works of Rihani; it also 6- Defending the Ph.D. dissertation at the University. include a thematic index categorizing presented by Mrs. Mariam Hashimi, the essays into their philosophic, liter- under the supervision of Professor Wajih 12- “Rihani and Ar-Rihaniyyaat, Facts ary, political, and social aspects. These Fanous, by mid April, at the Islamic and Figures”, a statistical power point factors enrich this publication, especially University, Beirut, Lebanon. The title of on CD will be issued by the end of that they are included neither in the the Dissertation is: “The Great City in December 22, 2010, and will include the Rihani’s work Ar-Rihaniyyaat”. total Program of the Centennial events.

36 Issue 48 March 2010

Father Beshara Abou-Mrad Another holy monk of Lebanon Fadia el-Hage

Ameen Rihani in New York

Father Beshara Abou-Mrad’s reputation for heroic sanctity rests on his life of total self- denial, strict monastic observance, prayer by day and all through the night, and his utter devotion to the faithful in his charge however remote and inaccessible their homes. Father Beshara Abou-Mrad

Monastery of Our Lady, 45 minutes’ walk from St. Savior’s, where Father Beshara did his noviciate. Behind is the ravine of the river Awali.

The Church of St. Savior’s Monastery (17240, where Father Beshara is buried

On May 1853, Salim Jabbour Abou-Mrad was born in Zahleh, On December 2nd, 1993, the file was sent to the Congrega- and was baptized on June 28 of the same year. tion for Saints’ Causes, and on March 18, 1994, the previous On September 5th, 1874, he went to St. Savior’s Monastery, procedure was admitted as correct.. Joun (Shouf), and on November 4th, 1876, took monastic April 22, 1994, Fr. Daniel Olse of the Order of Preachers (Do- vows. minicans) was assigned with Fr. Aftimos Skaff to prepare the On December 26th, 1883, he was ordained by Bishop Bustros cause of Fr. Beshara with particular reference to his sanctity, Hajjar, taking the name in religion of Beshara. way of life and exercise of the theological and monastic vir- 1883-1890, he was superior at the seminary at St. Savior’s. tues to a heroic degree. 1891-1922, he was charged with the school at Deir Al-Qamar, On May 6th, 1998, the file was submitted to the Secretariat of and served the villages of the area for 31 years. the Congregation of Saints’ Causes. Between December 4th, 1922, and February 1st, 1927, he During 2008-2009, a film was produced by the Salvatorian served as parish priest of Sidon. Order about Fr. Beshara Abou-Mrad called Siraj Al-Wadi (The On February 2nd, 1927, he went back to St. Savior’s Monastery Light of the Valley) which was projected in public cinemas near Joun. starting November 2009. On February 22nd, 1930, at 6:30 a.m., he passed away and was On December 18th, 2009, the cause of Father Beshara was ac- buried in a special tomb in the great church of the monastery. cepted by the Vatican for him to be proclaimed Venerable. On June 8th, 1983, the Congregation of Saints in Rome autho- During his life and after his death, he performed several rized submission of the file of Father Beshara for the opening miracles. of his cause. On August 6th, 1984, the cause of his beatification was Further information may be obtained from St. Savior’s opened in the Church of St. Savior. Monastery, 07/975064 and 07/975065. On November 26th, 1993, his file was officially confirmed in the Sidon archdiocese.

37 Lebanon Lebanon – A Country without a Nation? Introduction to Political Science Class of Dr. Dany Ghsoub, Sonia Fahs

A Nation is a body of people who share a nation, there should be a government a real or imagined common history, present, but its formation depends on culture, language or ethnic origin. how “distructed” that government is.

From what I have read and from the So there is a nation and there is a thoughts I have shared with other stu- government – even though “distructed”, dents, Lebanon is of course a nation that one does exist. And we certainly have at fits the above description and defini- least two, if not more, political nations. If tion. The point is whether Lebanon is a anything, so far as structure is concerned, multi-national country or one nation. If Lebanon is not a country without a the former, how many nations are there nation but a country of several political and according to what norm do they nations. conform (or split)? But when it comes to the basic elements What is clear about Lebanon is that it is such as food, language and cultural tra- very politically and sectorily active, with ditions, Lebanon is indeed one nation. many political nations. For there to be

Lebanon: A History of Violence? Class: History of Lebanon and M.E., Marina Chaghoury

Throughout its existence, Lebanon has But no matter what it was, we should suffered from a history packed with always use our past to learn from our violence, civil wars, conflicts, invasions, mistakes. To arrange things now, we revolutions, occupations and interfer- should restore dialogue and diplomacy ence. But what are the reasons for all as ways to resolve conflicts, have educa- this violence? We can find a number tional reforms, disarm militias and adopt of answers, such as the existence of dif- a new political system – some kind of ferent religious groups, lack of national liberal dictatorship? All we can hope agreement, wars of influence, ethnic for is that one day our grandchildren groups with a feeling of being re- will open a history book and read that pressed, self-interest rather than public Lebanon finally came under the rule of interest, political hierarchy, the posses- Lebanon. Our liberty is our weapon and sion of guns other than by the Army, with it we can attain all our goals. multiplicity of political parties, and fi- nally an Army too weak. With dialogue, tolerance and class interest, we might have avoided all this bloodshed.

38 Issue 48 March 2010

From Hatred to Reconciliation The Work of UMAM in Lebanon By Adriana Boudiwan, sophomore FPSPAD Francesca Hbayter, sophomore FPSPAD

After watching the movie “The Imam civil wars and on topics of relevance. It & the Pastor”, which illustrates the carries out fieldwork and does research reconciliation process that took place into past events of violence and other between the two conflicting religious similar contemporary events that have groups, Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, threatened the civil peace. the idea of Lebanese reconciliation came to our mind. Although the 1975 Lebanese Second we asked, what does UMAM Civil War has ended, hatred is still present look for when researching and docu- among the various conflicting parties menting? and religions. This affects Lebanon UMAM researches civil war to accumu- negatively. The only way to move on is late and make accessible information to undergo an effective reconciliation not only about the past but also about process. The question is how can Lebanon the present. Transitional justice is one of achieve such reconciliation after a the main themes that UMAM works on; bloody war? it believes that there should be a process that deals with past violations including In order to obtain a closer look on how prosecution, for perpetrators providing reconciliation can be done, an interview reasons of accountability, not blame, was done with Dr. Sevag Kechichian, since the culture of impunity in Lebanon a member of the UMAM organization leads to a divided society that reproduc- ( HYPERLINK "http://www.umam-dr. es the past. UMAM also believes there org/" http://www.UMAM-dr.org/). He is should be reparations for victims. Some a staff researcher at this Lebanese NGO of the other themes that UMAM works and teaches two courses at the FPSPAD on are collective memory, identity, mass on a regular basis. Assaad Chaftari, graves, the ones disappeared, and many who spoke at The Imam and the Pastor, similar issues that fall under the topic of He is also acts as a partner through the works closely with UMAM. transitional justice. organizations he is involved with.”

First, we asked what is UMAM, how did After the screening at NDU, Mr. Assaad Finally, the last important question is, it start, and what does it focus on? Chaftari, one of the main participants do the transition process and reconcilia- UMAM started as an organization with in the 1975 war, who had previously tion help in stopping the young genera- non-profit status in 2002-2003, and it publicly apologized for all his actions tion from going into another civil war? became an official NGO in 2004-2005 during the civil conflict, spoke about Mr. Kechichian said: “UMAM provides after receiving its official recognition his experience. What Mr. Chaftari did is people with in-depth and inclusive infor- from the Ministry of the Interior. It is a step forward to achieve better, more mation about the past. Better knowl- located in Haret Hreik, the southern part honest reconciliation. His act of reconcil- edge doesn’t necessarily imply the new of Beirut. UMAM concentrates on the iation is important to UMAM’s work. We generation will not use violence, but themes of collective memory and transi- asked Dr. Kechichian about how UMAM in the absence of it, violence will most tional justice by intentionally revisiting is related to Mr. Chaftari. He said: probably reoccur.” Lebanon's violent past since the strategy “UMAM thinks that Mr. Assaad Chaftari At the end, remember, “Advancing is of “closing the files” has failed. has been a unique experience since he not by rectifying what has just already was the first to release a public apology, happened, but by moving on to what Today, Lebanon urgently needs to which was published in 2000 in Al- will occur next.” (Saying of Gibran Khalil begin the tasks of truth-seeking and Hayat. He is active in civil society and is translated from Arabic) public truth-telling. UMAM works on brave enough to sit with the families of cultural activities, such as exhibitions, his victims and ask for forgiveness. Mr. For more information about UMAM, workshops, and film screenings, which Chaftari is involved with UMAM in many please contact Dr. Sevag Kechichian, are followed by discussions. It is also an projects, being an active member and HYPERLINK "mailto:sevkech@gmail. archival center that collects and makes participant in the workshops, follow- com" [email protected] or visit HY- accessible oral history, “grey literature” up committee, oral history projects and PERLINK "http://www.UMAM-dr.org" and rare manuscripts on the Lebanese interviews. www.UMAM-dr.org . 39 The Initiative of Change By Fadia Habib and Georges Ghaly, FPSPAD An interview with Mr. Assaad Chaftari

Since the beginning of humanity, conflicts during the wars in Lebanon. He published to the Lebanese citizens. Also, they should have risen between individuals and an apology to all the Lebanese people, on the other hand forgive those who groups. Conflicts begin with the egoistic especially those whom he harmed, and offended them.” When we asked about need to achieve personal aims. In the Old visited some of their families. the reason behind the fact that no one Testament, Cain killed his brother Abel out has yet done a similar act he answered, An interview with Assaad Chaftari, was of jealousy. Many say that the focus of the “Unfortunately the situation in Lebanon is held after the screening of the movie The story was really about the development of very chaotic. Everybody believes they were Imam and the Pastor. Chaftari claimed one form of civilization to another; about right and don’t see a necessity for an he was now realizing the danger of his nomadic shepherding being overcome, so apology. They believe what they did dur- former actions on this generation and it could have been said as follows: "Now, ing the civil war was the right action, even society, after he noticed his son showing children, today's lesson is about Cain kill- a noble one.” extremist characteristics. Chaftari knew ing Abel, a story which we can all relate to Assaad Chaftari indicates that apology, that it was time for change. During the in our own time.” This story is about how forgiveness and this initiation of change, war, in his internal exile to Zahle, he joined some people feel threatened or intimidat- reformed the image of the Christians. Moral Re-Armament, through which he ed by the advance of civilization, and by After all, this action reflects the true Chris- implemented his apology and forgiveness. being threatened, they intend to defend tian belief, principles, and life style. Chaftari says that no one forced him to themselves through violence. He adds that the inter-confessional participate in the war; at the time every- dialogue is an important step to change, Organizations developed in order to thing seemed reasonable, right, and even but it is not enough because the solution prevent conflicts between civilizations and necessary. Christians felt threatened by the should be a human and moral change, not groups that resort to hostility as a per- Muslims and had to protect their rights based on a cleric’s or mufti’s control. sonal defense or even to reach personal as human beings and citizens. Due to When he was asked about the difficulty interest. One of the main international external manipulation and the general at- he faced, he answered that the most dif- organizations in this field is The Initiative mosphere which was dominated by rancor ficult step was to convince himself that the of Change (IofC), formerly known as Moral and hatred, Christians found themselves initiative to change individually is a true Re-Armament (MRA). It is an organization acting violently in “self defense”. At the noble act. The second difficult step is to founded by American Christian leader time, it seemed the only possible way. Be- convince his surroundings that it is an act Frank Buchman, who believed that con- ing a patriotic young man, Assad Chaftari of strength and not weakness. flicts, as well as individual problems, like played a major part in the war and acted alcoholism and drug addiction, can be violently, but was not pressured to do so, He added, “every conflict, religious or solved individually through self-initiative as he points out. His aim was to protect. ideological, even personal that we face can to change. Today, he sees and admits the mistakes of be solved in a calm reasonable way through his ways. dialogue and negotiations. After all, the key The IofC (or MRA as it is still called in the to general change is individual change.” Middle East) is a diverse global network, When asked about the way he implement- committed to building trust across the ed his apology and forgiveness, he an- Assad Chaftari did what the bravest could world's divides. It is composed by people swered that it is very simple process that not do. He apologized with a loud hon- of many cultures, nations, beliefs, and doesn’t need any supernatural powers. est voice in front of the whole world. He backgrounds who are committed to trans- The proverbial 1000 mile journey began admits his mistakes, and is working every forming society through changes within with the first step, by personally visiting day on compensation. It is one brave act the individuals themselves, beginning in the “enemies” of the war and apologizing of an individual to hold responsibility their own lives. for the damage that he was a part of. He for a war that millions have engraved in feels a large responsibility towards those Lebanese history. It is one step in the 1000 In Lebanon, between 1975 and 1990, a mile journey. Making a mistake is easy but series of destructive civil wars divided the people due to the fact that he played a very important role, directly and indirectly, admitting it and compensating for it is the Lebanese society into two parties based on hard part. Forgiveness and tolerance are religion, Christians and Muslims. as a leader in the killings and kidnappings of many victims, many of whom remain necessary characteristics for every citizen Assaad Chaftari was a major officer in the to transform our society from a hostile Lebanese Forces, the main militia of the with an unknown destiny to this day as we speak. environment to a peaceful one. After all, Christian group. Assaad Chaftari served as who can speak better about this than a a senior intelligence official of the Chris- Assaad Chaftari explained that the act man who was exposed to many attempts tian militia, Chaftari was a close associate of apology, though an individual act, is a of assassinations by people close to him? of HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/ very important step that contributes to In closing, Assaad Chaftari maintains: wiki/Elie_Hobeika" \o "Elie Hobeika"Elie the solution of the “Lebanese long-lasting “Nothing is impossible and the solution Hobeika. problem”. “Everyone should repent for is very simple: you have to be an honest In February 2000, Chaftari went public and their war crimes and atrocious actions. loving person with non- egocentric, pure openly took responsibility for his actions They should apologize to their victims and intentions.”

http://www.iofc.org/fuller-history 40 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assaad_Chaftari Issue 48 March 2010

The Imam and the Pastor Moral Re-Armament Visit NDU Shereen Mahshi, FPSPAD

On Wednesday 18 November 2009, just and the Muslims. Praying times for both English Professor at NDU, s poke about two days before the NDU Student Union religions are respected and each group her personal experience in the civil war, Elections, the Student Affairs Office (SAO) waits for the other. A peace declaration how her parents and she got caught in the and Adyan ( HYPERLINK "http://www. was signed on August 22, 2002. wrong place at the wrong time back then adyanvillage.net/" http://www.adyanvil- and she was injured in her knee, which lage.net/), with the support of the Club for After the viewing of the movie we met lead to her leg not growing anymore. International Relations (CIR), presented a with Mr. Assad Chaftari, who fought with She related that her putting an identity to movie by the name of The Imam and The the Lebanese Forces during the civil war the people behind such events had helped Pastor. The movie tells a true story which and was responsible for many killings her overcome this phase and come to took place in the 1990s in Kaduna, Nigeria, and bombings. Not long ago he went on peace with herself and situation. Later she when there was a civil war between the national Lebanese TV and apologized to was cured after several operations. Muslims led by Imam Muhammad Ashafa all who fight in the war and he sought for- This heart-touching experience was and the Christians led by Pastor James giveness. Mr. Chaftari shared his story with emotional and it showed us how the war Wuye. The Pastor joined the Christian mi- us, how he used to hold a gun and go to could affect many innocent people. The litia in the 80’s and during the war he lost war and kill whoever was on the other side movie itself encouraged the thought his hand. The Imam and the Pastor were of the battlefield. He told us how he got of a Christian-Muslim society living in invited to meet together to make truce involved in Moral Re-Armament (MRA), peace and working together for a better and with time they became friends. Now now called Initiatives of Change (IofC) world. This campaign led by “Initiatives of the two men have become co-directors of during the civil wars in Lebanon. IofC is an Change” should continue to raise aware- the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Mediation organization that invites people to change ness in hope that Nigeria, Lebanon, and Center in their city ,leading task forces to their lives in order to become themselves a other conflict-ridden countries around resolve conflicts across the country and force of change in society. the globe can finally live in peace by the throughout the world. In their trips there When it was time for open questions and people in them first working on personal is respect and trust between the Christians discussion, Dr. Mary Angela Willis, an change themselves.

Some very bad days… How far to go? A Good Friday thought There are some days, some very bad days, by Janet Bassil There are some days when birds refuse to chirp, Some days when the sun seems black, Some days when the air is thick, At the end of the year we are probably more aware Days when it pains to smile… than ever of how quickly the minutes, days and years On days like that of our life flit past. The time remaining to us is Your luck can change shrinking continuously. With laughing children Or giggling girls, How long do we still have? None of us knows. Or, perhaps, the voice of a stranger… Should that not be a spur for us to prepare for the solemn encounter with the Judge before whom we Bad days are the worst of days, must give account for our lives? He himself urges us, They come, they go, they leave their marks, “Prepare to meet your God.” But stay, don’t leave yet, for you never know What it’s like to get a break on days like that… How can we do so? It is through ensuring that we anticipate the Judgment by acknowledging before Anonymous God that we are sinners and accepting his forgiveness. Psychology Program This is the salvation that Jesus Christ obtained for us by his Cross at Calvary.

41 New Artist at NDU 12th February, 2010 Album cover by Edwin Albert R. Semaan Edwin signing his Album

Every now and then, we come across knowledge and awareness of his poten- one of those exceptionally talented individ- tial as a musical individual. His acquain- uals aspiring to change the musical world. tance with great musical minds provided Every now and then, we are shocked to him with deep experiences and opened find out that our society is so rich in young many prospects for the young artist to talents which are hard to ignore or to show off his talents; let’s face it, ”when repress despite the constant pressure that you got it flaunt it” (Beyonce Knowles) we all undergo. Here’s my own experience and he has right to do so, since for almost with a unique person whom I have had the an hour, he charmed his audience and honor of befriending not so long ago. swayed them into a state of near ecstasy solely using his tremendously strong vocal I was recently invited by some of my cords ranging almost three octaves and friends to attend a concert at Notre-Dame even able to reach higher notes covering University, entitled “Back to Oldies” (June the soprano register. Remembering what 3,2008). At first, I was skeptical especially the list of songs was, I recall “My Way” that I, personally, cannot bear listening to for the great Frank Sinatra, “It’s Now or amateurs murdering beautiful masterpiec- Never” for the King of Rock and Roll Elvis es and making their composers (dead or Presley as well as other classic songs for alive) turn in their graves. So I went there Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Feyrouz, just for the sake of listening to those songs The Beatles, Dalida, and that’s just one which we never seem to get bored with. part of the great masterpiece that I have numerous occasions, taking part in con- As I stepped into the campus, I caught a witnessed on the NDU campus. Note that tests such as karaoke competitions, achiev- glimpse of the poster which was original this concert was his debut as a solo artist in ing first place in the summer of 2007. and really appealing; arresting colors, the musical domain, so anyone who might glossy black background with an abstract have been there will surely be taken by Throughout my days with Edwin, I have sort of picture showing random people Edwin’s imposing presence on stage and come to know him more and though most dancing. It all reminded me of the 60s, 70s his charisma, which show both generosity people would think my judgment subjec- and 80s epoch which was rich in intense and commitment to the music business. tive, I can assure you that I am being as music, outstanding artists and high-end objective as I can be since he is such an products. The music started and a tall Edwin’s musical achievements can only be enjoyable person to be with, not only young man in a suit appeared on stage. paralleled by his academic ones and so we because he possesses intellect and humor, Each musician in the band seemed to be come to discuss his university life on the but because he’s an active person both in working in synchronization with his peers, NDU campus as a graphics and animation his social and university life: ask any of his thus creating a rich and appealing harmo- student. Let’s just say that he has gradu- fellow students about his accomplishments ny of sounds. I was impressed but waited ated top of his 2009 class with honor and on campus both as a student and later as impatiently to hear the lead singer. And distinction in a fiercely competitive field. President of the Scouts Club during the there it was, I couldn’t believe my ears; old However, this story doesn’t just stop 2007-2008 scholastic years. songs made new, a new voice so fluid and here since the young artist integrated his strong filled the stage vibrating the core graphic and animation skills to boost his His latest news include the signature of his of every attendee. Well, that’s the least we musical career, making posters, flyers and debut Christmas album entitled Gift For can say about that young man and trust suchlike to enhance his presence within All, which took place on the NDU cam- me, here is some information concerning his community, making his performances pus after a brief performance of some of the star of the show; Edwin Lattouf. even more pleasurable with incredible the songs from the album. This great CD, high quality 3D animations. Therefore we which I have had the honor of acquiring, Obviously, his childhood was filled with can say that he belongs to the perfection- isn’t the product of music amateurs, as music and singing for he had been part of ist type of artists who are totally dedicated a matter of fact; it joins together great the NDU choir since he was five years old, to perfect themselves as they go along names such as Joseph Khalife, Jihad worked on his voice, extended his musical the tough road of performing arts; a Zeidan, Marc Bou Naoum and so on. So in knowledge and implemented his not-so- single look at the poster, which he himself a few words, you’re getting a high quality limited comprehension of the mystery of has designed, will tell you that he is an and a high-end product from a very talent- music in order to gain the respect of his eclectic, free spirit seeking to perform on ed artist. Another important point to men- teachers. After the discovery of his talent, an ever expanding scale while keeping the tion is that Edwin is his own producer and or better said “talents” (emphasizing same high standards just as others lower manager, so in many ways he’s organizing the “s” of the plural form), he was musi- them down. his schedule, writing some songs, rendering cally educated by the elite teachers of the 3D animations, designing covers and post- DCE’s school of music (Division of Continu- Edwin’s activities are diverse and the rising ers and working on a 3D video clip which, it ing Education) thus gaining a greater star is always on the move, performing on is hoped, will be released very soon.

42 Issue 48 March 2010

Something for your Grey Matter

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Crossword Answers to crossword in issue 47

Across: 1. Scientific activity 6. Serpent with fangs 8. Even 9. Precious stone Across: 1. Crack 5. A.D. 6. Earliest 12. Well above ground 15. Beams from AUB 16. Dishonour 18. Muslim dignitary 10. Manner 13. Ant 14. Potentate 19. Light transport vehicle 20. Egyptian sun god 21. Californian town (initials) 16. Rig 17. Ur 18. Septic 19. Start 22. Ear 23. Agar 25. Raptures 28. No 29. 22. Before (poetic) 23. For example (initials 24. State of matter 26. Comfort Hop 31. Lag 32. NGO 33. Pin 28. High-pitched male voice 30. Give new form 33. Loses colour 34. Integument 34. Uganda 36. Taper 40. Lore 36. Was sore, painful 39. Like a needle, but with a head instead of an eye 41. Potential 42. Ask 40. Tax for use of a road or bridge 41. Poem 42. Small salamander 43. Sudden Down: 1. Campuses 2. Aunt 3. Keen 4. Set noise 5. Attic 7. Art 8. Late 9. Inept 11. Aorta 12. Near 15. Asp 16. Ring 20. Arrogant 21. Tap 23. Ash 24. Aspires 26. Tuna 27. Riot 28. Nag 30. Opera 31. Lump 35. Den 37. Down: 1. Activity of a student 2. Night before 3. Stories continued weekly All 38. Po 39. Pi 4. Unsolved mystery or problem 5. Sanctity 6. Beer 7. Corridor 10. Cooking utensil 11. Lop-sided 13. Indefinite article 14. Deep affection 17. Spoil Vocabulary 20. Decided; answered 25. Butchered intestines 27. Preposition 29. Wound Give the name for a group or large number 30. Rough-surfaced tool for smoothing 31. Backbone 32. Ancient Chinese of the following: dynasty 35. Relatives 36. Mountain pasture 37. Short jump 38. Animal’s retreat Fish 2. Flying insects 3. Starlings 4. Geese 5. Lions 6.wolves 7. Wales 8.cattle 9. Eggs 10. Cups and saucers

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