Once again, and after CONTENTS roughly a year, NDU Spirit finds itself before the A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT challenge renewal. So here it is, adorned in colors and ACADEMIC AFFAIRS aesthetically enhanced, as a means and as motivation to 3 About Father Walid probe further in its 4 Appointments and Reappointments structural, contextual and thematic persona, which 5 Admissions in aims at going in par with 4 Mexican Embassy, Action – Dr. Elham Cervantes Institute Hasham NDU’s mission of and NDU development and change. The Editor 9 NDU and Madonna Libraries – Leslie Alter Hage | December 2005 | | issue 35

NDU Spirit A periodical about ACADEMIC AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES campus life at Notre Dame University - Louaïze.

| Tel: (09) 218950 - Ext.: 2477 | | Fax: (09) 224803 | Email: [email protected] 10 UNESCO-NDU Teaching Workshop | www.ndu.edu.lb/newsandevents/nduspirit 11 WEERC Conferences 15 LERC Activities 17 Diabetes Awareness Nutrition Conference | | Editor-iin-CChief Georges Mghames 19 A Visit to Roumieh – SBS Department OPINION AND CULTURE 19 Visit to the University of Utah | | English Editor 20 Advertising Club and AAA Kenneth Mortimer 21 North Campus News 54 The Paradise 23 NDU and Astronomy – Dr. Roger Hajjar of Kartaba – Dr. | | Translation Tanos G. Hage Valérie Aoun 28 PLEA Architectural | | Reporting Conference – Ghada Mouawad Habib Melki 59 Genetically Modified Food – Wassim E. Beaineh | | Arabic Typing Home is not enough! – K.J. Mortimer 61 Lydia Zgheïb 64 Père Léonard Melki, martyr libanais 67 Carl Gustav Jung – Saleem Baradhy | | Photographers 71 United Colors – Serena Irani Abdo Bejjani- Rodney Eid 72 PLEA Conference – Saro Kenedirjian 40 Faculty of Political Science, Diplomacy 73 The Big Bang Theory | | Layout & design and Public Administration – Samer Charabati Technopub 49 Political Visitors 78 Nobel Prize for Pinter 49 NDU Iftar 79 Something for your grey matter | | Print 49 Ciné Club 50 From the Sports Office Meouchy & Zakaria 52 Christmas 53 Social | | A Word from the President

A Word from the President Rev. Fr. Walid Moussa

n that day, only On that day, all understandings changed change, the change of a few knew and they were open to truth beyond human paradigms. That is our O about him, the level. The change brought new ones and challenge! That is our one who was to enriched the old. On that day, our limited openness to the future! be born. On that day, only a capacity became open to the Infinite… Faith few knew about his real and acceptance led to the “glory of God in If Mary had not believed… If identity. They knew! But the highest" and to “peace to His people on Joseph had not believed… If were they able to earth". On that day, steadfast faith they had not believed, what understand!? The question discussed, wondered and doubted. All would have happened? was “How could this paradigms of faith were not anymore happen?" The answer to inflexible! That day has always been this question was “Nothing repeating itself… but the is impossible." On that day, It was a new era, it was the beginning of a circumstances have always the impossible became new time, but rather it was the fullness of been different… That day possible, the supernatural time, the time of openness to faith, and has arrived at NDU, and it became natural, the divine willingness to change of all paradigms. This is here! It is calling on your became human, the mind change cannot but be rewarded. Believe, faith and courage. was challenged, and reason accept, and go on… It is the time of “I am was incapable. On that day, the maid of the Lord; let it be the way it only faith had the right should be…" It is the time of the “nothing is | | MERRY approach to know and impossible". CHRISTMAS understand the mystery. AND HAPPY I have all faith in NDU's potentials, I believe NEW YEAR in the impossible, knowing that it will be 2006 possible. I have needed all faith and courage to accept what is the will from above. I have all faith that removes fear, I am not afraid! That is the truth I want others to share with me; understand the mystery of being at NDU and share its richness. The richness of renewal! Let us put our daily life at the disposal of the new, the new era, the era of

| page 2| | issue 35 Rev. Fr. Walid Moussa 2005-2006

2006

He has had the following past appointments:

| | Director of the English Section, N.D.-Louaize About Father Walid College, 2002-2005. | | Director of Administration, It is with great pleasure that NDU Spirit announces the nomination of Father Notre Dame University, Walid Moussa as President of Notre Dame University, Louaize. Below we present Lebanon, 1999-2002. some information about his life and achievements. | | Part-time Assistant Father Moussa was born in Wadi Bnehlay, Shouf, Lebanon, on October 3rd, 1966, Professor of Cultural and has both Lebanese and Italian citizenship. He entered the Maronite Order of Studies, Notre Dame the Blessed Virgin Mary (OMM) in 1984 and was ordained priest in 1990. He is University, 1996-2005. fluent in Arabic, Italian, English and French and has done studies in Syriac, Greek and Latin. | | Financial Assistant, Seminary of the Maronite Father Moussa obtained BAs in Philosophy and Sacred Theology at the St. John Order of the Blessed Virgin Lateran University, Rome, in 1987 and 1990 respectively, followed by an MA in Mary, Sehayle, Lebanon, Ecumenical Theology in 1993 at the Aquinas in Rome and an MSA in Business 1996-1997. Administration at Madonna University, Michigan, USA, in 1995. These studies were crowned by an STD in Ecumenical Theology at the St. Thomas Aquinas | | Chaplain, Veteran Affairs University in Rome, followed by a Post-Doctoral in School Administration at St. Hospital, University of Joseph's, Beirut. He also has certificates in Quality Management. Michigan and St. Joseph Hospitals, 1993-1995. Father Moussa's field research has covered multicultural questions, including the exploration of strategies for an intercultural institution at N.D.-Louaize-College, | | Religious Master, Seminary and the school integration of students in difficulties. His degree dissertations have of the Maronite Order of dealt with the role of the Maronite Church for Christian unity and the Lutheran the Blessed Virgin Mary, understanding of the Lord's Supper. He became a Salzburg Seminary Fellow in Rome, 1991-1992. 2000 and has been a member of the Delta Mu Delta National Honor Society in Business Administration (USA) since 1994. In 1999 Father Moussa received the | | Pastor, Diocese of Award of Honor (Trim and Fitness Sport for All [TAFISA]) at the 16th International Montecassino, Italy, 1990- Congress in Cyprus. 1993.

A very warm welcome to our new President

| page 3| | issue 35 | | Academic Affairs

Appointments and Reappointments NDU, Mexican Embassy and The following appointments Cervantes Institute and reappointments were announced on 27th September, 2005: On November 24th, 2005, an agreement of cooperation was | | Fr. Boutros Tarabay signed between NDU President Presidential Counselor Father Walid Moussa, the | | Fr. Samir Ghsoub Ambassador of Mexico H.E. Director of Finance Arturo Puente and the Director | | Fr. Roger Chikri of the Cervantes Institute in Director of Administration Lebanon Señor José Manuel | | Fr. Jean Abou Chrouch Delgado de Luce for a Special Presidential programme allowing the Representative at NDU-NLC training of NDU students in the H.E. Arturo Punte, signs the agreement | | Fr. Boutros Bou Nassif Embassy during each semester Special Presidential Representative at NDU-SC and their introduction to diplomatic work and its rules. In Mexican students of Lebanese origin | | Fr. Bechara Khoury Associate Director of SAO addition, they will receive a scholarship coming to the session to learn the | | Fr. Khalil Rahme to learn Spanish at the Cervantes Arabic language. Director, School of Music and Institute. University Choir In his turn, Ambassador Arturo Puente | | Fr. Fadi Bou Chebel Present at the signing ceremony were insisted on the strong relations binding University Chaplain General the NDU Vice President for Research Mexico and Lebanon, adding that this | | Fr. George Darwiche and Development Dr. Ameen Rihani, new agreement would help NDU Associate Director of the Vice President for Academic Affairs students in diplomatic practice as well Administration for Construction Dr. George Eid, the Director General as teaching them the Spanish | | Fr. Elie Sfeir for Public Relations Mr. Suheil Matar, language. It would give them an Associate Director of the Dean of the Faculty of Business opportunity to faces the challenges of Administration for General Administration Dr. Elie Yashoui, the competition in the future and Services First Secretary of the Embassy Señor strengthen the mission of Notre Dame | | Fr. Adib Ghossain Tonatiuh Romero and the Attaché for University locally and worldwide. The Associate Director of Culture and Commerce Señor Javier Embassy was strongly attached to this Administration for Maintenance Gongora. association and happy to cooperate | | Fr. Abdo Antoun with the University for giving the Manuscript Editor, Office of SRD Father Moussa expressed his thanks students ever more potential. | | Fr. Abdo Sleiman and appreciation to Ambassador Punte, Assistant Director for University Services, NDU-SC and also to the Embassy for its support The Director of the Cervantes Institute | | Fr. Salim El-Rajji in many fields, notably in the events Señor de Luce spoke of the importance University Chaplain, NDU-Main organised by the Lebanese Emigration of the Spanish language, which was | | Fr. Marwan El-Khoury Research Center. He said The Month of the most widely spoken after English. University Chaplain, NDU-Main Back to the Roots organised by the | | Fr. Mounir Fakhry University and the Maronite League Finally, Father Moussa presented the University Chaplain, NDU-NLC every year was an indication of the Ambassador and de Luce with the | | Fr. Nabil Raffoul efforts of the University to strengthen encyclopedia The Virgin Mary in University Chaplain, NDU-SC and affirm relations between Lebanon Lebanon published by Notre Dame and Mexico, for which it received University.

| page 4| | issue 35 Admissions In Action 2005-2006

large. We start once again to visit schools for orientation, to participate in school forums and educational fairs, to Admissions In Action! maintain our contacts with educational institutions, in Dr. Elham Hasham, Lebanon and abroad, and to Director of Admissions enhance the image of NDU. Among these contacts and events are the annual Dubai At the beginning of this academic year directly on the international or global Educational Exhibition; the 2005-2006, I would like to wish scene” (Jean-Pierre Lemasson). This is National Apostolate of institutions around the world exactly what Notre Dame University is Maronites (NAM) in USA; the prosperity and success in all their aiming for in an environment of College Board in USA; the endeavors. The Admissions Office has intense competition. NDU is preparing European Association of started its annual ritual of orientation its beneficiaries to think in both a International Education (EAIE) and recruitment both locally and global and a differentiated context, to and the American Association internationally. Our international take a more cosmopolitan view and to of Collegiate Registrars and student body is rich with diversity of be more aware of cultural differences Admissions Officers (AACRAO). religions, cultures and backgrounds and to promote an open and understanding this will most definitely add a distinct mind. Today, this is even more crucial Annually, NDU participates in flavor to the overall student body of as the complexities of the world the Gulf Education and Notre Dame University. The interaction around us seem to increase Training Exhibition (GETEX): it among students results in an exchange exponentially. is the largest Education and of ideologies and perspectives for the Training Show in the Arab enrichment and enhancement of The various units at NDU offer a realm World. It is an event that is individualism. of potential collaboration so that our supported and sponsored by students are able to clearly chart their H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Without doubt, globalization is a major educational paths. Our purpose is to Zayed Al Nahyan, President of factor reshaping societies in all their create and disseminate knowledge of the United Arab Emirates; facets; thus, contributions from distant universal validity by facing up to our H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin lands are significant in our everyday responsibilities in a world in which Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- activities and determine a completely symbolic frontiers are becoming more President and Prime Minister different perspective for our local important than physical ones. of the United Arab Emirates existence. Consequently, NDU implements highly and Ruler of Dubai; and operational approaches to bridge the H.H. Sheikh Nahayan bin “Internationalization is an institutional gap between discourse and day-to-day Mabarak Al Nahayan, process that in some way internalizes practice by creating convergence Minister of Education and the concept of openness to the world between all university services and the Chancellor of UAE. in all the activities and organizational interests of our academic stakeholders. aspects of the university and that may The number of participating launch an internal transformation to The Admissions Office is totally institutions increased by 40% prepare the university to act more committed to the promotion of NDU at in 2005. There were over 350

| page 5| | issue 35 | | Academic Affairs

universities, institutions and tremendously affluent society recognizes the importance of quality education. At training organizations from the turn of every academic year, over 15,000 students graduate from high schools Lebanon, Qatar, UAE, KSA, in UAE. Priority areas of study include banking, business and management, Kuwait, Bahrain, India, communications, computer science, engineering, finance, hospitality, IT, media, Canada, Australia, France, UK, medicine, sciences and tourism. In addition, the competitive environment in the Italy, Turkey, New Zealand, Middle East has created the need for working adults and executives to focus on Germany, Greece, USA, Iran, professional education as a means to climbing the ladder of success. Thus, Switzerland, Egypt, Malta, graduate courses are highly in demand. Morocco, Malaysia, South Africa, Netherlands, Pakistan, NAFSA – The Association of International Educators – is the leading professional Ireland, Slovakia, Oman, association in the field of international education and exchange and the global Jordan, Spain, Hungary, and workplace. NAFSA sets standards of good practice; provides training, professional Seychelles. Seminars and development and networking opportunities; and advocates for international workshops are also offered education. NAFSA believes that international education advances learning and during the Fair. Attendees scholarship, builds respect among peoples, and enhances constructive leadership include academic in the global community. By nature, international education is fundamental to professionals, parents, fostering peace, security and well-being. Notre Dame University is a member of students, school counselors, NAFSA and this year in Seattle, Washington, there were over 6,800 registrants MBA seekers and from the US and 90 other countries. The workshops, seminars and numerous administrators. special events and programs I attended have renewed my commitment to international education by increasing my awareness of how taking full advantage GETEX is the Middle East’s of networking and social opportunities can raise professional development and leading student recruitment skill-building levels. Once again, the 2005 NAFSA Conference offered fresh exhibition and attracts more strategies and solutions, an innovative way of thinking, a revitalized knowledge than 20,000 visitors every and skills base and new contacts and colleagues from around the globe. year. Expatriates account for more than three-quarters of NDU was the only institution from the Middle East and this always opens the the 70 nationalities that path to more exposure. NDU’s presence and contributions were always comprise UAE’s 4 million acknowledged and on several occasions the opportunity to give a presentation population and this was offered since the theme of this year’s conference was Opening Minds to the

The Pittsburgh Friends of The Boston Friends of NDU. NDU.

Dr. Hasham at the annual NAFSA Conference in Seattle.

| page 6| | issue 35 Admissions In Action 2005-2006

Global Community. There were seminars on each of the five strands that created competitive advantage for and disseminated information to enable us to perform better: NDU.

| | Education Abroad Knowledge Community In coordination with NDU’s VP for Sponsored Research and | | International Education Leadership Knowledge Community Development, Dr. Ameen Rihani, Dr. Hasham visited | | International Student and Scholar Services Knowledge Community Boston and Pittsburgh for the purpose of establishing the | | Recruitment, Admissions, and Preparation Knowledge Community American Friends of NDU. In Boston, Monsignor Lahoud | | Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community hosted the meetings at the rectory of Our Lady of the There was the opportunity to meet the guest speakers and they also were Cedars of Lebanon. There were introduced to NDU. Robert Kagan is the director of the U.S. Leadership Project at many preparatory meetings the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Richard Riley is former and contacts made. A Governor of South Carolina and former Secretary of Education. David Broder is a committee has been launched national political correspondent reporting the political scene for the Washington chaired by Dr. Lateef Chdeid. Post. Shashi Tharoor is Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information of the United Nations and has led the Department of Public At the meeting, there were Information since 2001. many who are active and prominent members of the Again it has been a valuable and enriching experience and has instilled more community and are deeply the profound belief in internationalization and the impact it has on enthusiastic about assisting education. The professionals and events have promoted ideals and a spirit that NDU in its endeavors: serves as a foundation for fostering cross-cultural understanding through the Mrs. Rosanne Solomon, pursuit of international education and exchange. The network of skills, Mrs. Maguy Pollak, Dr. Lateef information, friends and colleagues that were gained at NAFSA, Seattle, 2005 Chdeid, Father Joseph Lahoud, affirms that international education is a profession that plays a key role in Dr. Marcelle Gerges, Mr. Tony building a more peaceful and productive global community and this is becoming a Homsi, Mr. Kokabani,

At Harvard University. Mr. Joseph Chartouni, Dr. Hasham with who is a Fulbright at Father Jim Root and Harvard University. Mrs. Michael in Pittsburgh.

| page 7| | issue 35 | | Academic Affairs

Mr. Frank Assi and raised great interest. A meeting at Mrs. Vernie Mowad, Mrs. Thereza Mr. Joseph Chartouni – an length was held with Mr. Joseph Ferris-Dukovich and Dr. Angela NDU graduate of Architecture Chartouni, NDU’s Fulbright scholar. Zondos. who is now a Fulbright scholar Mr. Chartouni was assured that NDU is at Harvard University. proud of him and he was encouraged Contacts were also made in Handouts that covered to contact the University for anything. Youngstown and Cleveland, where everything NDU has to offer, Ways in which he can promote NDU at there is a large Lebanese community, the by-laws of the AFNDU, Harvard were discussed. Joseph and arrangements were made for a objectives and mission, were stressed the importance of promoting visit in the near future. distributed to all, together the Fulbright at NDU. with NDU bags, T-shirts, caps, The Miami Chapter is another future pen sets, pins and literature. A The last destination was Pittsburgh. project and contacts were made there presentation was given and Dr. Tom Michael and his wife Martha, also. Contact was also made with there were many questions who are both great advocates of NDU, media persons of Lebanese origin and asked and answers given. All greeted us there. At Sunday liturgy, these are willing to cooperate and were thrilled and surprised to Rev. Father Jim Root acknowledged assist Notre Dame University in its learn more about NDU. During NDU’s presence and spoke highly of promotion campaign. my stay, other prominent NDU and encouraged everyone to persons were recruited – contribute whatever they could to NDU NDU and in particular the Admissions Dr. Gisele Saliba, Mr. Charbel and to urge young people to visit the Office are totally committed to the Obeid, Mrs. Fania Al Naccour institution. He offered the Mass on enhancement of the University’s image and Mr. Billy Audi. behalf of the NDU family, faculty and and specifically to academic staff. excellence. NDU has established itself The competitive advantage as a prominent academic institution of that NDU has in terms of The Pittsburgh Chapter was officially higher education in the region and being internationalized was established and Miss Theresa Michael continues to expand its web of stressed; for example, by was appointed as chairperson. Other international contacts. offering a Summer Arabic persons were approached and showed Program package and being interest in becoming Friends of NDU The secret is in our teamwork and extremely aggressive in and they are to be called in for the esprit de corps. I would like to salute marketing, promotion and next meeting. The current members are the efforts of all concerned and exposure on the local, regional Dr. Sam Hazo, Mrs. Mary Anne Hazo, particularly the staff of the Admissions and international scene, NDU Dr. Tom Michael, Mrs. Martha Office; they all continue to is meeting the challenge. Michael, Ms. Thereza Michael, demonstrate effectiveness and Dr. Jennifer Unis Sullivan, efficiency. Moreover, Harvard University was visited and meetings with the Provost and the Director of International Programs were scheduled. NDU’s programs, centers, activities, | | “ The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they affiliations, etc. were get for it, but what they become by it” (John Ruskin). presented. NDU’s competitive advantage was stressed. The | | “ It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to Arabic Program, the Microsoft entertain a thought without accepting it” (Aristotle). certification and the NGOs were stressed too and these

| page 8| | issue 35 NDU and Madonna Libraries

NDU and Madonna Libraries

Leslie Alter Hage, Director of Libraries, NDU-Louaize

The NDU Libraries are proud to September to the end of October 2005, Libraries in particular, through announce that they have initiated a working at the Madonna University presentations and personal Librarian Exchange Program with the Library in Livonia, Michigan. She also interactions. Madonna University Library (Michigan, participated in the annual conference USA). Miss Antoinette Kattoura, a of Michigan Library Association from In the future, the NDU paraprofessional cataloguing librarian October 26-28, where she had the Libraries look forward to with the NDU Libraries, is the first opportunity to meet and interact with improving the quality of their participant in what is hoped will be an professional librarians and other library collections and services by ongoing collaboration between the staff from all types of libraries developing additional Madonna University Library and the throughout Michigan and the collaborative agreements and NDU Libraries. surrounding area. Financial support for exchange programs with Miss Kattoura to participate in this American institutions and Building upon existing agreements exchange was provided by the NDU hopefully hosting American between Notre Dame University- Libraries, while on-campus housing librarians. Louaize and Madonna University, the was provided by Madonna University. objective of the Librarian Exchange program is to enhance the sharing of Miss Kattoura had the opportunity to information, knowledge and expertise, develop a better understanding of how and develop better communication and American academic libraries function understanding between Lebanese and as well as to improve her spoken American librarians. Drawing from the English language and presentation experiences of other librarian exchange skills through daily interaction with programs as documented in the Madonna University's librarians, faculty literature, we decided that a short- and students. She was actively involved term (six- to twelve-week) exchange in the daily work of the librarians and would provide the most benefit for other library staff in all areas of the both the librarians selected and the Madonna University Library, in order to institutions, while keeping the costs in gain a broad understanding of the a manageable range. work flow and the variety of services offered for the benefit of library users. The NDU Libraries selected Miss In addition, Miss Kattoura was able to Kattoura from a pool of applicants to share information about Lebanese spend two months, from early libraries in general and the NDU

| page 9| | issue 35 | | Academic and Student Activities

UNESCO-NDU Teaching Workshop

From Monday to Friday, 5th to 9th September, 2005, at the NDU Main Campus, the UNESCO Offices in Beirut and Cairo organised an interactive workshop on an Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning. Collaborating in the workshop were the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the OPEC Fund, the AGFUND and Notre Dame University.

This came within the framework of UNESCO’s efforts for vibrant and interactive pedagogical environment to building individual and organisational capacities and for stimulate learning and critical thinking had been a great bringing together education and technology. The aim challenge. To this end, Notre Dame University had was to provide young faculty members from various conducted attitudinal research on e-learning and universities within the Arab region with the knowledge experimented with new styles of pedagogy. Also, the needed to create and teach high-quality, interactive, University had established video-conferencing hubs for fully online or Web-enhanced courses. cross-cultural course teaching with US universities.

The workshop opened at 9.30 a.m. on September 5th Dr, Ramzi Salameh, Director a.i. of the UNESCO Beirut with the presence of the Lebanese Minister of Education Regional Office, explained that the conference came in the and Higher Learning Dr. Khaled Kabbani. After an framework of UNESCO efforts through its USEE programme introduction by Dr. Abdo El-Qahi of NDU, Dr. Ameen for the Arab region. He was followed by Minister Khaled Rihani, NDU Vice-President for Research and Kabanni, who insisted on the importance of the workshop Development, outlined the development in education and pointed out that thought had no limitations whether of and technology that was so effective for enabling kind, geography, politics, constitution or law. faculty members to meet the needs of students. The morning’s working session, led by Iris Stovall, NDU President Father Boutros Tarabay welcomed the covered an introduction to “Moodle”, an overview of Minister and participants and noted that the conference online instruction, its appropriateness, and an connoted a gamut of initiatives focusing on the introduction aimed at instructors. The first afternoon enhancement of teaching and education through the consisted of a critique on online course by participants infusion of Information Communication Technologies and the second a discussion on Moodle site (ICTs) into the spectrum of education and training administration led by Kevin Johnson. sectors. He pointed out that Notre Dame University, realising the importance of technology and its On Tuesday, Iris Stovall and participants concentrated on applications, had made substantial progress in upgrading models of online instruction, quality and online courses, its programmes and assuring high-quality education for and Moodle course project work. On Wednesday the two its students. Although seemingly easy, shifting the guest experts and participants turned their attention to University from the traditional mode of delivery to a the challenges and benefits of technology, the roles of the instructor, critique of an online course, and Moodle site administration. On Thursday the sessions covered free and open-source software, free software and learning objects, encouraging communications, and Moodle course project work. On Friday the subject was assessing student learning, followed by demonstration of a hands-on project and evaluation of a primer workshop. UNESCO Workshop

| page 10 | | issue 35 Water, Energy and Environment Research Center WEERC

Water Conflict Conference

In Friends’ Hall, NDU main campus, from July 13th to 15th there was a conference held jointly by UNESCO, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and the NDU Water, Energy and Environment Research Center (WEERC), in the framework of the UNESCO project From Potential Conflict to Co-operation Potential (PCCP). This Conference, entitled Conflict Resolution on Water Resources: Training Tailored to the Arab Region, was in fact a meeting of experts held with the aim of reviewing the PCCP course on conflict prevention and cooperation concerning international water resources, in particular amending and tailoring the existing course in a way adapted to the situation in the Arab region.

After words of welcome addressed to the participants by Mr. Suheil Matar, NDU Lebanese territory, demanding Director of Public Relations, Professor Dr. Jon Trondalen, Chairman of COMPASS, considerable outlay for Geneva, and of CESAR, Oslo, declared that there was a constant and increasing treatment. demand for water in the region because of the rapid growth of population and the steady social and economic development, all of which was incompatible with In the face of this complex the existing natural water resources. Dr. Trondalen stressed that disputes in the situation, the Department of region over water were hindering effective use of this resource, as well as fuelling Hydraulic and Electric political fires that had already been lit. He further insisted that conciliation and Resources of the Ministry of cooperation between countries were prerequisites for sustainable development in Energy and Water had set out the area. a ten-year strategy plan (2001-2010) with the After an address by Dr. Mohammad Abdulrazzak, UNESCO Director in Cairo, following aims: Dr. Fady Comair, Director General of the Ministry of Water and Energy Resources and Director of WEERC, spoke of the Lebanese experience in managing conflicts || On the one hand to ensure over water resources. He explained that the negotiations between Lebanon and additional water resources Syria over sharing the waters of the Orontes and Nahr el-Kabir had been based by storing surface water in mainly on two international conventions, the RIO Convention of 1996 and the UN dams as well as by Convention of 1997 on the non-navigational use of international water courses. recharging aquifers,

Unfortunately, said Dr. Comair, the Hasbani-Wazzani water management and || On the other hand to treat usage was applied only by Lebanon on the basis of the RIO and UN conventions; it waste water and re-use it by was to be hoped that one day Israel would share the vision of cooperation, global integrated water equitability and reasonable use of trans-boundary waters, particularly in the case management. of the river Jordan. He pointed out that Lebanon attached great importance to cooperation over the question of water and to finding a permanent solution, for which there must be a forecast concerning supply and demand. Development relied on this equilibrium, particularly for the dry season extending from May to November.

Dr. Comair said that there was a lack of homogeneity in the distribution of resources and that there was also large-scale karsification covering 60% of

| page 11 | | issue 35 | | Academic and Student Activities

Health Issues Workshop

On Monday, October 3rd, 2005, a nutrition workshop was held in Friends’ Hall, Main Campus, under the patronage of His Excellency Health Minister Dr. Mohammad Khalifeh. Its title was Health Issues: Obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Food Safety, and was the result of coordination between FAO, WHO, UNIDO, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Lebanese Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes, and Hayek Hospital. The event was organised by the Water, Energy and Environment Research Center (WEERC) of NDU.

The main honoured guest As food safety is nowadays a strategic public health education reduces risk of speaker was Dr. Esther Myers priority worldwide due to economic heart disease, obesity and diabetes. from the American Diabetes globalisation, freedom of exchange and Association (ADA), talking on the expanding use of technology with Participants were welcomed by NDU International Diabetes increase of food production, food Public Relations Director Mr. Suheil Outcome Study through a safety issues were also addressed in Matar and addressed by the NDU Dietetics Practice-based this workshop. It is estimated that President Father Walid Moussa. Research Network. Dr. Myers food-borne disease causes 76 million Speeches followed by Dr. Jawad referred to the collection of cases of illness, 325,000 Mahjour, WHO representative in data on outcomes from hospitalisations and 5,000 deaths each Lebanon, Dr. Cheik Sakho, Resident patients with Type 2 diabetes year in the United States alone. It was Representative of UNIDO in Lebanon, as part of the joint research reported that worldwide in the year Syria and Jordan, H.E. Dr. Abdessalam project between NDU and the 2000 2.1 million people died from Ould Ahmed, FAO Representative in ADA. The ADA selected Dr. diarrhœal diseases, largely due to Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Yaacoub Sarraf, Najat Yahia of NDU to be contaminated food and drinking-water. Minister of the Environment, and their national research In this sense, water quality plays a key H.E. Dr. Mohammad Khalifeh, coordinator in Lebanon in role in keeping people healthy and Minister of Public Health. collaboration with distinguished Lebanese dieticians, in particular Miss Maya Khoury, Miss Tania Salloum and Miss Rita Younes at Saint George’s Hospital University Medical Center, Miss Nada El-Saad at Rizk Clinic-Hospital and Miss Randa Chlala at Notre Dame de Secours University Hospital. The importance of such a project lies in the increase in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in Lebanon.

| page 12 | | issue 35 Water, Energy and Environment Research Center WEERC

Session 1 concerned nutrition-related Medical Center, spoke on Heart Disease the UNIDO Methyl Bromide disease, in particular obesity, diabetes Prevalence and Management. Alternative Project, Ministry of and heart disease. It was presided by the Environment, and New Dr. Sami Raychouni representing After mid-morning coffee break, Food Law and International Dr. Mario Aoun, respectively Vice- Session 2 dealt with nutritional issues Standards (HACCP, GMP) by President and President of the Order of in food safety. It was presided by Mr. Farid Karam, Head of Medical Doctors, with Dr. Georges H.E. Dr. Adel Cortas, former Minister Sanitary Engineering Service, Hayek, PDG of Hayek Hospital, as of Agriculture and FAO consultant, Ministry of Public Health. Reporter. Dr. Georges Saade, Director with Dr. Fadi Comair, Director of of the WHO Program of Non- WEERC/NDU, as Reporter. The subject Questions and discussion Communicable Diseases in Lebanon, of Food Safety was dealt with by followed and the workshop spoke on Non-Communicable Diseases, Mrs. Nohal Al-Homsi, WHO Lebanon was closed by Dr. Najat Yahia, Assistant Professor Coordinator of Environmental Health recommendations from the NDU and WEERC/NDU Researcher, Projects and Food Safety, Risk Analysis first session presented by Dr. spoke on Obesity Assessment and in Food Safety in Lebanon by Najat Yahia and ones from the Management, Dr. Esther Myers, Dr. Hussein Dib, Professor of Science second session presented by Director of Research, ADA, spoke on at the Lebanese University, Food Safety Dr. Fadi Comair. Participants the Dietary Management of Diabetes National Project Manager, UNIDO, the were then invited to lunch in Patients (ADA Protocol), and Contribution of the Ministry of the the NDU Restaurant. Dr. Michael Naser, Professor of Environment to Food Safety by Cardiology, American University Dr. Nada Sabra, Project Manager of

Beirut Water Week

Coming for the first time to ESCWA, the European Union West Asia, the Mediterranean through MED EUWI/GWP, the and Lebanon, the Water Week European Union Commission was held in Beirut from 14th through its Beirut delegation to 17th November, 2005, under and the above-mentioned the initiative of the Ministry Lebanese ministry. Thirty of Water and Energy in the countries from West Asia, the persons of Minister Mediterranean and Europe Mohammad Fneich and were represented by two Director General of Hydraulic hundred delegates, including and Electric Resources Dr. many senior international Fadi Comair, also Director of figures, of whom 110 were WEERC at NDU. Organisations foreign nationals. involved were the UN through

| page 13 | | issue 35 | | Academic and Student Activities

The aims were to inform about System for Sustainable Management Mediterranean would be in a very sustainable development and of Resources. grave state affecting the sanitary, water reservation policies, to economic and consequently political hold dialogue on management MEDIES (Mediterranean Education fields. He added that in its by public water authorities, to Initiative for Environment and participation in the necessary effort compare solutions adopted by Sustainability) is a component of the Europe was giving Lebanon 5 million various countries, to educate European Water Initiative. It aims at euros in 2006. the young and raise the raising awareness particularly among awareness of teachers, and to the young. Five workshops for training, Mr. Nicholas Mentzaris, representing issue recommendations involving forty teachers, were the Greek Government, pointed out appropriate to the Water organised at WEERC, NDU, on that Greece had been acting as the Decade, so named by UN Thursday, November 17th. lead country in the Mediterranean Secretary General Kofi Annan. Component of the EU Water Initiative The official opening of the WEERC took since 2002. The day’s workshop was a On November 14th, the place under the auspices of President unique opportunity to identify the Water Week culminated with Lahoud at WEERC-NDU at 4 p.m. on state-of-play in Lebanon and the the inauguration of the November 14th at the start of the meeting could also be considered as Water, Energy and Water Week. After a welcome by NDU the Inaugural Meeting of the so-called Environment Research President Father Walid Moussa, there “Country Dialogues” Process for Center, the headquarters of were speeches by Dr. Fadi Comair, Mediterranean countries in general and which are at Notre Dame H.E. Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO for Lebanon in particular. University-Louaize, by the representative in Lebanon, and the President of Lebanon General minister H.E. Mohammed Fneich. The In his Opening Ceremony speech, Emil Lahoud. WEERC 2005 Annual Award of Minister Mohammad Fneich, Excellency was presented to Professor represented by Dr. Fadi Comair, took This was followed by an Michael Scoullos, Chairman Global the opportunity to highlight the exchange of ideas between Water Partnership. Members of the importance of the European Union the President and European European Parliament then met Water Initiative Mediterranean Parliamentarians from President of Lebanon Emil Lahoud. Component. He declared that Lebanon COMPSUD. The latter also had been following this closely for the visited H.E. Mohammad This was followed by the launching of sake of implementing Integrated Water Fneich, Deputy Speaker of MEDIES in Lebanon, when there were Resources Management through the Parliament H.E. Farid Makari, speeches by Minister of Education H.E. process implemented by the Greek H.E. Prime Minister Fouad Khaled Kabbani, UNESCO Beirut Government and Professor Michael Siniora and H.E. Mohammed Regional Office Director Ramzi Salame, Scoullos. Kabbani, Head of the and Council of Europe Parliamentary Parliamentary Commission for Assembly Vice President Ms. Elsa Ms. Sylvie Detoc, DG Environment for Water, Energy and Public Papadimitriou, to mention only a few. the European Commission, spoke in Works. particular of the importance of water At the workshop at WEERC, NDU, on for drinking purposes and for the fight On November 17 there were Wednesday 16th November, against poverty and the improvement presentations and debates at Ambassador Patrick Renauld, head of of health, not forgetting agriculture. CREEN (Water and the Delegation in Lebanon of the Environment Regional Center, European Commission, said in short Further sessions followed, all indicative USJ-ESIB) on the theme and very pointed sentences that the of the role now being played by the Ground Water in Lebanon – water situation was critical as regards Water, Energy and Environment Towards an Information the future. The countries south of the Research Center of NDU.

| page 14 | | issue 35 Lebanese Emigration Research Center Activities LERC

Emigration and Remittances: The Situation in Lebanon

In response to an invitation The forum was a response to the phenomenon were represented by from the Istituto Studi of increased migration, one demanding prominent officials. These Mediterranei (ISM) of the correlation between migration and security. included the Syndicate of the Università della Svizzera International migration has been slated to top City of Lugano, the Syndicate Italiana to a conference held the agenda of international organisations and of the City of Milan, the 30th September- 1st October, of most countries around the world. In its Institutional Department of 2005, Ms Guita Hourani, official invitation, the ISM positioned the the Ticino canton, the Forum Associate Director of the context of its forum, stating that “international pour l’Intégration des Lebanese Emigration Research migrations play an ever greater role in the life Migrantes et des Migrants, the Center of NDU, gave a of contemporary societies. Migratory flows Directorate of Development presentation about the current resulting from political, economic and social and Cooperation (DSC), and Lebanese emigration and pressures are a serious challenge for the the Haut Conseil à about the volume and countries of origin as well as for the receiving l’Intégration of the French importance for the Lebanese countries. They present dangers but also offer government. Other economy of the remittances opportunities.” participants included a former sent home by Lebanese under-secretary of the State emigrants. The forum was held The forum called upon places in the Department of the United in Lugano in cooperation with Mediterranean Basin such as the Great Region States of America, the the host city and the city of of Casablanca and the cities of Athens, Mediterranean Representative Milan. Valencia, Barcelona and Milan among others to of the International share their experiences with the conferees and Organisation of Migration to present their views and their action in (IOM) and the universities of response to the imperative issues of integration, Genoa, Istanbul, Bulgaria, LERC security and quality of life. Siena, Milan, Sofia and San Diego, California. Several international organisations, government agencies and administrations, and universities The forum was a useful platform for comparing experiences, strategies and actions concerning migration, integration, security and quality of life between cities from the countries of emigration and those of the countries of immigration.

Director Dr. Athanasios Moulakis and all the staff of Guita Hourani at Lugano, fifth from the left, the ISM assured an front row. environment of dialogue,

| page 15 | | issue 35 | | Academic and Student Activities

Lebanese Migrants In Brazil: Exhibition and an Annotated Bibliography

openness and amiability, all of Lebanese Emigration Research Center (LERC) which made this event a Notre Dame University Press-Lebanon, December 20th, 2005 success.

Ms. Hourani’s presentation illustrated the volume, profile, characteristics, geographical distribution and level of education of the Lebanese LERC emigrants. She also showed Members of the audience the volume of remittances buying the book. Pharaon touring the exhibition received in Lebanon through formal channels and their In celebration of Migrant’s Day Lebanon, mostly from after his visit to importance to the economy of (December 18), the Lebanese Brazil. It also displays some of the Lebanon and to household Emigration Research Center at Notre earliest Lebanese newspapers published resources and expenditure. Dame University, Lebanon, inaugurated in Brazil and possessions of Lebanese Ms. Hourani discussed the an Exhibition on Lebanese Migrants in migrants in Brazil. socio-political impact of Brazil under the auspices of Prime emigration on Lebanon as well Minister Fuad Siniora, represented by Following welcoming speeches and an as the effect of remittances Minister of State Michel Pharaon. This address by the Minister, NDU surprised on the lives of their recipients was in conjunction with the signing by the author with an Acknowledgment and on the country as a Roberto Khatlab of his book Lebanese Award presented to him by NDU’s whole. Migrants in Brazil: An Annotated President Fr. Walid Moussa and Bibliography, published by NDU Press Minister Pharaon “for his devotion to Her audience were astonished and LERC. The opening brought the study of Lebanese migration in to learn that around nine together a number of prominent Brazil and Lebanon”. The author also hundred thousand Lebanese Brazilian and Lebanese figures and the received a letter from His Excellency left the country between 1975 authorities of NDU. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of and 2002 and that of these Brazil, wishing him success for the 45% left after the cessation of The exhibition includes photos of exhibition and the book. armed conflict, between 1991 Lebanese migrants in Brazil from the and 2002. They were even collection of Mr. Roberto Khatlab, with Then after the cutting of the ribbon, more surprised to learn that copies of letters from the Lebanese Minister Pharaon toured the exhibition Lebanon receives an average National Archives exchanged between and Mr. Khatlab signed his book. of $1.6 billion in remittances migrants and President Shamoun of on a yearly basis. The welcoming address of Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous. Ms. Hourani made several contacts with different institutions and individuals for future collaboration on the subject of migration in the Mediterranean region. Rev. Fr. Walid Moussa, and H.E. Minister Pharaon presenting the award to Mr. Roberto Khatlab.

| page 16 | | issue 35 Nutrition Conference 29-11-2005

Diabetes Awareness Day

On Tuesday, November 29, 2005, a nutrition conference was held in Friends’ Hall, Main Dr. Najat Yahia welcomed the Campus, Notre Dame University. The opening of the event was under the patronage of guest speakers and explained Rev. Father Walid Moussa, President of NDU. The title of the Nutrition conference was the main goal of this day, Diabetes Awareness, and was the result of coordination between the World Health which was to raise awareness Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Public Health, the Lebanese Society of about the seriousness of Endocrinology and Diabetes, and Hayek Hospital. The event was organized by Nutrition diabetes, since an individual students at NDU under the supervision of Dr. Najat Yahia. can have diabetes without even knowing it, and to offer The honored guest speakers were this sense, people who have no time an opportunity for people to Dr. Sami Azar, Professor of Medicine, for their health today may have no assess their risk. Educational American University of Beirut Medical health for their future time. Father awareness for diabetes is the Center, President of The Lebanese Moussa laid stress on health best prevention. Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and protection, as it is much easier to keep Lipids, Dr. Georges Saade, Director of healthy than to restore health after Session 1 concerned diabetes the WHO Program for Non- illness. Prevention of disease is much classification, Communicable Diseases in Lebanon, more effective than intervention. He pathophysiology, diagnosis Ministry of Health, Dr. George Badr, ended his speech with a blessing and and treatment. Dr. Sami Azar Professor of Endocrinology, Hayek best wishes for a successful day and defined the term diabetes as Hospital, Mrs. Nada El-Saad, Head of left the audience with the words of covering a group of metabolic Dietary Department, Rizk Clinic- Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, diseases characterized by Hospital, and Miss Randa Chlala, Head “Let your food be your medicine.” hyperglycemia resulting from of the Dietary Department, Notre Dame defects in insulin secretion, de Secours University Hospital. insulin action, or both. Chronic hyperglycemia is Participants were welcomed by NDU associated with long-term President Reverend Father Walid damage, dysfunction, and Moussa. He pointed out that being healthy is the most solid starting point for fighting disease and awareness of illness is imperative to achieve health. Good health is an advantage that people should enjoy and it is a gift to be taken care of, to be protected and Dr. George Badr, Fr. Walid Moussa defended. Therefore, health demands and Dr. Najat Yahia time and attention devoted to it. In

| page 17 | | issue 35 | | Academic and Student Activities

failure of various organs (eyes, 190 million people, or 6.3% of the comprehensive assessment, kidneys, nerves, heart and population, have diabetes and that the individualized care, monitoring and blood vessels). He explained prevalence of diabetes will increase by evaluation of the individual treatment that diabetes could be divided 72% (324 million) by year 2025. goal. Diabetes management should be into several distinct subtypes Dr. Georges Badr talked about based on a comprehensive nutrition on the basis of genetics, gestational diabetes. Gestational assessment, which includes the symptoms, and the underlying diabetes is defined as glucose individual’s self-care treatment plan disease pathology. Categories intolerance that is first diagnosed and lifestyle modification. She also of diabetes and impaired during pregnancy and it is diagnosed pointed to the Diabetic Nutrient glucose tolerance include type using a 3-hour, 100 g oral glucose Recommendations as presented by the 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, tolerance test (OGTT). High-risk American Dietetic Association. gestational diabetes, individuals should be tested as early as prediabetes and other less possible and treated to prevent Mrs. Nada El-Saad talked on diabetic common types. Type 1 affects complications. meal planning. She pointed out that 5 % to 10% of people with psychosocial and behavioral factors diabetes. Onset is generally Dr. Georges Saade spoke on primary greatly affect the achievement of before 30 years of age and and secondary prevention of diabetes diabetes self-management treatment individuals with type 1 have a and stressed the importance of lifestyle goals and the dietetic professionals genetic predisposition. Type 2 changes. He pointed out that diabetes should assess the individual’s diabetes affects 90 to 95% of is one of the most costly and willingness and readiness to change. cases of diabetes. Risk factors burdensome chronic diseases of our She stressed that behavioral change for type 2 diabetes are age time and is a condition that is therapy, motivational interviewing and (> 45 years), genetic increasing in epidemic proportions teaching materials appropriate to the predisposition (family history throughout the world. Dr. Saade individual’s learning capacity together or ethnic background), high showed that there is now substantial form a successful counseling and care calorie intake, obesity, and evidence that type 2 diabetes can be plan. sedentary lifestyle. Dr. Azar prevented or delayed. His public health pointed out that diabetes is a message to health care professionals Miss Randa Chlala spoke on healthy rapidly increasing public was to encourage individual behavior recipes and recipe modification. health concern worldwide and lifestyle changes for ensuring a healthy future prevalence rates are life. The conference was closed by free expected to increase blood glucose testing by the ABBOT dramatically. In 2003, it was Session 2 dealt with nutritional issues representative. estimated that approximately in diabetes management. Dr. Najat Yahia spoke on medical nutrition Participants were invited to open the therapy (MNT) of diabetic patients, food fair prepared by NDU Nutrition showing that MNT is the clinical students and other sponsors, where application of the Nutrition Care healthy food suitable for diabetic Process, which always involves a patients was served.

| page 18 | | issue 35 SBS Visit to Roumieh

From Social and Behavioral Sciences A Visit to Roumieh

After receiving clearance from the This took place during the month of life there due, according to Attorney appropriate NDU authorities, Senior May of the Spring semester of the Hajj, to poor funding. They were Lecturer George Hajjar took his academic year 2004-2005. The also interested to learn that some Psychology of Deviance class to visit students took with them some inmates do in fact enjoy access to the correctional facility at Roumieh. supplies that were to be donated to recreational activities, a small Prior to the actual visit, Correctional inmates in need. library, a carpentry shop, work in the Attorney Elia Hajj briefed the class kitchen, and so on. about the details of what they were The students had an opportunity to going to see and do. One of the visit nearly all the premises of the The students came away from their students, Ms. Pia Zeinoun, gave prison and so obtain a practical and visit with the satisfaction that they valuable assistance to Mr. Hajjar in realistic understanding of prison life had had a real-life experience, both arranging the scheduled visit to such as it is in Lebanon. The sobering and yet humanising. Roumieh. students were pleasantly surprised Seeing the real face of the at the very good behaviour of the correctional facility revealed to the inmates during their tour of the class both important aspects of facility. They were able to observe deviance and the realities of some of the inadequacies of prison correctional life.

Visit to the University of Utah

Mr. George Hajjar, Senior Lecturer in the NDU Faculty of Humanities as previously stated, was invited to present a paper at the conference on Middle East and Central Asia Politics, Economics and Society held by the University of Utah, USA, from 8th to 10th September, 2005.

The conference featured over one hundred Middle East scholars from around the world. Mr. Hajjar’s presentation was delivered on September 10th and was entitled An Analysis of Christian-Muslim Relations in Contemporary Lebanon. Moderator John Francis of the University of Utah half-jokingly proclaimed, “This is the most important panel of the Conference.” The Discussant, Frederick Quinn, an official of the US State Department, commented that Mr. Hajjar’s presentation was “the stuff that a good book is made of.” Afterwards, Mr. Hajjar was asked for permission for his talk to appear in a new publication to be called Democracy at Large.

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Advertising Club and AAA

On Friday December 2nd, 2005, the NDU Advertising Club and the Advertising Agencies Association (AAA), the latter represented by its General Secretary Mr. Kamal Darouni (also NDU Assistant Professor), held a seminar entitled Meet the Guru in Advertising. The event marked the launching of the AAA Students League at NDU before its extension to all other universities in Lebanon. It was attended by students in Advertising, Faculty members, Father Boulos Wehbe (SAO), and Mr. Dany Karam and Mr. Omar Nasreddine, members of the AAA Executive Committee. It should be noted here that NDU is a university accredited by the IAA.

NDU students Melhem Rechdan and Elie Zgheib were appointed as President and Vice President respectively of the AAA Student League, and students from LAU, the Lebanese University, AUST and Holy Spirit-Kaslik were approved as executive committee members with the consent of the AAA. Advertising Club President Mr. Elie Zgheib may be contacted at 03-710563.

Mr. Darouni announced that the Advertising Agencies Association had accepted the NDU Advertising Club for developing the AAA Student League and for students being able to send their CVs to the Website, on the strength of which all advertising agencies will help them in finding employment, obtaining internships or participating in workshops. Mr. Dany Karam presented the template of the Website and showed students how to interact with it.

Mr. Kamal Darouni spoke about the “fall” of Lebanon and the rise of 03-710563 Dubai, pointing however to the leading role of Lebanese advertising or associated companies. An AAA survey conducted on behalf of the British Council showed that 71% of the income of film production houses came from export, while 72% of the income of advertising agencies came from the domestic market.

Mr. Omar Nasreddine dealt with brand equity and advertising culture seen from the creative perspective. He showed some commercials and described the situation of each in terms of image, acceptance, loyalty, positioning and continuity.

| page 20 | | issue 35 As part of its cultural framework series, for a remarkable evening on Friday, June 3rd, 2005, NDU-NLC hosted Henry Zgheib, a refined literary journalist, a first-class cultural Henry Zgheib, A Poet with Sagacity critic, and most prominently a brilliant writer and poet. On his arrival at NDU-North Lebanon campus, Mr. Zgheib roamed the premises, paying particular attention to the architecture of the main building and its harmonious interior design; he expressed awareness of the yet modest scale but grandiose taste that emphasized an overwhelming atmosphere.

Henry Zgheib brought joy to his listeners by declaiming magnificent poetry read with extreme care so as not to minimize its value to the mind or its essence. The poet emphasized the impact of poetry in ancient and contemporary societies; he even mentioned great presidents inviting famous poets appointed to impact their peoples for authentic glory. He told stories from the heart and made sure his audience listened and grasped well. Henry Zgheib’s audience interacted enthusiastically, a fact which made this thoroughly enjoyable evening even more memorable.

It was an evening of sensations that were intermingled with logic and grammatical illustrations, which when properly used not only beautify but also relay the most thrilling sensational imagery in poetry. The audience agreed that Henry Zgheib is beyond all possible doubt not only a poet but also a cultural reference.

The success of this event at NDU-NLC made certain that other such encounters will follow, as the university strives for the advancement not only of professional formation, but also of the students’ general cultural development, providing them with broader intellectual assets.

| | Mr. Edgar Merheb-Harb and Mrs. Suzanne Dandan, Public Relations Dept., NDU/NLC.

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Grafik Trafik: End of Year Exhibition for Graphic Design Senior students, NLC

Grafik Trafik was the title of the Senior Year exhibition, Graphic Design Department, FAAD. The event was held on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 6 p.m. at LAS SALINAS resort, Anfeh. Mr. Edgar Harb, Public Relations at NLC, welcomed all who were invited and attending, and was followed by Ms Diane Mikhael, coordinator of Graphic Design major at NLC, who delivered a short speech; finally, graduate student Cynthia Sammour launched the theme of the exhibition.

The aim of the exhibition in the first place was to promote the graduate students’ work among professionals in the field of Graphic Design. Furthermore, it was planned to have the exhibition outside the campus to enhance the presence of Notre Dame University and the Design department, FAAD, specifically in the North market.

The students’ projects shown tackled different themes dealt with during the last three years of the major, such as awareness campaigns, corporate identities, animations and motion graphics for TV channels, local and international competitions, etc..

During the event, students had an opportunity to explain their work and to interact with the audience, who came from different sectors, such as education, government, the professions and the media, not forgetting parents and friends.

Among the audience who attended the opening of the exhibition were the President of El Mina municipality Mr. Abdel Kader Alameddine, members of parliament and government such as Minister Mohamad El Safadi, representatives from agencies and well-known newspapers, etc..

Faculty members and students from FAAD main campus were present to share with colleagues and students this special event.

| | Grafik Trafik was the first exhibition of its kind in NLC.

| | We hope to continue with such activities in the near future in order to make known our identity and to create an opportunity for our students to communicate ideas!

| | Diane Mikhael, FAAD coordinator, NLC.

| page 22 | | issue 35 Astronomy M NDU

….Lebanese astronomy, that is! And a story of origins too or a rebirth to say the least.

Dr. Roger Hajjar NDU and Astronomy W It started in 1997 when I was first invited by Dr. Georges Eid, now VP for Academic Affairs, to join the faculty as a part-timer first and finally as a full timer. I was a fresh graduate then. I actually took a week off during the Fall semester of that year to travel to Canada for my thesis defense. F

My first duties were to teach physics Here comes August ’99 and a trip to known today as the Arab courses for non-physics majors. I was Syria, to the extreme north-eastern tip Union for Astronomy and essentially a teacher of service courses, of its map, to Ain Diwar. LBCI had Space Sciences (AUASS) with to put it simply. In February 98, I kindly agreed to carry our telescopes its headquarters in Amman, became a full-timer at NDU but was, with them. And there we watched one Jordan. I also met an early during that semester, overloaded with and half minutes of totality…never to proponent of astronomy in work, being a newcomer with much be forgotten. The Club grew stronger Syria, a now retired engineer, demand from two campuses. The Shouf from that experience. an outspoken and daring was not even beginning to be dreamt personality, Mr. Fayez Foq- of yet! During that same period, I discovered a El-Adha (IOÉ©dG ¥ƒa õjÉa). That UN and ESA (European Space Agency) was the start of my Nature has it that a great opportunity sponsored professional activity whose participation in AUASS. – a God-sent gift? – happened in aim was – and still is – to offer a Through these workshops, I 1999: the famous, or should I say forum for Third World astronomers to also met one very influential dreaded, eclipse of August 11. The interact with astronomers from person, whose contribution to NDU Astronomy Club had been created industrialized countries to share Lebanese astronomy is in November 98 and this was its first research experience. This activity came invaluable. He was a French great activity! The Club participated in to be known as the UN/ESA Workshop astronomer from Observatoire Founder’s Day for that year,1999. We in Basic Space Sciences to be held in Midi-Pyrennées, François built a home-made planetarium, a 3m November in the United Arab Emirates. Querci, who was born and hemispherical metallic structure that Through these forums, I had the raised in Tunis. He kept deep we completely covered, from the inside, opportunity to meet astronomy inside a fondness for the Arab with white polystyrene panels! A 13.5- activists and professionals from around World. This led him in the hours job for four persons, destroyed at the Arab World and discovered that early nineties to propose a night with cigarette holes from an some were working hard to expand a project that came to be unknown wise guy! pan-Arab astronomy organization known as NORT (Network of

| page 23 | | issue 35 | | Academic and Student Activities

Oriental Robotic Telescope). decision of the Lebanese National document identifying a plan to develop This project planned to install Council for Scientific Research astronomy through the preparation of a series of automatic (LNCSR), which invited a number of the creation of a National Observatory telescopes around the Tropic university professors who are either equipped with a 1-m telescope. The of Cancer whose sole purpose astronomers or interested in report, drafted, corrected and finalized was the study of variable development of astronomy in Lebanon. on an NDU computer, was submitted to phenomena in stars. It was to NDU is represented by two faculty Dr. Mouin Hamze, Secretary General of cover a wide longitude range members, Dr. Bassem Sabra and the LNCSR in January 2001. Resident on or near that tropic. It was myself. François’ role started, for me at Lebanese astronomers/astrophysicists the start of his crusade (hum! least, in 2000. In fact, he had visited were only three at the time. I was the Not a good term when talking Lebanon a long time before that, only observer, that is to say the only about the Arab World) to around 1992. A visit that led to a astronomer who went to observatories convince people in our region scholarship for a Lebanese University and used instruments to collect data. of the world to be inspired by student from the North to complete a The other two, Drs. Mounib El-Eid and old Arab astronomy and to Ph.D. in astronomy. Jamal Bittar is Jihad Touma, are theoreticians who work for its revival! Was it now an LU and USJ professor and an rely on observational data. Jamal Bittar people or governments? An active member of the Task Force. I met was still completing his studies in unnecessary debate today! François through the UN/ESA workshop Toulouse, France, under the care of held in Al AlBayt University in Mafraq, François Querci. He came back in 2001 François Querci is a dear Jordan. We met again in May 2000, after successfully defending his thesis. friend and an invaluable when he visited Lebanon on an support in the quest of the invitation by the LNCSR. A series of At NDU, the astronomy club was busy Task Force for Astronomy & meetings was held there in the organizing outings to lunar and solar Astrophysics to start programs presence of Lebanese astronomers, eclipses and Mars opposition and trips of development of astronomy some Deans of Science Faculties and to other places. Our next trip will in Lebanon. The Task Force for other scientists with possible interest hopefully be to Jordan this summer; an Astronomy & Astrophysics was in the development of Space Sciences occasion to meet the extremely active created in June 2004 by a chez nous. This produced a first basic Jordanian Astronomical Society and

Explanations at 2000 W meters at Ouyoun el-Simane.

The NDU 14-inch telescope preparing to observe at Ouyoun el-Simane.

| page 24 | | issue 35 M Astronomy NDU discover new horizons. We organized a mandatory astrophysics course in its What were the pros doing series of evening talks we undergraduate physics program! during that time? Two years affectionately called AstroPizza since after the report, upon a third we always ended them with a Pizza However, our NDU club is not a first, it visit by François Querci, we fiesta! We also organized Observing is a second! Clubs started with two decided to formally start Night, when new members were seasoned amateurs in Lebanon, working on the plan outlined introduced by old members to the Mr. Adnan Tayyara and Ihsan Hafez, in that founding document. A night sky. The workhorses of these who established a club at the Beirut proposal was submitted to the events were an old-faithful 4.5-inch Arab University and convinced their LNCSR for what we call a site- Newtonian I purchased and brought administration to build a small testing project, a research back in 1999 from Canada, in time for observatory within the walls of their project to quantify the quality the eclipse, a 10-inch Newtonian built new campus in Debbiyeh, Shouf. Today, of sites on Lebanese by Dr. Ramez Maalouf and modified by this is the only functional observatory mountains and so to identify my club members, and a 70-mm in Lebanon, but the next is fast the possible location of a refractor from Dr. Michel Kreidy. I also approaching. Most recently, astronomy future observatory. The budget bought a solar filter still being used by clubs are beginning to burgeon almost for such a project, complete Astronomy students for their sunspots everywhere, thanks to the Lebanese with snowsuits, a 4x4 to carry projects. Astronomy students? Well, astronomers, to the NDU club members observers to remote locations, yes, NDU is now the only University and the fascination exerted by and small housing units is offering two astronomy courses. One of astronomy. Let me list the ones I know: beyond the capabilities of the them, AST 201, is a general course the Faculté des Sciences of USJ has LNCSR alone. It was then offered to all students of the now its club (1 year old). The Faculté decided, in agreement with University. The other, AST 210, is an des Sciences II of UL is starting one, the Council, to work towards introduction to astrophysics for physics AUT students formed a small club a the creation of a consortium students. It can be taken as a free few months ago, and some students at of institutions – universities, elective by other students provided the University of Balamand are councils – whose purpose they have a solid background in organizing themselves to start their would be to oversee the sciences, mostly physics and maths… own activities. I should not forget the funding and implementation sorry for the rest! But you can still only school club I know, at St. Joseph’s of the project. A first step was enjoy astronomy in AST 201! That School. This is an old club founded by completed with the creation reminds me of another first: NDU is the students who ended up at NDU, Ranya of the Task Force for only university in Lebanon having a and Hanane Bechara. Astronomy and Astrophysics, now the official advisory body at the LNCSR for everything astronomical!

In the meantime, another web of interactions was slowly being created. Ranya Bechara, now an NDU graduate in biology, ended up in my class of physics for Life Sciences. It happens that her father is a professor, and a very dynamic The group of the Summer School at Piste Wardeh. researcher, at the Lebanese University. One day, as I was sitting in my office, the phone

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rang. The person on the other DEA students (equivalent to M.Sc.) for Early last Fall, thanks to Fr. Roger end of the line introduced their thesis work…in astronomy! And Chickri, NDU decided to purchase a himself as Dr. Joseph that is not all. Dr. Mahmoud Korek, telescope. Based on our Bechara. This was the start of Director of the Physics Department at recommendation (Bassem’s and mine), an extremely fruitful BAU, has kindly placed their NDU purchased a 14-inch telescope. It relationship. Thanks to him, I observatory at our disposal to try to also purchased a CCD camera along have been supervising for start, in collaboration with him and with appropriate scientific filters to three years now senior others, some undergraduate research allow for research projects. If you projects of graduating projects. The Task Force obviously happen to pass by the physics lab, you students from the Lebanese includes Dr. Korek. will find in a small suitcase on one of University. This brings its benches the only science filters of manpower to ideas that In January 2004, an invitation was the Arab Middle-East! These require time and effort. I have extended to the LNCSR for a Syrian- instruments are the ones recommended discovered in Dr. Bechara an Lebanese-Jordanian joint meeting to by the Task Force for the site-testing extremely motivating and, by discuss the possibility of establishing a campaigns. USJ also purchased a the same token, motivated regional observatory. I was elected similar apparatus. The telescope was individual, eager to see secretary of the committee. received on June 30, and the CCD and science burgeoning in Subsequent meetings were held in accessories on August 2, one month Lebanon. He is a person whose Damascus, Beirut and Amman. The before the start of the Summer School dream is to create an early work done by Lebanese of Astronomy. Last fall too, Dr. Bassem interactive web of physicists astronomers served as the basis for this Sabra joined NDU as a full-time faculty collaborating and stimulating joint work group. It is refreshing to member in the Department of Sciences. each other for the sake of the note that, despite all our national We are now a mini-astronomy group, scientific development of the problems, we are still leaders in our the only astronomy group in Lebanon! nation! This meant a lot to region. We are the driving force behind me. I came back from Canada the rise of astronomy in our part of the Early September is the time of the year with a dream, that of seeing world and we intend to remain that when NDU rests between the end of one day a white dome way! one academic year and the start of standing on one of the peaks of the Lebanese mountains. I can proudly say that, thanks to Dr. Bechara, we now have a unique inter-university Closing ceremony of the Summer School. collaboration on substantial issues. Dr. Bechara is a member of the Task Force! This is obvious, isn’t it? NDU R astronomers are now supervising two senior projects with Dr. Bechara. One of them concerns the hot gas pervading the huge spaces between galaxies, the so- called WHIM. The other one studies light pollution in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. We might also be supervising two

| page 26 | | issue 35 Astronomy NDU another one, between Summer and guests, to the point that he answered Fall. Not this time! The Faculty of our calls on Sundays to help open a Natural and Applied Sciences and the door! Computer Center were busy from the M 5th to the 15th of September. Twenty- Organized by the Task Force with the seven Lebanese students of physics and Financial Support of the LCNSR, NDU, engineering from NDU, LU, AUB and the French Embassy in Lebanon and USJ along with 10 students from Syria Banque Audi, the Summer School, the and Jordan met at NDU for an first in the Arab Middle East, formed all astrophysics. The School intensive Summer School on 37 participants to the observational produced a solid team, eager Astronomy, a school whose idea started techniques of astronomy, using the to tackle the challenge of site with the decision to purchase the recently acquired NDU equipment. Ten testing. We are now at a telescopes. On the 12th of March, when instructors from France, Lebanon and crossroad. We have the the Task Force formally decided to start Jordan provided the expert lectures and instruments, the team of organizing it, we were still waiting for support. Drs. Marc Sarazin, Frederic students, and the experts. the instruments on which we were Paletou, Torsten Boehm and, of going to train the students. When course, François Querci, were the four Almost eight years ago, I came Bassem and I initiated contacts with musketeers of the school. back with a dream…A white Dr. Jean Fares, Dean of the Faculty, we Drs. Mashhoor Wardat and Hanna dome on a Lebanese were, in a way, taking a gamble since Sabat accompanied the Jordanian mountain. It is now soothing the telescopes had still not been delegation and contributed their to see many, many others shipped from the US! We won the expertise. Bassem, Jamal Bittar, sharing the same dream and Jackpot! Mounib El-Eid and I made the local working towards its ingredients of that team. realization. We have come a NDU was an excellent setting for the long way since 1997. A long school. It possessed all the necessary Ten days were spent bustling around, road still lies ahead but it is a ingredients: a dorm to host students, a making sure that all enjoyed their time more promising trip that computer center equipped with all the and came out with a solid baggage in awaits us now. hardware and software needed and, obviously, lecture halls, photocopying services, lounges, etc., but, first and foremost, administrators who believed in our project and provided all the F support needed. Dr. Jean Fares and all the staff of the Faculty gave us access to all the classrooms and facilities of the Faculty. Vicky, Danielle and Sana’a made our work run smoothly. Mr. Fawzi Baroud and the staff of the Computer Center helped with all our requests even when this required opening the center till 8:00 p.m. although the regular opening hours Lebanese and Jordanians having lunch at the Summer School. end at 3:00 p.m.! Warm thanks are due to Fr. Roger Chikri, who stitched all the parts together to make sure that NDU offered the best hospitality to its

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Hosted by Notre Dame University NDU, Co organized by the Faculty of Architecture, Art & Design, FAAD in conjunction with PLEA International PLEA 2005 NDU - Lebanon

Under the patronage of His Excellency Yaacoub Sarraf - Minister of Environment, represented by Mr. Girgis Berbari, the Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design (FAAD), at Notre Dame University (NDU), Zouk Mosbeh - Lebanon, in collaboration with PLEA International (www.plea-arch.org), hosted the International Conference PLEA 2005 (Passive and Low Energy Architecture), from the 13th -17th of November 2005. The Conference attracted a diverse assembly of professionals, academicians and students from all over the world. Attending the opening ceremony were His Excellency the Minister of the Displaced Mr. Nehne Tohme, Deputy Mr. Nabil Bostani, President of NDU Rev. Fr. Walid Moussa, former President of NDU, Rev. Fr. Boutros Tarabay, members of the Board of Trustees, Fr. Roger Chikri – Director of Administration, Fr. Samir Ghsoub – Director of Finance, Dr. George Eid – VP Academic Affairs, Dr. Ameen Rihani – VP Sponsored Research & Development, Mr. Suheil Matar – Director General - Public Relations, Deans, Directors, Invited guests, Faculty members, staff and students.

| page 28 | | issue 35 PLEA NDU - LEBANON 13-17/11/2005 Themes | | 01. Low Energy Architecture | | 02. Sustainable Urban Design and Planning | | 03. Comfort in Outdoor Urban Spaces | | 04. Innovative Low Energy Technologies | | 05. Materials and building Following the Lebanese National Anthem Dr. Assaad Eid - Dean of techniques FAAD - opened the conference by stressing the importance of PLEA 2005 | | 06. Recycled Architecture: as being an international outreach from NDU exploring a sustainable Re-use, Upgrading and future with the exchange of expertise with forty foreign countries on the Rehabilitation of Buildings subject of Passive Low Energy Architecture. He added that Lebanon is at | | 07. Computer Simulation the crossroads in its history and faces future challenges in finding Tools alternative means of sustaining its environment and social needs. He | | 08. Vernacular Architecture: commended the past and present NDU administrations and all who Sustainability Lessons from the supported this event. Mr. Habib Melki – Chairman PLEA 2005 - followed Past by focusing on the current global concern for the preservation of the | | 09. Case Studies environment. He continued by emphasizing that NDU would be an | | 10. Education and appropriate platform in Lebanon as well as in the Middle East for the Technology Transfer pursuit of research into environment-oriented and energy-conscious | | 11. Decision Making and design in Architecture and Town Planning. Fertile ground exists for the Strategies for Action elaboration of such research and for the follow-up and development of | | 12. Reflections on adequate policies and strategies for application and implementation. Rev. Sustainability Fr. Walid Moussa elaborated on the importance of the architect’s role in shaping our future environment and the challenges of applying new technologies in developing societies in the 21st Century. President of PLEA, Dr. Koen Steemers, followed and presented an overview of PLEA International. He quoted Prof. Steve Szokolay as saying about PLEA:

| | “It has no formal structure. It lives by the dedication of individuals. Its main activity is the organisation of annual conferences… bringing together of knowledge, Dr. Assaad Eid, Dean FAAD thoughts and findings.” Mr. Habib Melki, Chairman PLEA 2005

And finally Mr. Girgis Berbari pointed to the problem of energy consumption in its impact on energy resources as well as the existing conflicts on the global scale. He concluded by saying that Lebanon also has its share of responsibilities towards the creation of an energy- efficient and sustainable future. In his conclusion he cited the various projects currently being developed in Lebanon.

The event took place at Le Royal Hotel – Debbayeh, where a series of three parallel sessions covered a wide range of subjects under the theme: Rev. Fr. Walid “Environmental Sustainability: The Challenge of Awareness in Developing Moussa, NDU President Societies”. Dr. Koen Steemers, PLEA President

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Planning for this event started in Toulouse, France while Aram Yeretzian and Habib Melki were attending PLEA 2002 and materialized in March 2004 with the official announcement that NDU would host the 22nd PLEA Conference in 2005 after being selected from among other major universities in Lebanon. Its realization was possible only with the continuous help and support of former and present NDU administration, faculty, staff and students of the FAAD and the guidance of the Directors of PLEA International.

International Advisory Technical Committee Organizing Committee Committee | | Jean Bouillot, Paris, France | | Habib Melki Chairman, PLEA 2005, | | Koen Steemers, President of | | Paula Cadima, Portugal NDU, Architecture, FAAD PLEA. | | Raphael Compagnon, Ecole d’ingénieurs | | Dana Raydan, PLEA Board | | John Ballinger, Solar et d’architectes de Fribourg, France Representative in Lebanon Efficient Architecture. Australia. | | Martin Evans, Facultad de | | Jean-Pierre El Asmar, NDU, | | John Martin Evans, Arquitettura, University of Buenos Aires, Architecture, FAAD Universidad de Buenos Aires. Argentina | | Andre Bechara, NDU, Design, FAAD Argentina. | | Brian Ford, University of Nottingham, | | Chadi Bteich, NDU, FAAD | | Brian Ford, University of UK | | Linda Selwood Choueiri, NDU, Design, Nottingham, UK | | Nesreen Ghaddar, American FAAD | | André De Herde, Université University of Beirut, Lebanon | | Graziella Daghfal, NDU, Design, FAAD Catholique de Louvain. Louvain Andre de Herde, University of Louvain-la- | | Nicolas Gabriel, NDU, Architecture, la Neuve. Belgium. Neuve, Belgium FAAD | | Thomas Herzog, Technische | | Daria El Khoury, Lebanon | | Robert Haddad, NDU, Design, FAAD Universität of München. | | Matilda El Khoury, Lebanon | | Jocelyne Issa, NDU, Public Relations Germany. | | Habib Melki, Notre Dame University, Coordinator | | Yuichiro Kodama, Vice- Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design, | | John Kortbawi, NDU, Design, FAAD President of PLEA, Kobe Design Lebanon | | Nadim Matta, NDU, Design, FAAD University. | | Fernando O.R. Pereira, Universidade | | Diane Mikhael, NDU, Design, FAAD Fernando O.R. Pereira, Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil | | Jessica Saba, Secretariat, PLEA 2005 Universidade Federal de Santa | | Dana Raydan, RMJM London Ltd, | | Robert Saliba, NDU, Architecture, Catarina. Brazil. Cambridge, UK FAAD | | Donald Watson, Rensselaer | | Hans Rosenlund, University of Lund, | | Aram Yeretzian, Prime Design - Order Polytechnic University. USA. Sweden of Engineers & Architects Simos Yannas, Architectural | | Robert Saliba, Notre Dame University, | | Danielle Zaccour, NDU, Fine Arts, Association. UK. Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design, FAAD Lebanon | | Matheos Santamouris, University of Athens, Greece | | Miguel Sattler, Departamento de Engenharia Civil/UFRGS, Brazil | | Koen Steemers, University of Cambridge, UK | | Ahmad Taki, Incorporating Leicester Mr. Girgis Berbari - School of Architecture, UK representing the Minister | | Jaafar Toukan, Jaafar Toukan & of Environment, Partners, Jordan Mr Yaacoub Sarraf | | Simon Yannas, Architectural Association, UK | | Aram Yeretzian, Prime Design, PLEA Director Lebanon Prof. Andre de Herde

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Comments by the Organizing Committee members As for the organization, it was Attending conferences abroad somehow made it clear to us that it is going to be said by one of the organizers hard work. At times, the work seemed too much to handle, keeping in mind that of PLEA 2006: “It is going to all the members in the organizing committee had their academic responsibilities be impossible to compete with to maintain but we managed to not only pull it through but proved to have done PLEA 2005 Lebanon.” almost a perfect job in setting, scheduling, organizing all the conference, starting from the reception shifts at the airport until the last day where we made sure Graziella Daghfal, Organizing that everybody did their check-out and were ready to return home. Committee PLEA 2005, Lebanon The day-tour was a great idea because most of them did not have the slightest idea about what, who and where Lebanon is. The workshop did give the attendees PLEA was a wonderful a different vision of Lebanon and I am sure being exposed to such a variety in experience. culture, contrast in architecture and wonderful landscape diversity, that we To bring people from all over managed to summarise for them in the brief time they spent here, made them the world together to this decide to visit Lebanon soon and that is what I have personally heard from many little problem-filled country of them. was a great encouragement to us. PLEA 2005 Organizing Committee To me the quality of the people was an inspiration; people who can look above their everyday problems and work towards easing some of the serious problems we face in a creative manner. Technical I am sure this conference will Committee Prof. change the way I teach in the Hans Rosenlund future for the better.

Linda Selwood Choueiri PLEA 2005 organizing committee member

PLEA Directors and Associates (from left): Mario Cuccinella, Willi Weber, Miguel Sattler, Paula Cadima, Fernando Pereira, Koen Steemers, Simos Yannas, Alexandros Tombazis, Ken-ichi Kimura

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Joseph Campbell said once: PLEA 2005 has been a very enriching Challenge of awareness in Developing “In mythology, an invisible experience, since this international Countries is the topic of the PLEA 2005 plane supports the visible event offered the opportunity of international conference. The paper I plane.” This is how the overall corresponding, establishing contacts presented considered the issue of PLEA committee members and meeting people from all over the Changing Attitudes in Lebanon towards were acting and working to world. Sustainable Practice. The strategies I make the event a real success. introduced to achieve this purpose did The flow of the work, the Appreciation, felicitations, compliments not consider the spirit of teamwork as organization and the audience and gratitude of the participants an important issue. However this issue response were a perfect during the conference were a complete was experimented by the organizing interaction to witness a satisfaction after such hard work! committee, leading to the success of unique event with a unique the conference. team. Well done! Jessica Saba, Secretariat, PLEA 2005 PLEA 2005 organizing committee member Jean-Pierre El Asmar, PLEA 2005 Diane Mikhael, organizing committee member Instructor/ Design Department I believe that PLEA 2005 has dual FAAD/ NDU importance and value. The first Being part of the PLEA 2005 organizing PLEA 2005 organizing committee importance is plotting FAAD NDU on committee has been a very rewarding member the international level of the academic experience. The team effort provided map. The second importance is mainly by the design dept, to make a PLEA 2005, Lebanon was one reflected on me as an organizing success of this conference has proved of the few moments where committee member; it enriches my to be efficient. The international Lebanon (in this case FAAD - experience and skills to better handle audience presence and their feedback NDU) joined the academic tasks for lectures and conferences are the best testimony of the success global community without organization. of PLEA 2005. The overall feedback is only being a spectator. Not rather positive. only was FAAD able to Chadi Bteich, NDU, FAAD organize and host but also to PLEA 2005 organizing committee member Nadim Matta, NDU, Design, FAAD participate and produce. PLEA 2005 organizing committee member It is somehow a source of pride to each one of us.

Nicolas Gabriel, NDU, Architecture, FAAD PLEA 2005 organizing committee member

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Commitment and joint effort made “Awareness” in this conference had a November 14 – Day 2: PLEA International Conference a real two-fold objective: first on the | | Opening Ceremony success. Now I can proudly say: national and regional scale targeting Plenary session: keynote ‘Experience is the only Teacher.’ architects, urban planners, civil and and invited speakers mechanical engineers, health John Kortbawi, NDU, Design, FAAD specialists, economists, legislators and PLEA 2005 organizing committee member other governmental agencies, in an effort to elaborate strategies and PLEA 2005 has represented a golden policies leading to relevant objectives opportunity to place NDU and Lebanon and desired goals. And second, on the on the international cultural arena. international scale so participants may Events such as PLEA 2005 should be grasp the true image of Lebanon in all encouraged at NDU as they represent its potentials by presenting an ideal catalysts in the process of informative and diverse program: evolution and growth towards achieving the ultimate goal for any November 13 - Day 1: Keynote Speaker: higher education establishment in | | Tour – Baalbeck, Thoughts and Deeds becoming a universal environment for Beiteddine and Deir El-Qamar Alexandros N. Tombazis global cultural and academic exchange.

Danielle Zaccour, NDU, Fine Arts, FAAD PLEA 2005 organizing committee member

Invited Speakers: Coastal, Mid-Mountain, Mountain & Plateau: Micro-climates & Architectures in Lebanon Jean Bouillot

Charles Hostler Student Center, American University of Beirut: an Environment Friendly Project (a Case Study) Elie Ibrahim, Barbanel Liban s.a.l.

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November 15 – Day 3: | | Plenary session: keynote and invited speakers

Keynote Speaker: Urban Spectacles: Socio-Cultural Sustainability & Commodification in Arab Cities Yasser Elsheshtawy NDU visit Invited Speakers: Form and Microclimate: Spatial Confinement and Heat in the Urban Patio Paula Cadima

Energy Conservation and Efficiency in Lebanon Anwar Ali, Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation Project (LCECP)

SOLIDERE Presentation and visit to Downtown Beirut Presentation by Angus Gavin, Solidere on Beirut Central District Site visit to Solidere offices and to Beirut Central District

Formal Banquet Dinner

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November 16 – Day 4: PLEA 2005 Best Paper | | Plenary session: keynote and invited speakers Awards: z Maria Cristina Munari Probst Paper # P266-t04 Keynote Speaker: Title “Integration and formal The Optimality of the Built Environment development of solar thermal Rifat Chadirji collectors”

Keynote Speaker: Invited Speaker: z Heide Shuster Interview by Nicola Leonardi Education for Sustainable Paper # P103-t04 Director of «The Plan» Architecture Title “Temotion - an Mario Cucinella Simos Yannas interdisciplinary development of a decentralized and modular façade system”

PLEA 2005 Best Student Poster Award: z Antonio Reyes Melognio and Sonia Afonso Paper # P276-t01 Title “Vaga-Lume Small Farm Closing Ceremony – Rancho Queimado – Santa Catarina – Brazil: a frame of PLEA 2005 Achievement Award reference for perma-culture Achievement Award: Mr. Jacques Liger-Belair and eco-villages” He has French and Lebanese nationality. In 1961, he returned from New Delhi to Lebanon where he settled. Co-founder and principal of the successful architecture practice Atelier des Architectes Associés (1980). He is a local architect, urban planner, expert in Lebanese architecture-heritage and artist. He researched, designed and published a very rich repertory of schemes and projects with the constant concern of preserving our heritage, protecting the environment, adapting the climate and making use of natural resources, insuring indoor comfort.

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PLEA 2005 Best Poster Student competition prize award Award: Two MENTIONS were issued to the following students for their efforts and z Lokman Hakim Ismail and contribution as well as a cash prize of $950 each: Magda Sibley Paper # P073-t08 z Ms. Giulia Vanni - University of Florence, Italy Title “An Evaluation of z Mr. Hisham Dalleh- Notre Dame University, Lebanon Bioclimatic Skyscrapers in Malaysia to Show Their Effect on User Satisfaction and Closing Session Attendee’s Energy Utilization in a Tropical Climate”

PLEA 2006 Announcement

PLEA 2006 Authors from NDU: Geneva, PLEA 2005 Switzerland z Dr. Michel Hayek 6-8 Title “The Sustainability of Lebanese Stone-Built September Old Houses as Revealed by Modern Advanced 2006 Numerical Methods” Paper # P126-t07

z Ms. Danielle Zaccour Title “Lebanese Vernacular House Models, A Source of Inspiration for Sustainable Passive and Low-energy Architecture” Paper # P326-t08

z Mr. Jean-Pierre El Asmar Title “Sustainability: changing attitudes in Lebanon” PLEA 2006 Paper # P071-t12 Organizer Prof. Willi Weber z Linda Selwood Choueiri Title “Teaching with Awareness” Paper # P317-t10

z Aram Yeretzian Title “An assessment method for residential buildings in Beirut” Paper # P340-t11

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The hosting of PLEA at NDU – November 17 – Day 5: Lebanon should not stop here | | The HAMMAM Workshop - Tripoli, Lebanon but serve as an incentive for further development of the Workshop Session – NDU, NLC Barsa academic as well as the z the hammam concept, structure, materials, functions, thermo-dynamic, practical implementation of sociology, urban integration; Passive Low Energy z state, use, re-use, future in the human and city context”; Architecture. A combination of z pannel discussion. environmental awareness and resource availability are the Contributions: only means to produce a z Heidi Dumreicher/Magda Sibley: modern and energy-efficient “The hammam as a social and architectural value”; ecosystem.

z Richard S. Levine: Finally, it is our hope that “Sustainability oriented urban design”; NDU will be instrumental in generating a sharper z Jean Bouillot: awareness of the importance “The hammam building: of this topic. If all this is microclimates through a climate” achieved, NDU could aspire to new horizons as a leader in developing concepts and methods for sustainable architecture. Architecture Tripoli Tour graduates from this university would be exposed to the most recent trends in design similar to programs they could acquire in leading universities worldwide. It could become a regional center that offers consultation and provides workshops in energy-efficient architecture. It could become NDU, NLC Barsa a resource center which organizes international conferences and seminars to disseminate information. It would also attract international scholars interested in further investigation of this subject. Hopefully NDU will maintain a determination to pursue this mission.

| | Habib Melki, Chairman PLEA 2005

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Special thanks to our sponsors Proceedings (listed below), the student A compilation of all researched papers that were submitted in the PLEA 2005 ushers and the technical team conference is published in two volumes entitled: who supported us throughout the conference: Environmental Sustainability: The Challenge of Awareness in Developing Societies | | EXOTICA Editors: Dana Raydan & Habib Melki | | BARBANEL DAMMOUS Published by NDU Press, 2005 | | AL BIA WAL TANMIA | | BYBLOS Bank The two volumes can be acquired from the Faculty of Architecture, Art & Design | | AUDI Bank (FAAD) – NDU or by contacting the following address: [email protected] | | LEBANESE CANADIAN | | DAILY PRESS | | MEOUCHI | | AL MASHREK | | AL MABANI | | HABIB SALAMEH | | ALFRED MATTA | | JAMES & JAMES LTD

[email protected]

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Speech of NDU President Father Walid Moussa at the PLEA Conference

ear Participants, The words of Frank Lloyd Wright by persistence and patience remind me of a statement I retained something worthwhile will be D The well-known American from the American horticulturist Luther realized.” architect, Frank Lloyd Burbank that “Nature’s laws affirm Wright, once said: “I believe in God, instead of prohibit. If you violate her My dear researchers, you all only I spell it nature.” laws you are your own prosecuting have the talents, the attorney, judge, jury, and hangman.” inspiration and the ability, and These words of Wright make me think Indeed, “Nature, to be commanded, I am fully confident in your of three basic truths: must be obeyed”; that is what the persistence and patience! English philosopher Francis Bacon once That’s the reason why you are 1. I understand from Wright’s believed. here today. statement how important is the relationship between the architect and My dear friends, environmental Finally, do not forget that we nature. It is likened to the relationship sustainability is the topic of our become what we build! “We of the human being with his God. It is conference this year, and it focuses on shape our buildings; a relationship of love, respect, the challenge of awareness in thereafter, they shape us.” inspiration, protection, adoration, etc.. developing societies. The real challenge With this statement of could be how to apply the ideas and Winston Churchill, allow me 2. The mission of the architect, the way technologies of leading societies in this to thank you for being here I see it, is close to the divine. If man field in the developing societies, taking today. and woman are procreators, in this way into consideration the specificity of the they share with the God-Creator in the latter. creation of humankind, and the architect shares with the God-Creator Therefore, the challenge should not in the making of the universe. To him, stop at the awareness process; rather it this planet has been entrusted for him should reach further. It should deal to develop and protect it. with the application of all results and proceedings. And here I would refer to 3. The responsibility we bear towards the words of Eric Hoffer, who wrote: the environment in which we live is “They who lack talent expect things to indeed great. This environment has happen without effort. They ascribe been handed over to us, and we in failure to a lack of inspiration or turn, in the 21st century, are going to ability, or to misfortune, rather than to pass it to the generations succeeding insufficient application. At the core of us. The question that poses itself here every true talent there is an awareness is, “How are we disposing of the of the difficulties inherent in any environment?” achievement and the confidence that

| page 39 | | issue 35 | | Academic and Student Activities FACULTY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DIPLOMACY

PREPARING THE NATION’S FUTURE LEADERS

he Faculty of Political political national debates about Science, Public political, legal, and public t Administration, and administration issues on radio and TV Diplomacy programs are stations and in magazines and news- designed to provide students with in- papers. Faculty members have a strong | | When the political depth knowledge of international publication record with academic and columnists say affairs, diplomatic exchange, public educational institutions, both in and ‘Every thinking man’, service, the different legal systems, outside Lebanon, specially in the they mean themselves, and how nation-states, people, and United States and France in the most and when candidates organizations interact in the light of prominent journals and publishing appeal to globalization. The program started in companies. Faculty members’ research ‘Every intelligent voter’ 1992 in the old campus location within has focused on academic books about they mean everybody the Faculty of Business Administration, Lebanon, the Middle East, modern who is going to vote was transferred to the Faculty of public administration, politics and for them. Humanities and then became international relations, ethnic conflicts, autonomous with the creation of an terrorism, and the European Union. Franklin P. Adams, independent faculty. The Faculty of Nods and Becks, 1944. Political Science, Public Administration The graduate program of the faculty and Diplomacy (PSPAD) has three has the following M.A. Degrees: M.A. departments: the Department of in Political Science, M.A. in Political Political Science; the Department of Science- Comparative Law Public Administration, and the Concentration-, M.A. in Public Department of International Affairs Administration, M.A. in International and Diplomacy. Affairs and Diplomacy - International Law Concentration. The Faculty is served by nine full-time faculty members and some part-timers. Graduates of the program – more than All full-time faculty members hold PhD 300 – are employed in the Lebanese degrees in the field of their specialties Foreign Service, various international from France, the United States and organizations, and different Lebanese Austria. public administrations. Other graduates have traveled abroad to pursue Faculty members are involved on a advanced degrees in international regular basis in professional activities affairs, public administration, and including the presentation of papers in international law. both local and international conferences as well as participation in | | Dr. Georges LABAKI Associate Professor, NDU

| page 40 | | issue 35 Events FPSPAD

FairTrade project (April Trade Justice activities)

Lebanon Fair Trade days of action and media http://www.april2005.org/media/index.html week 11-16 April Lebanon: Fair Trade days of action and media week Days of Action - All Week

Introduction to the concept of importing fair trade products to the Middle East (e.g. tea, chocolate) and the export of Middle Eastern fair trade products directly to Latin America and West Africa.

|| April 12 - Fair trade South-South info stand at Souk el-Tayeb, Beirut || April 13 - Food sovereignty day of action at Martyrs’ Square, Beirut || April 14 - Presentation and discussion about organic and fair trade products at American University of Beirut || April 15 - Traditional food festival and food sovereignty day at NDU || April 16 - Fair trade South-South info stand at Souk al Tayeb, Beirut

Middle Eastern Media Brief Description of Fair Trade project: Diversity Week One of the main activities of MADS Club during the academic year 2004/2005 11-16 April was to work for the Fair Trade project initiated by FairTrade Liban.

This project consisted of four main activities: Souk el-Tayeb, Global Week of Highlighting the threat of Action, local certification of Fair Trade, and Fair Trade campaigning at NDU. losing the “cultural exception” clause in the WTO treaty Souk el-Tayeb: Souk el-Tayeb is a farmers’ market and a meeting place for during the Doha Round farmers, producers, and consumers. It tries to give the consumer a new name, negotiations, and the impact co-producer. In a way consumers are the most decisive link in the chain as they this will have on regional hold the buying power. Souk el-Tayeb is not just a place to buy and sell; it is cinema, TV and music. More first an informational and educational place for sharing the importance of information on this event awareness and responsibility. MADS participated several time in the Souk by setting up informational stands with brochures and posters and explaining || Organiser about the concept of Fair Trade to the people. Fair Trade Liban and Attac Liban Global Week of Action: || Contact In 10-16 April 2005, there was a global movement supported by international Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous NGO’s like Oxfam and Christian Aid for Trade Justice. FairTrade Liban (i.e. the members of MADS and Dr. Sensenig-Dabbous) were the national contacts of the event (www.april2005.org). In order to plan the activities for

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the week, MADS organized a || Tuesday 12th: MADS set up Fair Trade Boell Foundation, and Souk el-Tayeb. gathering at LAU Beirut where South-South info stand and different NGO and agricultural improvisations at the Souk el-Tayeb Local Certification of Fair Trade: MADS business companies attended farmers’ market in Hamra, Beirut. We is now working with a French student the meeting. The activities in handed out brochures to the people and majoring in Development Studies which MADS participated explained about the Fair Trade concept. (France) who is currently an intern at during the week were the René Muawad Foundation. She is following: || Wednesday 13th: MADS participated helping us to lay a foundation of Fair at the Lebanese Unity Day in Martyrs’ Trade values to endorse a local Square. We also set up an informational certification procedure of Fair Trade stand and explained about Fair Trade to products produced and sold in the people. Lebanon.

|| Thursday 14th: MADS participated in Fair Trade Campaigning at NDU: the domestic certification of organic and MADS set up a stand at NDU campus Fair Trade products presentation, panel on June 6th to explain to the students discussion and strategy session at AUB. about the Fair Trade concept. In this Besides MADS, this event was sponsored awareness campaign, students from by LibanCert (the organic certifications in the Dr. Sensenig-Dabbous POS 101 Lebanon), Faculty of Environmental class also participated by helping us Sciences Programme of AUB, Heinrich out on research and on the stand.

Model UN (March 2006)

Brief Description of the Model United Youness (Palestenian delegate), Sally Nations (MUN) project: Mousa (delegate of Rwanda) and Mony In preparation for the Second Lebanese Trad (delegate of Lebanon). The International MUN in the spring of organization was professional and the 2006, MADS organized a delegation to efforts to make this experience an MUN in Turkey. successful were extraordinary. The three main issues that were discussed MUN Eastern More than 100 students from all over and found resolutions for were capital Mediterranean the world were selected from different punishment, civil war intervention, and April 2006 universities to participate in Sabanci the membership of Turkey in the University International Model United European Union. The students were | | Where Students Nations (SMUN) that took place on the forced to react verbally to become International 19th, 20th and 21st of November in circumstances as they arose and to Leaders for Two Whole Turkey. Four Lebanese students, reinterpret their position in the light of Days referred to as “honorable delegates,” new facts, which meant that they participated in this MUN and assumed rarely had a chance to give a the role of nation’s representative. prewritten speech. The NDU students Three of them were NDU students were very prepared and spontaneous, selected by the FPSAD with the great and were the best representatives of assistance and cooperation of our their country and university, as they MADS advisor, Dr. Eugene Sensenig- have been told by the organization Dabbous. The students were Hasan team. Finally, all the participants were

| page 42 | | issue 35 Events FPSPAD offered certificates for participating in integration into world affairs. || Friday, March 31st this international MUN. An opening ceremony will be Besides the academic learning held in a place which will later Following this MUN, MADS has advantage brought by a MUN, be designated by the organizing delegated MUN participants from NDU participants will share a unique committee. This ceremony will to UN simulations in Belgrade in international experience where they be a get-together for all the Yugoslavia, Sydney in Australia and will learn cultural integration and participants. It will be attended Odessa in Ukraine. For the fall of make lots of friends. by representatives of the PSPAD 2005/2006, MADS will be setting up a teaching community, and by a working group for an Eastern Med Selected topic for the MUN event: United Nations speaker (also to MUN at NDU. The General Conference of the UNESCO be later announced) who will meeting in Paris in October 2005, talk about the importance of the What objectives will MUN Eastern adopted a convention which reinforces role of the UN in celebrating Mediterranean attempt to fulfill? the UNESCO Universal Declaration on diversity. MUN Eastern Med will first and Cultural Diversity, adopted in 2001, foremost initiate participants to the that cultural diversity must be Suggested speakers: basics of the United Nations system, considered as a “common heritage of || Mr. Christian De Clerq, while allowing them to familiarize humanity”. Chief, Program Planning and themselves with the foreign policy Technical Cooperation Division positions of their assigned countries. Based on the outcome of that (UNESCWA) conference, MUN Eastern || Ms. Kendra Knoebl, Program In addition to enhancing their research Mediterranean shall have cultural Officer, UN-OIOS. capacities, MUN also aims at diversity in the Mediterranean as the increasing the negotiation and public central topic of its proceedings. || Saturday, April 1st speaking skills of the participants. Government measures to encourage 09:00-09:30 and preserve cultural diversity in the Breakfast, NDU premises. MUN also provides a forum for the Eastern Mediterranean will be the main 09:45-12:30 exchange of opinions on foreign policy focus of the event’s debates. 1st General Assembly Session- issues, and on internationally debated country speeches - 2 concerns. Debates will be held as part of a minutes/Country-NDU simulated General Assembly session. Auditorium. MUN is rewarding, as a prize is There will be one committee only and 12:30-13:00 Coffee Break discerned to the best team. Here’s the number of countries will be 13:00-14:30 something which is worth being assigned to the delegates once all 2nd General Assembly session- highlighted on a participants’ resumé! applications have been received and Participants debate country the final number of participants positions-NDU Auditorium MUN presents the participants with an confirmed. 14:30-15:30 Lunch Break interactive, out-of-the-classroom 15:45-17:00 3rd General Assembly session- Participants cast their vote-NDU Preliminary Program of the event Auditorium. The event will extend over a period of 17:00-19:00 two days; Friday 31st March — Saturday Participants return to their April 1st – Sunday April 2nd. homes or places of accommodation 19:15——— Social event (to be announced later)

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|| Sunday, April 2nd 09:00-09:30 Model US Presidential elections (June 2004) Breakfast, NDU premises. 09:45-11:00 4th General Assembly session- The goal of this project was to teach NDU students from all faculties about the Participants comment and make American political system. The Model US Election Debates will be repeated in the clause adjustments-NDU run-up to the mid-term congressional elections in November of 2006. Auditorium. 11:00-16:00 || Wednesday 02 June 04 15:00 – 17:00 || Participants: Participants start writing the Two student debate teams of four resolution NDU: Democrats vs. Republicans each Lunch Break Republican team captain: Democrat and Republican research Participants continue writing Pascale Dahrouj teams the resolution Democrat team captain: Three independent referees 16:00-16:30 Hasan Youness Two academic team advisors Resolution is announced to the (Dr. Akl Kairouz and Dr. Eugene jury. Sensenig-Dabbous) 16:30-17:00 Jury meets and deliberates 17:00-17:30 || Round One: Introduction (15 minutes each for a total of 30 minutes) UN Guest Speaker awards One/A general statement by respective team captains (5 minutes each) trophy of best delegate based One/B detailed policy statement by all four team members: foreign policy, on jury deliberation. economy, infrastructure/internal security, social and cultural issues (10 minutes 17:30-19:00 each) Participants return to their homes or places of || Round Two: Cross examining (15 minutes each for a total of 30 minutes) accommodation Break: Consultation with entire team and preparation of final statements 19:15——- (10 minutes) Social Event and farewell party. || Round Three: final statement (10 minutes each for a total of 20 minutes) Referees’ deliberations (10 minutes) Referees’ presentation (10 minutes)

LADE initiative

In order to increase interest in the democratic Lebanese parliamentary Lebanese electoral process, the FPSPAD elections. and the MADS Club invited the Lebanese Association for Democratic MADS is setting up a LADE group at Elections (LADE) to speak at NDU during NDU in the fall in order to work with the Introduction to Political Science the FPSPAD on its spring 2006 courses (POS 101 &POS 201) as of the conference: Electoral Systems in spring of 2001. A variety of NDU Countries with Significant Linguistic or students have signed up to work as Religious Diversity; and with the LADE election monitors over the years, Lebanese Emigration Research Center especially during this year’s first (LERC) on its project: Absentee Voting. http://www.ladeleb.org/english/

| page 44 | | issue 35 Events FPSPAD

Religion and the Social Sciences (Metanexus & Communio)

Lebanon Notre Dame University Zouk Mikael | | The death of NDU, Lebanon Communio Study Circle democracy is not likely to be an assassination or http://www.metanexus.net/local%5Fsocieties/so an ambush. cieties_detail.asp?SocietyID=77 It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and Undergraduate majors in the FPSPAD have worked with the Metanexus undernourishment. Local Societies Group Lebanon, and the Communio Group Lebanon (NB: the Communio movement was founded by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Robert Maynard now Pope, on the role of religion and faith in the social sciences. Hutchins, Great Books, 1954. They participated in a monitored discussion on the History and

http://www.metanexus.net/local%5Fsocieties/default.html Humanities Network (N-NET) Listserve: H-Catholic (H-Net Discussion List on International Catholic History [[email protected]]) in this issue, the results of which were summarised in the NDU Spirit.

FairTrade textbooks – MLA Student Handbook with Malek’s

In cooperation with Malek’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Bookstore, Dr. Eugene Sensenig and Research Papers (6th edition) Dr. Johan Gerde negotiated with Author(s): Joseph Gibaldi the Modern Language Association Pages: xvii + 361 (MLA) in order to have the sale of Published: 2003 the licensed Indian edition of the ISBN: 0-87352-986-3 (paperback) “MLA Handbook for Writers of ISBN: 0-87352-987-1 (large print Research Papers, Sixth Edition” paperback) introduced to the MENA region. As “This standard reference tool of the fall of 2004 the MLA addresses the rapidly evolving student handbook, licensed edition, needs of today’s students.” is available in Lebanon for LL 15,000 instead of the imported US American Reference Books Annual edition, which is also sold by “The style bible for most .” Malek’s, for $26. http://www.mla.org/store&hzid=S178

| page 45 | | issue 35 | | Academic and Student Activities

ICC initiative

On June 1st, 2005, 150 NDU intended to act as a deterrent to pressure the Lebanese parliament to students said YES to the people planning to commit ratify this statute. International Criminal Court (ICC) by atrocities; to encourage national signing a petition requiring the prosecutors to carry out their duties, After having received a two days Parliament and the President to sign and to compensate victims and their training by Amnesty International, and ratify the Rome Statute of the families. MADS’ students have convinced International Criminal Court. their colleagues that Lebanon is Crimes falling within the jurisdiction today at a crossroads, that political Because most perpetrators have of the ICC are war crimes, genocide, agendas are being (at least should committed crimes in the knowledge and crimes against humanity. More be) formulated, and that we must that it was unlikely they would be than 90 states have so far ratified press those electoral candidates, in brought to justice, the ICC, which is the Rome Statute by which the ICC our statute of constituents, to not subject to domestic balance of was established. Lebanon still hasn’t advance the project of ratification power, which has jurisdiction ratified it, which led the MADS’ to the parliament. reaching individuals, and which members to support Amnesty defies the barriers of immunity, is International in its endeavour to

EuroIslam, Ankara and Bucharest

Six students (Gerard Saatdjian, Natalie and offering their own resolutions about Koborsy, Aida Daher, Cynthia Karam, how to furnish dialogue between the Mahmoud Youness, and Olivia Pennikian) Islam and Europe. and Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous (who was also one of the speakers of the On the last day of the event, the conference) participated in the participants conferred about the conference in Ankara organized and sustainability of youth action towards hosted by AEGEE-Ankara. intercultural dialogues and plans for http://www.aegee- future activities. The Lebanese ankara.org/eyecontact/ delegation (i.e. us) proposed to organize

http://www.aegee.org/euroislam/ a conference about “Being a Christian in Islam and Europe: Eye Contact was an a Muslim World / Being a Muslim in a international conference held between Christian World”. the 1st and 6th of October 2004 at the Middle East Technical University where The EuroIslam group set up an Oral 75 university students from all around History Project on “Being Muslim/Being Europe and the Middle East were invited. Christian” in preparation for the The conference was organized by the conference, which is postponed to 2006. European student union AEGEE and was composed of panels and workshops with NDU students were invited to the the contribution of well-known follow-up AEGEE international academics and journalists investigating conference in Bucharest in fall of 2005. the prevailing tension between the Five NDU students, one AUB student and http://www.aegee.org/euroi Islamic and European countries, one Lebanese NGO representative took slam/fileadmin/final_conf/ examining its consequences for Europe, part in this year’s conference.

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Ciné Club Friedrich Duerrenmatt “The political films Physicists” with FAAD

Between 2002 and 2004 Students for the The production students in the Faculty Faculty, as well as highlights the organised a club for political other Uni faculties will science/ethics films, which were shown at be staging this play in interface and will be NDU on a weekly basis. As of the fall of 2006 with produced in a way to the academic year 2005-2006 financial support of reflect Lebanese social the Ciné Club has been the Metanexus Local and political reality. reinitiated by the Humanities Group Lebanon. Faculty.

Peace Studies Conference in Honour of Giorgio La Pira – 1904/2004

Sources of Conflict and Prospects for Peace in Peace Studies Conference the Mediterranean Basin University of Messina / Central Connecticut State University Sources of Conflict and Prospects for The Faculty organised a Uni-wide competition, based on Peace in the Mediterranean Basin, March the quality of submitted students’ papers, which enabled 17-21, 2004, Messina students from five faculties to participate in the Messina Subjects covered included The Mediterranean, Sea conference free of charge in the spring of 2004. Three of Peace; The Mediterranean, Cradle and student papers were selected for publication and will be Crossroads of Culture; Internationalism Terrorism; contained in a volume which will be on the market by the The UN Crisis, Politics and Economics after the end of this calendar year. Iraqi War; The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict; The European Approach to the Enlargement of Democracy in the Balkans; The European Union and Rising Nationalism in the Balkans; The Serb Transition to Democracy; The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership; and Christian-Muslim Relations. The various sessions were accompanied by student workshops.

Migration History Workshop Festival

The Faculty works together with LERC in developing migration history festivals. Students as well as two professors from the faculty were actively involved in developing migration studies capacity at NDU.

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Deutsche Bildungstage: Graduate Opportunities in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and South Tirol/Alto Adige (Italy)

In cooperation with the Office of Research and Development, under Dr. Ameen A. Rihani, Vice-President, Sponsored Research and Development, a career and study fair for the German-speaking countries is being prepared for the 15th of March 2006. Dr. Akl Kairouz and Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous initiated this project, together with Dr. Norman Nikro from the Humanities Faculty.

Democrats Abroad and Republicans Abroad

As reported in the NDU Spirit, Dr. Akl Kairouz (Republicans Abroad - Lebanon) and Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous (Democrats Abroad - Lebanon) assist NDU students, faculty and staff who are US citizens and wish to participate in the American elections. Both work together closely with the US embassy in Lebanon and their respective international party organisations.

Writers’ Pool

In cooperation with Lebanese Center for Research and Studies (LCRS) under the direction of Dr. Abdo Kahi, http://www.democratsabroad.org/ Coordinator, as well as a number of national and international NGOs and IGOs (e.g. the UNDP, ESCWA and ILO), a training programme for undergraduate seniors, MA students and recent graduates is being developed in order to Giving money and better equip our students for power to government is http://www.republicansabroad.org/ positions in the professional like giving whisky and job market, especially in the car keys to teenage field of social science research boys. and development.

P.J. O’Rourke, Parliament of Whores, 1991.

| page 48 | | issue 35 Visitors 2005-2006

Political visitors

n October 31st, 2005, the They generally agreed that all political NDU Discovery Club hosted groups should contribute together to O Minister of Industry finding future strategies. H.E. Pierre Gemayel, while NDU Iftar on November 2nd Deputy George Deputy Geroge Adwan Adwan was the guest of the NDU Debate Club. n October 24th, 2005, Notre Dame On November 2nd, Mr. Gibran Bassil, O University offered official of the Free Patriotic Movement, its yearly Iftar to gave a lecture organised by the NDU honour its Muslim students, Social Club. All three speakers focused with the presence of Father on the results of the UN investigation H.E. Pierre Walid Moussa, President of into the assassination of former Gemayel. NDU, Mr. Suheil Matar, NDU premier Rafiq El-Hariri. They also Director General of Public discussed pressing issues in Lebanon, Relations, Father Boulos principally the Presidency, reform in Mr. Gibran Wehbe, Director of Student Bassil. general and electoral political alliances. Affairs, Father Beshara el- Khoury, Assistant Director, and a gathering of staff and Ciné Club students. Radio/TV Studio Presiding the event, Father n October 18th, 2005, October 25th and November 15th Walid Moussa delivered a the NDU Ciné Club respectively, to be followed by speech about the meaning of O launched its series of Mustapha Al-Akkad’s Omar Al- the Blessed Month of showings of Oscar- Mokhtar on Thursday, November 24th, Ramadan, a month expressing winning films, accompanied by One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on faith and piety, and about the discussion of their artistic merits led Tuesday, November 29th, and values it represented. He said by film critic Emil Chahine, lecturer in Tourbillon (Arabic) on Tuesday, that this period was a call for the NDU Faculty of Humanities. This December 13th . one and all to take the comes in the framework of the patriotic stand that was a endeavours of the Department of At the launching of the series, NDU guarantee for Lebanon and its Mass Communication in promoting Director of Public Relations Mr. unity. These could be assured cultural and intellectual activities, Suheil Matar insisted that the only by the spirit of sacrifice with the cooperation of the NDU University was very keenly interested implied by this holy fast, one Public Relations Office. The film in such activities, which it considered which was a call to God that shown at this first projection was The to be a vital element of academic He might give us the grace of Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman. formation, for they led to greater living together under one flag, Annie Hall and A Streetcar Named cultural and intellectual awareness the flag of Lebanon, flag of Desire were due to be shown on and literary and artistic good taste. freedom and sovereignty.

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From the Sports Office NDU Honours Outstanding Athletes

On Friday, 14th October, 2005, Further, the University honoured importance of sport, to be expressed in the NDU Sports Office wound certain outstanding athletes in the completion of the University’s up its campaign for sporting recognition of their efforts and sporting facilities and in his absolute activities launched at the devotion in the sporting field. support for raising the level of sporting commencement of the new Representing NDU President Father achievement in Lebanese universities. academic year during which Walid Moussa, Father Beshara El- He also thanked the Sports Office, students registered according Khoury presented a commemorative represented by its Director Mr. George to their preferences and to shield to the student John Abd El- Nader, for its efforts and activities their free time. On this Nour, member of the Lebanese national throughout the current year. occasion, students presented a basketball team, together with an NDU variety of athletic and musical scholarship for one academic year. Also, Father Boulos Wehbe, Director of performances to a large crowd the Student Affairs Office, presented a of members of the Father El-Khoury then delivered a commemorative shield to the student administrative and teaching speech in which he stressed the NDU Ms. Lina Rahme, who gained a bronze staffs. President’s attachment to the medal with the Lebanese Cycling Team in the Arab Championship and is currently ranking first in the local Lebanese Championship. John Abd El-Nour surrounded by (left to right) Mr. George Nader, Fr. Beshara El-Khoury, Mr. Elie Boutros and Fr. Boulos Wehbe.

Lina Rahme with (left to right) Mr. George Nader, Fr. Beshara El-Khoury, Mr. Elie Boutros and Fr. Boulos Wehbe.

NDU Autumn Tournament The following are the results of the NDU Fall Sports Tournament, which ended on 28th October, 2005, marking the new scholastic year. A number of universities participated in the games of table tennis and chess.

| page 50 | | issue 35 Sports Office

Table Tennis: Forty men and sixteen ladies took part. Awards were distributed by Father Beshara El-Khoury, Men: Associate Director of Student || 1st Rashid Elboubou Institute of Business Administration and Computer Science Affairs, representing NDU || 2nd Alfred Najm Institute of Business Administration and Computer Science President Father Walid Moussa, who welcomed the Ladies: various representatives of || 1st Christiane Jalkh Lebanese-American University, Beirut Lebanese universities and || 2nd Patricia El-Hajj American Institute of Science and Technology insisted on the excellent organisation of the Tournament and fine Chess finals: competitive sporting spirit, Sixteen university teams took part. before handing out the cups and medals to the winners. || 1st Lebanese-American University, Beirut 14 points || 2nd Institute of Business Administration and Computer Science 13 points The Tournament was || 3rd The War Academy 12.5 points supervised by NDU Director of || 4th Notre Dame University-Louaize 12 points Sports Mr. George Nader, assisted by Mr. Elie Boutros. The Table Tennis tournament Individual results was supervised by the First rank Serge Hovanian 4.5 pts.LAU, Beirut international referee Second rank Jacques el-Shamy 4.5 pts.The War Academy Mr. Michel Rizcallah and the Third rank Elie Aboujaoudeh 4 pts. NDU Chess by the international Fourth rank William Matar 4 pts. NDU referees and officials Hassan Krikor Oukananian 4 pts. Haigazian El-Jindy and Fady Eid.

Awarding Fr. Beshara El-Khoury and the Table Mr. Michel Rizkallah (Table Tennis Tennis Instructor NDU) giving the Table winner’s cup Tennis winner’s cup (men’s). (ladies).

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NDU Christmas | |I proclaim to you Good News of great joy – for today a Saviour This was the text that inspired the Christmas has been born for you. activities of the NDU clubs. – Luke 2: 10, 11

Off-campus, during the month of December and into January they undertook welfare projects related to the feast. Each club chose one of the following associations to receive its support: Al Youbouh, Anta Akhi and Message de paix for the handicapped, the Roumieh prison for young offenders, an SOS village for the adoption of an orphan, the Bird’s Nest and Rabitat al-Mahaba orphanages, Mar Zakaria for social cases, and Al-Makfoufoun al-Loubnanioun for the blind, as well as certain families in need and elderly people. With three of these associations the activity was done in collaboration with the NDU Pastoral Work. The Lebanese Blind participated in the Christmas Fiesta by Civilized the sale of some of their handiwork. Driving Club Club members, accompanied by the SAO Activities Officer, had already visited some of the above and it is intended to continue the contacts after the Christmas vacation.

On Campus, the Christmas Fiesta was held on December 20th and 21st. Despite the tragic events that have recently bought sorrow to Lebanon, there was an active and eager participation in this event, various items being sold on the club stalls and an outline being given of the individual clubs welfare projects. December 21st was a very cheerful day on-stage, with SAO greetings, releases of balloons and music from the club bands all Advertising Club. contributing to the festive fun. At the end of January token certificates, gold, silver and bronze, will be given to the three clubs whose activities stood out the most.

There was a contest for all the clubs to produce the Student “best computerised animated Christmas card”, the latter gathering. being distributed in the name of the SAO and the winning club. The winner was the Social Club.

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The NDU division of computing services is proud to announce the birth of ELIE KHALIL, son of Nazih Khalil, System Analyst & Programmer in the Division of Computing Services - Main Campus. Born on Sunday, July 31st, 2005-12:30 a.m..

Congratulations to the parents of the newborn baby. Armen A. Balian, Head Academic Computer Center, Blackboard Administrator

The NDU division of computing services is proud to announce the birth of CHRISTINA EID, daughter of Ziad Eid, Head of Academic Computer Center - Shouf Elie Khalil Campus. Born on Saturday, July 30th, 2005.

Christina Eid Congratulations to the parents of the newborn baby. Armen A. Balian, Head Academic Computer Center, Blackboard Administrator

  Marriage

NDU Spirit has great pleasure in announcing the marriage of Ms. Lydia Zgheib of the NDU Publications Department to Mr. Jean Chidiac. The wedding took place at the Franciscan Latin church of St. Anthony of Padua at Daraoun, near Harissa, on Saturday, November 19th, 2005. Our very best wishes!

| page 53 | | issue 35 | | Opinion and Culture

Discovering the “Paradise of Kartaba”

Dr. Tanos G. Hage, Chairperson, Sciences Department, NDU

Recently the students enrolled | | Planning the trip furthermore the name really intrigued in Ecology (BIO 314 / ENS 203) The first question was where to take me since Janet Kartaba literally means and I had the opportunity to my students; it was really difficult to the Paradise of Kartaba in Arabic. The discover a natural “paradise” in make a choice in view of all the following lecture, my student brought Lebanon. Ecology is a branch magnificent natural areas in Lebanon. me digital pictures of Janet Kartaba, of biology that studies the Therefore, I decided that the best way the kind of pictures shown on LBC at relationships between to deal with the problem was to ask the end of the evening news. organisms and the the students to select from a variety of environment, and what better locations spanning the whole of I instantly decided that this would be a place to observe and study Lebanon, each representing a different good place to visit. First, I had not these relationships than the ecosystem.1 been there before. Second, it would rich and beautiful landscapes satisfy the passion of the student to of Lebanon? Therefore, I One very enthusiastic student said in a share this place with the rest of the decided to take my students on pitched voice: “Sir, you have not class. Once the decision was made to a field trip to provide them included Janet Kartaba in your list.” To visit the “Paradise of Kartaba”, I made with a lively and hands-on tell the truth, although I have visited the necessary arrangements with the experience related to the and hiked in many places in Lebanon, I administration to provide us with a topics discussed in class. had not been to this place and means of transportation.

A boulder creating a special Dr. Hage with his students. microclimate needed for the survival of many organisms.

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embark on our journey along the river, I asked the students to be vigilant and good observers of nature. I especially wanted them to point out every plant and animal on our way and to try to discover the connections between the living organisms; The paradise at its best. A shrub growing in the middle of a rock. after all, this is the major emphasis of the discipline of | | The Route to the Paradise of is inestimable. It comes as no great ecology. Kartaba surprise then that one of the timeless On Saturday, October 29, 2005, we met Phoenician myths is the legend of One of the first things we saw at the entrance of the University to Adonis which is associated with Nahr upon leaving the bus was a board the bus which would take us to Ibrahim. Every spring the rains erode collection of impressive the valley of Nahr Ibrahim, where Janet red soil from the valley to color the boulders. One of them was Kartaba is located. From the University river. The legend has it that this is the especially large, with a very we took the Beirut-Tripoli highway blood of the slain Phoenician god flat surface on one side, north towards Nahr Ibrahim, crossing Adonis and that it also colors the red looking as if it were cut to over the river, before making a right anemonies that flower in the spring on create a wall, although it was for El-Machnaqa. The road goes uphill top of the hills overlooking the river. in fact a natural formation. first and then drops down along the This is a symbol of fertility and renewal Boulders create a special crest of the ridge looking over the Nahr of life. microclimate required for the Ibrahim valley. Here we reached the survival of some plants and village of Fatre, and from there we animals. kept going up along the ridge of the | | Exploration of the Paradise north bank of Nahr Ibrahim until we Valley of Kartaba Then a few students spotted reached El-Machnaqa. A major junction As we were going down towards the some caves and expressed a exists at El-Machnaqa, left takes you paradise valley from El-Machnaqa, the desire to go down and explore north to Laqlouq, straight takes you to landscape was very green, with Aleppo these areas. One particularly Kartaba and right takes you down the pine (Pinus halepensis) being the interesting plant we hill to Frat and then to the paradise of dominant tree interspersed with oaks discovered covering large Kartaba, the paradise valley which runs (Quercus spp.), pistachio (Pistachia areas near these caves was along the banks of Nahr Ibrahim. palestina) and carob trees (Ceratonia the vine Smilax aspera, with siliqua). I was particularly taken with a its clusters of red fruit, in It is no wonder why this location is magnificent example of the shrub addition to many types of called a paradise; the vista is Arbutus andrachne, with its beautiful grasses and wild pink absolutely fabulous along the bottom small red berries, which was growing in carnations (Dianthus sp.). On of the valley, with the running water the middle of a rock. our way out, I stopped to and the variety of trees growing along show the students the seeds the banks of the river. The importance When the bus stopped at the bottom inside a pod. The moment I of rivers to human history and ecology of the valley and we prepared to opened the pod, however, grey

| page 55 | | issue 35 | | Opinion and Culture

dust billowed out and we saw Some of the organisms most dependent and an alga. The relationship between hundreds of worms swarming on the natural cycle of flooding and the fungus and the alga in lichens is a inside the pod. This is an drying in riparian zones are the trees peculiar one. The algae photosynthesize excellent example of herbivory that form the dominant structure of and provide the source of food for the where plants are the riparian ecosystems. In fact, the trees fungus; on the other hand the alga producers and worms are the previously mentioned are seen only obtains water and minerals from the consumers of the food. around the contour of the river and fungus. This relationship is mutualistic, disappear as we go away from the in that it benefits both organisms. Then we crossed a stone river. From above it appears as if Neither the fungus nor the alga can bridge to head upstream north somebody deliberately planted the exist alone on barren rock, however along the other side of the trees along the bed of the river. together they flourish. The lichens are river and saw a jeep carrying pioneers in plant succession, especially cut wood. It made me very sad This is what gives the paradise valley of on bare rocks where other organisms to see this, given the massive Nahr Ibrahim its special beauty, can not survive. The lichens help in the deforestation which is particularly in the fall with the disintegration of rocks, which assists in currently taking place in changing colors of leaves. This soil formation, the first step needed to Lebanon, and which in turn is ecosystem supports a very large establish higher plants. Lichens also act contributing to the beginnings proportion of biodiversity, particularly as great bioindicators for atmospheric of desertification. As we among birds, reptiles, amphibians and pollution because they bioaccumulate continued on our way, we invertebrates, such as butterflies and large amounts of air pollutants in their observed that willow (Salix ground beetles. bodies, especially sulfur from sulfur spp.) and plane trees (Platanus dioxide gas, which is primarily created orientalis) are the As we were walking we observed many by burning coal and other fossil fuels. predominant trees in the flood rocks covered with mosses and lichens. plain of the river. Interspersed Lichens are of particular significance to As we progressed upstream along the with these trees are the judas the students of ecology. Lichens consist river, we noticed the growth of wild tree (Acer siliquastrum), the of an association between a fungus figs (Ficus carica) and edible wild styrax tree (Styrax officinalis) and even a few maple trees (Acer syriacum).

A huge oriental plane This whole area along the tree (Platanus orientalis). river is a riparian zone. A riparian zone is a transition between the upland terrestrial environment and the aquatic environment of the river. Because they inhabit this transition zone, riparian organisms are adapted to periodic flooding. In fact, many riparian species not only tolerate flooding but require it to remain healthy and complete their life cycles. A natural landscape.

| page 56 | | issue 35 Paradise of Kartaba Ecology

and inside of which was a hive of yellow-jackets.

Associated with the plants we saw were different kinds of invertebrates, including Fall color of pistachio (Pistachia palestina). insects, and reptiles, amphibians and birds. We did not see any mammals in the area, probably because of over-hunting. What was A shrub growing in the middle of a rock. interesting about the animals we did see was that they blackberries (Rubus sp.). Also we saw interesting to note that most of the Q. blended well with their large aggregations of Pteridium ferns. calliprinos in the area are shrub-like environment, making it One interesting thing about the and do not exceed 2-3 meters, which difficult to locate them; this Pteridiums is that their spores are born does not represent the natural growth was especially true of the on the underside of the leaves. The patterns of this tree. The shrub-like insects. The only way we could spores are different from seeds in the appearance is the result of the vigorous see some of them was when fact that they are asexual reproductive sprouting that happens after excessive they moved. One very structures whereas seeds are sexual cutting, burning and overgrazing by observant student saw a tiny reproductive structures. We also livestock. The reason why we have such brown frog, not exceeding noticed the presence of the spiny shrub a tall tree near the church is probably 2 cm in length on the ground. Poterium spinosum, which is an because it has been protected. Even so, I tried to take a picture of it in indication of low soil fertility. near the church along a pathway there its habitat, but could not do was wild Juniperus oxycedrus, whose so because there was no In some parts of the river the water growth had been stunted by contrast. So I put it on my runs in cascades, forming white foam overgrazing. hand and another student as it moves over rocks; this process is took a picture. very important for aquatic life because Near where we stopped for lunch, it aerates or puts oxygen into the some students and I ventured into We walked upstream for water, which is required for aquatic more wild and difficult areas to walk. around two hours before forms of life. In many areas along the Our reward was the opportunity to river there are wetland habitats, which observe some really beautiful flowers, include plants such as ferns, Typha including lilies, daisies and a rare form spp., horsetails (Equisetum sp.), and of Cyclamen that I was not able to wild mint (Mentha sp.). identify because it was not at the flowering stage. Hopefully in the spring Along the way, we were impressed by I will be able to go back to verify an old, tall (around 6 m.) oak tree whether this is the endemic2 and rare (Quercus calliprinus), with a single species of Cyclamen libanoticum. Also stock, near a small old church. In fact, we saw a huge Platanus orientalis tree this tree covered the church. It is with a diameter of more than 1.5 m A tiny frog on the palm of Dr. Hage.

| page 57 | | issue 35 | | Opinion and Culture

turning around to return to In several locations we saw large This was a very relaxing and the bus. The more amounts of garbage left by visitors, educational trip, of a kind where one adventurous, however, can including broken glass. This may start meets the living organisms that we continue hiking upstream to fires, especially during the summer share with our mother earth. Biologist Afqa, the source of the river. when the vegetation dries up. In fact Edward O. Wilson, American Academy But then, according to Frank we saw several burned areas along our of Sciences member, believes that most and Laure Skeels, in their book path. We noticed one location where a people seem to have an inherent Highways and Byways of group of Judas tree seedlings were affinity for the natural world (Biophilia) Lebanon, the road becomes growing amidst the ash left after and feel obligated to protect the more wild and impressive. burning of the area. Judas trees earth’s biodiversity. This is probably brighten our valleys with clusters of due to billions of years of interactions beautiful bright pink flowers in the among organisms, including humans. | | Threats to the spring. The Judas is considered to be Every time I wander in nature, away Riparian Ecosystem of the the tree that Judas hanged himself on. from urban areas, I feel this love of Paradise Valley of Kartaba nature and I remember my The human interference in the In some locations we noticed new grandmother – a naturalist and natural balance of this roads being carved over the hills above herbalist – and the trips we had complex ecosystem was the river, a practice which is together exploring every flower and clearly evident in many areas. aggravating the problem of soil plant in our beautiful mountains. I For example, we saw many cut erosion. In addition, we heard several hope that I can instill in my students a trees, especially Platanus reverberating explosions in the valley, sense of responsibility and stewardship orientalis. In addition, we probably because of quarrying. Finally, towards our endangered environment, noticed an algal bloom in the we noticed the droppings of goats in the same way my grandmother did for river near an orchard of many locations, an indication of me. I got my reward when one student persimmons (Diospyros kaki). It grazing in this area. Grazing by goats is told me at the end of the trip, “Thank is probable that the algal one of the greatest threats to plant you sir for a wonderful day, this was a bloom is due to the leaching biodiversity in Lebanon, because they trip to remember!” of nutrients resulting from the are voracious animals and can reach over-use of fertilizers in the places which other grazing animals can orchards. We also observed not. that the further upstream we traveled, there was a marked decrease in algal bloom, indicating less dumping of nutrients into the river. Also, in many locations we observed 1 Ecosystem: a biological the carvings by visitors, mainly community plus all the abiotic on old trees. This practice (non-living) factors influencing prevents the transport of that community. organic compounds, primarily sugars, to sink areas such as 2 Endemic: a term applied to the roots. In fact, if the stem populations or species that are is ringed the whole tree may found in a particular locality, for die. instance an island, and nowhere Fall at its best in the paradise. else.

| page 58 | | issue 35 Genetic engineering 2005-2006

Is Genetically Modified Food Safe?

Wassim E. Beaineh

In 2000, scientists discovered the Interest (CSPI). Also, the insertion of will create a new bacteria- whole genoma of the human being, genes into a plant chromosome could gene called “Bt” that causes and it was with some surprise that I trigger the expression of a neighboring corn to produce a toxin. This learnt that doctors could use genetic gene that was previously present but toxin may lead to eczema and engineering, which is a laboratory not expressed. (Rowland, 2002, p. 28) immuno-allergy. (Howard, technique used by biologists, to change The full ramifications of modified 2003, p. 5) I think people must the DNA of living organisms and to genes “escaping” and mixing with be more careful in eating allow parents to select the unmodified ones are unknown. Cross- these kinds of foods because characteristics they desired in an breeding by farmers and evolution by the long-term effects are still unborn child. But the history of genetic Nature have always involved gene unknown and in the future we engineering started in 1987, when transfer between similar species, not may discover wider effects many Genetically Modified Foods completely different species such as a such as cancer and many (GMF) were introduced into the fish and a potato. This point makes us others. markets of the United States and more attentive to allergenic diseases, Europe. “Genetic Engineering of food is which can be harmful to our health. Another reason why I consider a modern molecular-biology technique “Modifying the genes could introduce a genetically engineered foods identified, cloned and inserted into a new allergenic substance into the food dangerous is that there has plant. Genes can be transferred and supply,” says Perry Adkisson, Ph.D., been no adequate testing to multiplied by conventional techniques.” University of Maryland. So if anyone ensure that extracted genes (Rowland, 2002, p. 26) As the science takes these risks into consideration, he that perform a useful function of GMF continues to grow and flourish, can see that thousands of people may as part of a plant are going to society is faced with many issues. Is it be affected. (Howard, 2003, p. 3) A have the same effects if they true that GMF is safe? I believe that new study shows that seventy to are inserted with totally genetically modified foods are not seventy-five per cent of genetically unrelated genes. We cannot healthy and may have harmful effects engineered foods contain harmful know at this time whether or on their users and the environment. biotech ingredients. Thirty-five per cent not GMF are safe, due to the of people who eat GMF in the United lack of safety testing. “The The safety evaluation of GM crops States are subject to allergies coming testing that has been done is presents considerable problems from the reactivity of the introduced often to ensure that the crop concerning people’s safety. GMF may protein with immunoglobin E. For grows. There has been less be toxic because of the high rate or example, peanuts and Brazil nuts are emphasis on testing the level and specificity of expression of sources of allergenic nutrients and effects or testing the wider the introduced genetic material. “We cause asthma and a predisposition to ecology and the associated must consider the possibility of food allergy. (Walters, 1999, p. 90) impacts,” says Jeremy Ritkin, unexpected changes in plants,” says According to the United States the American critic who has Doug Gurian-Sherman, Science Director Department of Agriculture (USDA), served as consultant to EU of the Biotechnology Project of the forty percent of the nation’s corn is a leaders on biotech issues. Center for Science in the Public GMF; when a single gene is altered, it (Greider, 2003, p. 5) We can

| page 59 | | issue 35 | | Opinion and Culture

find some projects to test the 2001 alone. GM also increased yields to decrease their use. Companies that safety of GM crops such as by about one billion kg, saved more manufacture pesticides are also the SAFOTEST and ENTRANSFOOD; than one billion dollars in production very ones that also make such GM food unfortunately, they are still in costs and reduced the use of tillage in products as Round-up Ready GM their infancy. These projects agriculture. (Roush, 2004, p. 9) Africa is Soybeans and Monsanto. (Kolodinsky, present problems both in likely to be the greatest beneficiary 2000, p. 72) The decrease of conduct and in interpretation from GM crops in the future. Although biodiversity in crops will lead to of experimental studies there are problems with food “genetic pollution” in the future and because toxicity tests used in distribution in Africa, the costs of thus more genes will be hidden and the evaluation of simple improving the transportation system in will not express so well as before. chemicals may not be Africa are enormous. Further, it is a key Genetic pollution will hasten the appropriate for whole foods. to the economic welfare of individual change in the genetic stability of the (Fox, 2001, p. 32) A good African farmers being self-sufficient. In modified organism and in all the question can be asked, namely the long term, GM crops still have a nutritional information. (p. 75) where is the hard science that potential for addressing major issues proves whether or not there is such as nitrogen fixation, which can Finally, it is obvious that genetically any risk? This is the hardest help counter soil acidity, worsened by altered foods are not safe. It is the question, one to which we do the addition of the fertilizers that responsibility of consumers to protect not find a suitable answer. agriculture needs in order to maintain themselves and to take more its productivity. (p. 11) precautions, reading the labels and lists While GMF have many bad of ingredients such as corn oil, corn effects, it must be conceded One of the most important reasons starch, corn syrup, soy protein, and that from a business point of why I do not support GMF is the risk of lecithin and canola oil. (Fox, 2001, view they are more favorable, losing Nature’s biodiversity. With the p. 32) Moreover, consumers can eat and a great deal of money and rapid increase in productivity and fresh fruits and vegetables which are profit is involved in this. The profits, the diversity of the crops used not GM and try to buy organic industry of genetically is being reduced. And if the diversity is products. As consumers we really need modified food has led to an reduced, the benefits of diversity such laws and rules for higher standards in agricultural revolution and a as resistance to disease, greater ability order that new technologies and huge increase in yields. to deal with environment and commercial products such as GMF are According to the United States increased yields will also be lowered. proved safe before they can be government, eight GM crops At this point, the non-resistance to marketed. We have to look to our have been calculated at more disease obliges greater use of future, not only to our present time than 21 million kg in the year pesticides, whereas our goal is precisely when everything goes fast and easy.

References | | Fox, B. (2002). GM Safety. Infotrac Library. Retrieved. December 9, 2004. From http://www.infotrac.net/ | | Greider, W. (2003, November. A high level food fight. Academic Research Library Database. Retrieved December 18, 2004 from http://www.proquest.umi.com/ | | Howard, B. (2003, October) How safe is the food you eat? Academic Research Library Database. Retrieved December 18, 2004 From http://www.proquest.umi.com/ | | Kolodinsky, S. (2002) GEF Safe? Infotrac Library. Retrieved December 20, 2004 from http://www.infotrac.net/ | | Roush, R. (2004) Good, Safe, Banned. Institute of Public Affairs. Retrieved December 17, 2004 from http://www.proquest.umi.com/ | | Rowland, I.R. (2002). Genetically modified foods, science, consumers and the media. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Retrieved December 18, 2004 from http:///www.ingenta.com/FoodSafety. | | Walters, R. (1999, March 18) Is Food Safe? The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2004 from http:///www.ingenta.com/FoodSafety/Gm

| page 60 | | issue 35 Keep the faith K. J. Mortimer

To keep the faith – Home is not enough! K.J. Mortimer

While taking a short holiday on the Simple reliance on home influence and respect for other heights of Kesrouan, at that moment seems to come from a narrow sectarian motorists through rush-hour wrapped in the glory of the rays of the view of religion. One’s religion is too traffic! Once upon a time setting sun, I was discussing the need often seen as a tribe whose numbers children were taught polite for religious formation of our youth have to be maintained by inheritance table manners and enjoyment with a certain zealous young priest. I and whose blood-line must be kept of food through moderation, suggested that the years spent in a pure, untainted by that of outsiders.1 but now television teaches university were decisive, while my But there is always a leakage, a steady them greed, a good training clerical friend insisted on the over- draining away of lost sheep, which has for obesity. When one sees riding importance of home. to be made up from the numbers point children arguing with helpless of view. And the fact is that not all so- mothers about their food on Frankly, he did not convince me. It was called Christian families are good. TV one only wishes their not that I actually disagreed with him Many are mediocre and some are mothers would give them a about the importance of the home. rotten to the core. Western materialism good spanking. The music clips There was an English cardinal by the is no longer merely Western. It has show young blacks and whites name of Vaughan in the nineteenth invaded the whole world and is already of a criminal underworld century whose mother had spent an well entrenched in Lebanon, where against a slum background hour every evening praying that all her more than anything else it threatens all with songs of violence, revolt, children should become priests or nuns; the precious social values. debauched sex and even four sons became priests, the two Satanism. With such role- others entered a seminary but returned Unfortunately, the chief influence in models presented to them, to lay life and all three daughters most homes nowadays is television. one can hardly complain if became nuns. In fact most saints and Advertisements for cars show them blacks in the West turn to most good priests, monks and nuns being driven at impossible speeds on crime and disorder, or are have come from good Christian homes. empty roads that certainly do not exist treated with suspicion and But there is no rule. in Lebanon; the advertisements do not contempt. Once upon a time show the cars being driven with care in order to dance one learnt strict rules of courtesy and etiquette. “Education” is reduced to learning how to use a computer and schools are no longer expected to teach discipline and good conduct.

Further, in these times of rapid change and development, when a paternal frown no longer brings cowering obedience, when rare are the children who

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spend their whole lives in Protestantism may explain the collapse obsession. Salman Rushdi has pointed mountain village communities, of religious practice in Northern Europe out (BBC, September, 2005) that very few parents have the a century ago. Church attendance, nowadays more and more people seem level of religious knowledge often twice on Sundays, was obligatory to define themselves by what they needed to prepare their and sermons often two hours long, hate. As far as Christianity is children to go out in the generally about the eternal punishment concerned, it is invidious to pick out world. Even in the great cities that awaited most of the congregation texts here and there; simply the whole of our age, otherwise after their death. On Sundays, all the Gospel is missionary, burning with love educated Christians pass their children’s toys were locked up in the for all humanity. It is impossible to lives with an infant-school cupboard and all play and laughter read the New Testament with an open level of religious instruction. It forbidden, while the silence of the mind and come to any other is not enough to have a tomb descended on the house. conclusion. “Going, therefore, teach all mother who is a veritable nations...” (Matthew XXVIII, 19) grenouille de bénitier (holy My London parish priest was brought water frog) as the French say up in a Catholic family full of the joy We do in fact see that there are many and who fills every shelf in her of the Resurrection and the Gospel who have strong religious convictions, house with horrible sickly message – in 1949, when over ninety, yet were not raised in a religious home. pious pictures (art de St.- his father attended the golden jubilee I know a Muslim who is a model of Sulpice).2 Many are lost to the (50 years) of the ordination of his two Islamic piety as well as generosity and faith because they cannot sons. However, the children had one professional integrity although his reconcile their natural drive aunt of strict Reformed tradition. Once father was a prominent member of a with the impression received when Christmas fell on a Sunday, the basically atheist political party. from their parents that sex is adults and children were romping Dr. Sherwood Taylor was an eminent by nature evil and that about but noticed their aunt sitting in Oxford University scientist and well- marriage is a sort of toleration stony silence. “Why don’t you come known atheist intellectual who became of sin. One mother I knew was and play and have fun with us?” they a zealous Catholic propagandist as a shocked that her daughter asked. The crushing answer came in result of studying the Galileo case. should want to marry in the sepulchral tones, “Those that laugh on Many defenders of Christian belief, month of May, sacred to Our earth will howl in Hell!” Even in such as G.K. Chesterton and Sir Arnold Lady. Unfortunately, very few Lebanon many older people may Lunn, have been converts who wished people read the Old remember religious fear being used by by their writings and speeches to pass Testament, the Gospels or the teachers of a less educated generation on their new-found treasure to others. epistles of St. Paul to learn to impose discipline in school. how marriage is holy and its In my own case, I was brought up by pleasure willed by God. But there is another aspect to the grandparents in a home where my whole question. Christianity, Islam and mother, a convert to Catholicism, could Many parents make religion a Buddhism are missionary religions, have little influence. My grandfather solemn, serious matter, a each intended for all mankind.3 Of was a typical example of late Victorian tedious bore, a matter of course, there are the religion, what might be called Low- “don’t do this and don’t do “Fundamentalists”, whether in Church Anglican, imbued with a deep that”, so it is scarcely Washington or Waziristan, who see suspicion of Popery but at least with surprising that their children religion in terms of war of their the virtue of tolerance for what he should throw off all restraint community against the infidel. A disapproved. He had a huge “Family once they are free of parental Fundamentalist is a person who ignores Bible”, which he opened only to amuse authority. This reaction the fundamentals of his religion and me with the engraved illustrations. He against the Calvinist streak in replaces them with some personal was of extreme moral rectitude, having

| page 62 | | issue 35 Keep the faith K. J. Mortimer resigned in World War I from a military atheist, one needs to know the reasons defence force because other members for one’s faith so as to be able to had sung a dirty song. Yet he never preserve and foster it. Most people actually went to church, prayed or imagine that faith is something blind mentioned religion. My religious faith and that the reasons for it must not be is something I owe entirely to a questioned. I was very pleased when providential visit to the local parish His Eminence Justin Cardinal Regali church, where again apparent said to an NDU audience that every coincidences led me to meet the priest, Christian should consider himself a whom I addressed as Sir instead of missionary with the duty of influencing Father, thus awakening his concern. those around him. But to do this one This holy man became the decisive must be properly prepared. In most influence in my life. cases a young man or woman is cast in his final intellectual mould during the In Britain and America during and after late ‘teens or around the age of To keep the faith Home is not enough! World War II, many who had been twenty. Therefore in the terminal brought up in religious ignorance and classes Christian schools should give a indifference found their faith as a course of Apologetics, that is to say result of military service in the armed the philosophical, scientific and forces, where they were impressed by historical reasons for belief in God, His the example and arguments of Revelation, His moral law and His prayerful friends. At the British Air Church. In this way the young person Force base at Habbaniya in Iraq, with will be able to resist the temptations of the support of an excellent chaplain, a the world and the doubt that creeps number of airmen who attended daily into the soul when surrounded by evening Mass led friends to the Church materialism and mockery of God, when and these on their return to Britain suffering from discouragement and themselves became plunged in religious depression, especially when studying in activity. Incidentally, at this time other countries. seminaries and monasteries were | | 1 In fact this tribal view of crowded out with ex-soldiers who had He will soon have the urge to enlighten religion is the enemy of religion, as can be seen in the Balkans and seen the hapless state of unbelievers others; for this he will need to deepen Northern Ireland. and wished to be missionary by prayer his understanding of his faith by | | 2 Eastern iconography is far alone or by prayer and action. reading and by discussion and to lead a more instructive. Many people confuse the Immaculate life of prayer, for no work for God can Conception with the Virgin Birth. No less than twelve quite irreligious be done without His help, that is to say The icon of Youakim, Anne and businessmen were led to God by a without the action of the Holy Spirit. their daughter Mary shows stock-broker I knew, a controversialist Love and care for those who know not Youakim placing his hand on the shoulder of his wife, a subtle way of burning missionary spirit, I believe God will deepen his own spiritual life. of indicating that the conception himself a convert. While others of Mary, unlike that of her Son, thought of missionary work as What is more, he will direct his natural was carnal. But many western something done in Africa or Asia, he desires to founding a deeply Christian “pious” pictures are enough to turn anyone off religion. was obsessed by the need for family with a partner chosen for | | 3 This of course is not the reconverting Britain to Christianity. Christian virtues. Love for God means case of Judaism, a fact which love for souls both within the home tends to vitiate dialogue, particularly with those who are In order to keep one’s faith in a world and in the outside world. Zionists, for lack of common which is for all practical purposes ground to start with.

| page 63 | | issue 35 | | Opinion and Culture

Père Léonard Melki Un nouveau Cèdre du Liban:

Début du procès de canonisation du Père Léonard Melki, Capucin Libanais et Martyr du Génocide des Chrétiens d’Orient pendant la première guerre mondiale.

Le 6 novembre 2005 a constitué une documentation qui raconte son martyre date singulière dans les annales de en Turquie au cours de la première l’histoire de la ville de Baabdate. En guerre mondiale. effet, le matin du 6 novembre après la messe dominicale de 9 h.30 en l’église Ce tribunal devra examiner la positio et Saint Antoine, le Père Florio Tessari, établir un rapport. Ce dernier sera Postulateur de l’Ordre Capucin annonça envoyé au Saint Siège à Rome où un devant une centaine de fidèles autre tribunal statuera définitivement l’ouverture officielle du procès sur l’affaire. Cette decision finale ne diocésain pour la béatification du Père devrait pas tarder, car une partie du Léonard Melki. Dans une allocution dossier (la positio) est similaire à celle prononcée après la cérémonie qui a servi à la canonisation de religieuse, le Père Tessari, d’origine Monseigneur Maloyan, qui était dans le italienne, a déclaré dans un français même convoi que le Père Léonard. Ce hésitant : “Nous sommes là pour ouvrir convoi de la mort regroupait 417 le procès canonique diocésain pour le personnes qui ont tous été martyrisées. martyr Père Léonard. C’est un procès La canonisation du Père Léonard ne historique. Nous devons recueillir tous saurait donc tarder. les documents qui parlent de lui”. Le Père Léonard, de son vrai nom La foule, constituée d’une centaine de Youssef Habib MELKI, est né à fidèles, était très touchée par Baabdate au Metn le 4 octobre 1881. l’allocution du Père Florio. Certains des Dans ce village dont l’histoire moderne fidèles étaient des proches-parents du est pétrie de la présence des Pères Père Léonard. Capucins le futur Père Léonard décide de rejoindre l’Ordre des Capucins. Le Le Père Florio était muni d’un Nihil jeune Youssef est alors envoyé au Petit Obstat de la Congrégation pour la Séminaire de San Stéfano - ce qui Cause des Saints. Il l’a remis à constitua probablement un Monseigneur Dahdah, Vicaire dépaysement pour ce jeune Cèdre du Apostolique des Latins du Liban, afin Liban qui quitta Baabdate en août qu’on examine le cas du Père Léonard 1897 – où en plus du français, du latin, Melki. Cet examen sera basé sur ce de l’italien, les étudiants devaient se qu’on convient d’appeler “la positio” , mettre au turc et à l’arménien, idéal ce qui veut dire en d’autre termes la missionnaire oblige. Le 13 juillet, 1898, cause. Il s’agit d’un document de 700 Youssef pris l’habit religieux et pour pages préparé par le Père Sélim nom Léonard en souvenir du Saint Rizkallah. Ce document essentiel Léonard de Port Maurice, célèbre regroupe la biographie du Père prédicateur du XVIII siècle. Après le Léonard, sa correspondance, et la noviciat, Léonard, alias Youssef, fut

| page 64 | | issue 35 Père Léonard Melki 6-11-2005

Le Père Leonard Melki (nom de baptême: Youssef) Capucin Libanais. envoyé au séminaire de Boudja près de un missionnaire Capucin, l’esprit de mouchards rapportèrent aux Smyrne en Turquie. Il gravit rapidement libertinage et d’indifférence religieuse Turcs l’existence de les échelons du sacerdoce: il reçut la s’introduisit dans toutes les Eglises l’association du Précieux Sang, tonsure le 10 février 1910, le diaconat d’Orient. suffisant pour l’accuser de le 24 juillet 1904, puis le sacerdoce en vouloir verser le sang des décembre 1904. Et c’est élevé à la Atteint d’un mal de tête “acharné qui musulmans! dignité sacerdotale que le moine ne lui donne jamais de trêve” le Père Léonard revint parmi les siens à Léonard est transféré à Mamouretel- Le mercredi 9 juin, les soldats Baabdate après avoir conquis la toison azziz mais rien n’y fit; sa santé sortirent le Père Léonard de sa dorée. Beaucoup plus restait à venir: la continuait de se détériorer. Léonard cellule et se mire à le battre. toison éternelle sera bientot au rendez- revint passer quelques temps dans son Ils lui arrachèrent la barbe, lui vous. village qu’il devait quitter pour enlevèrent les ongles des toujours en 1911. Le Père Léonard doigts et des orteils et le Sa première assignation fut à la rentra en Mésopotamie pour s’occuper suspendirent la tête en bas Mission de Mardine, ville de Turquie où de la mission de la ville d’Orfa. A environ deux heures, au cours pour une fois les chrétiens étaient plus l’ombre se proliférait la grande guerre desquelles ils se relayaient nombreux que les musulmans et où se qui devait éclater en août 1914. Les pour le battre avec des verges côtoyaient catholiques, arméniens et premières vexations contre les et des batons. Ils lui disaient: chaldéens. Au cours de cette première chrétiens ne tardèrent pas à “Appelle la France pour qu’elle mission, le Père Léonard s’occupe parmi commencer: arrestations, se hâte et vienne te tenir d’autre du Tiers Ordre très nombreux interrogatoires, enlèvements, compagnie. Convoque tes amis dans cette ville: plus de 400. Ses autres assassinats… Le complot ourdi par les pour qu’ils viennent te sauver.” activités comprennent l’enseignement Jeunes Turcs visaient à massacrer les Mais le doux Père garda le et le travail pastoral. Dans cet chrétiens d’Orient injustement silence, se confiant entre les environnement édifiant et bon enfant, soupconnés de faire le jeu des mains de son Seigneur. A la fin, commençait à se profiler l’ombre puissances européennes. La methode ils le basculèrent dans d’évènements qui allaient ensanglanter des massacres consistaient à arrêter en l’escalier, où il s’évanouit. Dieu la Turquie et tout l’Orient. En effet, un masse les hommes, en premier les seul sait ce qu’il endura de Comité appelé “Jeune Turc” prend le notables, à les diriger vers des souffrances et de tortures de pouvoir. Idéologiquement sectaire, les destinations inconnues, puis à les toute sortes”. (1) Jeunes Turcs prétendent régénerer la disperser en petits groupes avant de les Turquie à n’importe quel prix, même au massacrer. Le Père Léonard fut Un autre témoin, le prix du massacre de communautés transféré à Mardine. C’est dans l’église P. Hyacinthe Simon, nous entières. Sous couvert d’appel à l’union des Capucins que le Père Léonard fut parle des souffrances du Père et aux progrès, les Jeunes Turcs arrêté à l’aube du 15 juin 1915. Les Léonard: “Citerai-je le Père rétablissent la Constitution de 1876 soldats y découvrirent un cahier Léonard de Baabdath, qui déclarait l’égalité entre toutes les comprenant les membres de la missionnaire capucin, libanais religions de l’Empire …qui du reste ne fraternité de Saint François: c’était de nationalité, qui dut boire fut jamais respecté. Avec le suffisant pour prétendre que c’était tout un calice d’ignominie? Et rétablissement de la Constitution, écrit une association française. D’autres pourquoi? Parce qu’il était le

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directeur de la Confrérie du funèbre s’avance lentement et en présenter le procès de béatification de Précieux Sang. La signification silence à travers les rues de la Mgr Maloyan sans aucun de ses de ce mot “Précieux Sang”, ville…Plusieurs portaient les chaines collègues.) Et comme le cas du Père Mamdouh bey la restregnit au aux bras, quelques uns même avaient le Léonard est strictement semblable à sang des musulmans, dont le cou assujeti par des anneaux de fer. celui du P. Léonard on peut espérer par dit missionnaire convoitait et Tous étaient encadrés de cent soldats la Grace de l’Esprit parvenir au même prêchait et favorisait la plus dans la milice…On vit aussi le résultat dans un laps de temps très abondante effusion. D’autant P. Léonard, capucin, brutalement court. plus que l’on avait trouvé la frappé, lors de son passage devant son liste des membres de la dite couvent…C’est lui qui eut l’honneur Chaque candidat à la béatification doit confrérie affichée à la porte de d’ouvrir le cortège, ayant à ses cotés parmi d’autres conditions apporter un l’ église capucine. C’était donc deux tertiaires fransiscains. On vit enfin message à son époque. En d’autres bien une association plus que Mgr Maloyan, nu-tête et pieds nus, les termes, il doit répondre à une attente séditieuse et nuisible. Elle fers au cou, fermant la procession, spirituelle profonde de la société. On cherchait plus que les troubles entouré de deux policiers…” (3) peut affirmer à juste titre que le Père de l’Empire, elle réclamait son Léonard est le martyr de la paix. En sang. Et voici notre P. Léonard “Après leur refus une fois de plus effet, son martyre est synonyme de accablé d’injures et de d’apostasier, le massacre pouvait paix, car à l’inverse des “martyrs”qui se crachats et de coups. Mais il commencer. Les malheureux furent font exploser pour assassiner le plus tint ferme. Mamdouh bey divisés en petits groupes. Certains grand nombre possible de personnes le massacrait le P. Léonard, le furent emmennés près de la citadelle Père Léonard a versé son sang jusqu’à P. Léonard bénissait Mamdouh nommée Zarzawane. D’autres furent la dernière goutte au nom de la paix et bey.” conduits au lieu dit “Grottes de de la justice. Cheikhane”. Ils furent exterminés D’autres chrétiens subissaient jusqu’au dernier. Leur mort fit des massacres, à la tête l’admiration des kurdes eux-mêmes. desquels figuraient l’évêque “Jamais, dit l’un d’eux, nous n’avons vu arménien Mayolan, qui devait pareille fermeté religieuse. Si pour des connaître le martyre à coté du motifs analogues, les chrétiens se Père Léonard. Après leur refus jetaient sur nous, nous nous ferions une fois de plus d’abjurer la tous chrétiens à leur demande.” religion chrétienne, le sort des 417 chrétiens était arrêté. A Maloyan et Léonard - de même que l’aube du 11 jeudi, le convoi tous les martyrs des massacres de devait quitter la ville de Turquie de cette époque - sont Martine vers son ultime considérés à juste des martyrs. De gauche à droite: Dr. Georges Labaki destination: la mort. Le même D’ailleurs Monseigneur Maloyan vient petit neuveu du P. Léonard, le Père Florio, le témoin oculaire, P. Hyacinthe d’être béatifié par le Pape Jean-Paul II. Père Macimò, Léonard Labaki arrière-petit- neveu du Père Léonard, et Richard Melki Simon, rapporte: “ Le cortège (Les Arméniens avaient préféré devant la maison paternelle du Père Léonard Melki à Baabdate.

Le Père Florio entouré du Père (1) P.Rizkallah Salim, Un martyr du Genocide Macimò et dde Arménien, Léonard Melki, Capucin Libanais, quelques Baabdate, C.P.Selim Rizkallah, 2001, p. 95. membres du (2) Ibid. p. 97. “comité de (3) Ibid. p.118. soutien” à la (4) Ibid. p.119. béatification du Père Léoanrd. || Dr. Georges LABAKI

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Saleem Baradhy Carl Gustav Jung Student of Psychology Programme The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man

“The spiritual problem of modern man impression that it is Nietzsche who is “somewhat” on Jung’s behalf) is one of those questions which are so behind the quill and not Jung; what liberated from them – again in much a part of the age we live in that Jung is progressively defining as “the concordance with Nietzsche’s we cannot see them in the proper modern man” is quite similar to what “free spirit”; even more, it perspective.” (Jung, 1950) Oh, but he Nietzsche describes as the “free spirit” seems to border with his could! Carl Gustav Jung did see the in Beyond Good And Evil … Then again, “ubermensch” or over-man issue at stake from the proper Nietzschean influences in this thoroughly conceptualized in perspective. Perhaps his humility for Germano-Swiss liberator are clearly Thus Spoke Zarathustra. which he is globally acclaimed is what noticeable throughout his bibliography. incited him to inaugurate his essay “He alone is modern who is conscious Jung further elaborates on the with such skepticism, and is what of the present.” (Jung, 1950) The nature of modern man, constantly causes him to end an essay means to reach this superlative state, underlining solitarity as an with even more speculation than can according to Jung, is through “the most integral component: for man be found in the early passages of the intensive and extensive consciousness, to be modern he must a priori text. Nonetheless, this master physician with a minimum of unconsciousness.” be solitarily introspective at a of the soul in his insights, and (Jung, 1950) Traits of Jung’s distance from dilution with profound sage in his conclusions, never dislocation from Freud can be noticed the all-too-human herd, an ceases to advance a fresh insight into by the trained eye in this statement, existence as an unconscious the nature of the psyche, just as he did with Jung shedding more emphasis on denominator whose through his literary work. How the conscious experience rather than psychological indicator is comforting it is to read such an on the unconscious itself. Not that Jung’s own coined notion of introduction to a provoking question, Jung is an opponent of the latter the “collective unconscious” an introduction so moderately cautious notion; on the contrary he is one of its and whose textual description that its intrinsic aim is not to fiercest advocates, notably in the issue he borrowed from showcase the vain achievements of a of dreams, and more notably in their anthropologist Luden Levy- study, but rather to set its limitations mythological content and archetypal Bruhl – “participation in all modesty and wisdom in its grand images. But while Freud unveils the mystique”. Truly, what better sense, prudently declaring that “too causality of psychological phenomena, term can properly label this many of us already have fallen victim Jung attempts to interpret their “maternal womb of to our own grandiloquence.” (Jung, finality, which is exactly the case here: unconsciousness in which the 1950). modern man is not one whose actions mass of men dwells.” (Jung, are to a large extent governed by his 1950) Modern man is meant Whilst reading the first few lines of the unconscious processes, but one who is to tear himself loose from the text at hand, one would have the somewhat (and I stress the term chained boundaries of this

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participation mystique that, similarity may be drawn with Nietzsche this worldly existence; once more, Jung though unconscious in terms when, in the same aforementioned succeeds in adopting the most of psychic placement, is book, he speaks of worms and parasites convening of terms to transmit the conscious in its expression, as lurking around the super-man; the idea that modern man is “the can be seen in any community higher the latter exalts, the higher the culmination of the whole history of strata, to borrow Jung’s former’s expressed envy and attempts mankind, the fulfillment and end- example. Jung keeps pushing (failed at most times) to over-shadow product of countless generations, but the envelope in sculpting the his modernity. What sets the modern also the disappointment of the hopes profile of modern man who is man apart from these little existences and expectations of the ages.” (Jung, expected to not only live in is, for Jung, a voluntary declaration of 1950) A turning-point, that perhaps the present, but also “estrange bankruptcy, but not a material one of went by unnoticed by most readers of himself from the mass of men course, rather one whose latent this masterpiece, is unleashed next. who live entirely within the meaning suggests “outgrowing the Jung, again re-affirming his far- bonds of tradition, leaving stages of consciousness belonging to reaching vision, and again resurrecting behind him all that has been the past, and amply fulfilling the duties Nietzsche, speaks out and says: “He is discarded and outgrown” appointed for him by his world.” (Jung, indeed the product of an age-old (Jung, 1950), once more 1950) in order to achieve full development, but he is at the same displaying purely Nietzschean consciousness of the present. What time the worst conceivable preaching that can be found sets him further apart is his proficiency disappointment of the hopes of in one particular part of Thus (“achieving as much as other people, mankind.” (Jung, 1950) Modern man Spoke Zarathustra entitled “Of and even a little more.” (Jung, 1950)) has just been demoted from “over- The Old And The New Law which is repugnant to the pseudo- man” to “noon-tide”, which Nietzsche Tables”. moderns, for it reminds them also speaks of. The primary elation unpleasantly of their trickery. But this caused by the captivating description Just as Jung prudently is the price that humanity is compelled of the modern man given by Jung commenced his article with an to pay for generating modern men – suffered a cataclysmic fall when his honest appraisal of the “every good quality has its bad side, imperfection was then portrayed. Jung potential limitations such an and nothing good can come into the eloquently sampled his contemporary inquiry may trigger, he world without at once producing a achievements, or rather those of all contined in the same spirit by corresponding evil” (Jung, 1950) – how mankind, particularly the issue of war, warning against the inevitable Hegelian of you, Carl! And on a side given the temporal context of the rise of copycats – “worthless note, this is precisely what sets Jung script, proving to us that we are people, uprooted wraiths, himself apart from fellow theorists; as perhaps in an “age of enlightenment” blood-sucking ghosts who Hermann Hesse puts it, “he does not and not in an “enlightened age” as give themselves a deceptive stop at the mechanism of the psyche scholars of Kant would like to name it air of modernity and whose or treat it as natural science but as (Kant, 1784). This left Jung skeptical, emptiness casts discredit upon philosophy, but he is rescued from the for all great minds are skeptical. But modern man in his enviable tendency to academicism by his there is no danger in a great mind loneliness.” (Jung, 1950) He experience as a doctor.” (Jung, 1974) being skeptical; where indeed there carefully employed the term was danger was when modern man “pseudo-moderns” so as to Thus, modern man becomes a rarity, a was finally enlightened upon his highlight their insincerity priceless jewel buried beneath deep current status, leading him to suffer an manifested by bypassing the layers of soil and stone. But this jewel, “almost fatal shock, psychologically various stages of development despite its indispensable solidarity that speaking, and as a result (he) has fallen and the tasks of life they we previously discussed, was not into profound uncertainty.” (Jung, represent. Again and again, a created ex nihilo, just like all things in 1950) I, too, have just fallen into a

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profound uncertainty of my own: the human unconscious (not to speak which can no longer be where does this leave Jung himself? Is of the collective unconscious whose invested in obsolete religious he a modern man with exclusively a repercussions delve as deep as the forms,” he stated in 1950. Is diagnosis and a prognosis of his clan’s roots of the history of the cosmos the prophecy of Nietzsche condition? Or is he just another itself), and such a perfect mode of life fulfilled? Furthermore, these modern man traumatized by this as fantasized during medieval times movements give themselves a shocking discovery, furthermore by his has been torn to shreds by the exalted scientific veneer, as Jung shocking self-discovery? Was Jung able transcendence of psychology into a continues to notice, signifying to derive this uncertainty through science in its own right. Hence, that they are in pursuit not of introspection or “extrospection”? I was “modern man has lost all the faith, but of knowledge. This is not able to answer this question of metaphysical certainties of his at the very core of the mine, and I will adopt the same stand medieval brother, and set up in their essential nature of modern he himself adopted for his own inquiry place the ideals of material security, man’s system of thought: to by stating that “I am in no way general welfare, and humanitarianism experience the psyche for competent to pass such a judgement.” (Jung, 1950)”, not without a certain itself, by oneself. And this is (Jung, 1950) amount of threat of course. The threat precisely why “there are too primarily lies in the monstrous many persons to whom Regardless, Jung carries on illustrating potential of evil that lurks in the Freudian psychology is dearer the limitations imposed upon tackling abysses of the unconscious, one that than the Gospels” (Jung, such a controversial question as that of we are perhaps disillusioned at times 1950), which is nothing but the spiritual problem of modern man, of having the upper hand over, and history repeating itself, for at chiefly subjective bias and its deceptive consequently over the evil of the whole the time of the Gospels there consequences. But he justifies his world. But do we really? Not were many persons to whom findings through his practice treating everything psychic for which we have Christian faith was dearer “many hundreds of educated persons, gathered profound knowledge is under than the ancient scriptures both sick and healthy, coming from our control. But equally, that does not bestowed upon their ancestral every quarter of the civilized white signify that increasing insight into our prophets by the Almighty. But world; and upon this experience I base hopeless unconsciousness aids the Jung, in his mystical aura, re- my statements.” (Jung, 1950) process of combating this evil at its iterates once more: “and yet Furthermore, he justifies the very human origins, just as Jung himself they are all our brothers, and postulate upon which his findings are implies, “in the same way that science in each of us there is at least based, namely that of psychology as a enables us to deal effectively with one voice which seconds whole, where he claims that once man injuries inflicted from without.” (Jung, them, for in the end there is outgrows his religion, then the psyche 1950) Another threat, which to some is one psyche which embraces us becomes a factor which cannot be perhaps considered a successful all.” (Jung, 1950) The dealt with by the customary measures, achievement, is the rapid and collective unconscious and hence is founded today’s worldwide growth of psychological emerging once more! psychology on experience rather than interest that is rendering modern man on faith or philosophy. The psyche that much more drawn to alternatives of Towards the end of the text, was part of a metaphysical system has religion. Jung points out a good Jung finally states the become acknowledged by the modern number of such manifestations, not spiritual problem of modern man, and that in itself is what only in psychology but almost equally man that is manifesting itself distinguishes modern times (not those in spiritualism, astrology, theosophy, with the West setting the East of Charlie Chaplin of course!) from even parapsychology. “The passionate in turmoil with its science others. The rational world order interest in these movements while the East, with its collapses in front of such a might as undoubtedly arises from psychic energy superior psychic proficiency, is

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throwing the West’s spiritual world epoch” (Jung, 1950), a declaration that into confusion. But Jung dives even was the prelude to the final question deeper and singles out that while the that this man of thought asks: “Is what West is explicitly acting, the East is I have said of modern man really true, implicitly reacting, not by substantively or is it perhaps an illusion?” (Jung, going to the West to do its thing as 1950) Jung concludes on the same the latter is operating, but by fastening Nietzschean spirit he elaborated: a its hold from within the modern man! transparent description, not fearful of Jung reinforces his claim with harsh pessimistic truths, guided by historical examples of the Roman skepticism and driven by self- Empire’s conquest of Asia and its skepticism, and resulting in sheer | | The so-called subsequent becoming Asiatic, an optimism within the framework of science of poll-taking infection being perpetuated even until reasonable moderation. I feel is not a science at all now. This is what finally leads Jung to compelled to quote a whole paragraph declare “it seems to me that we are at this point to support my but a mere only at the threshold of a new spiritual interpretation: necromancy. People are unpredictable by nature, and although “The body lays claim to equal recognition; it exerts the same fascination as the you can take a psyche. If we are still caught in the old idea of an antithesis between mind and matter, this state of affairs must seem like an unbearable contradiction. nation’s pulse, you But if we can reconcile ourselves to the mysterious truth that the spirit is the can’t be sure that the life of the body seen from within, and the body the outward manifestation of nation hasn’t just run the life of the spirit – the two being really one – then we can understand why up a flight of stairs. the striving to transcend the present level of consciousness through F.B. White, The New acceptance of the unconscious must give the body its due, and why recognition of the body cannot tolerate a philosophy that denies it in the Yorker, 1948. name of the spirit. These claims of physical and psychic life, incomparably stronger than they were in the past, may seem a sign of decadence, but they may also signify a rejuvenation, for as Holderlin says: where danger is, arises salvation also.” (Jung, 1950)

And finally, a grand conclusion worthy of the grand introduction’s humility in skepticism: “This is a question only history can answer.” (Jung, 1950) Perhaps the one thing that Jung overlooked here was how history did indeed answer this question… through him!

References | | Jung, C. G., (1950). Modern Man In Search Of A Soul, from the chapter The Spiritual Problem Of Modern Man. New York, Harvest Book. | | Jung, C.G. (1974). Dreams. London, Routledge Classics | | Kant, I., (1784). What Is Enlightenment? Konigsberg, Prussia. | | Nietzsche, F., (1973). Beyond Good And Evil. England, Penguin Classics. | | Nietzsche, F., (1973). Thus Spoke Zarathustra. England, Penguin Classics.

| page 70 | | issue 35 “beautiful” white and black, and a kiss

United Colors!

Serena Irani, PHL311

My attention has been drawn to a Please do not misunderstand me. A I believe that the excellent certain advertisement put out by kiss in itself expresses many qualities idea of unification is being United Colors of Benetton in 1991, such as love, passion, care, admiration distorted by such a revolting which shows a priest gently kissing a or approval and a soft kiss as such is representation. I would nun on her upper lip. As we can typically “beautiful”. But in this case personally suggest different plainly see, the priest is all in black the kissing couple is composed of a choices of subject, especially while the nun is all in white. The celibate priest and of a member of a in view of the fact that obvious meaning is that black and religious congregation. Celibacy and children may be exposed to white races can be united through the religious life also symbolize the such publicity. Directly or interaction, communication and other qualities we have indicated, but indirectly, it may affect their ways, simply through Benetton, despite suppose a way of life which is bound ideas of right and wrong. their differences in dress. by solemn vows including that of What I see as more chastity, that is to say remaining a appropriate for conveying the Now in my opinion, uniting people is a virgin for religious reasons. This is message of love and good idea very well affirmed by the understood in the life of a religious connection would be for Benetton brand. But what strikes me community. example a young black boy is that this particular image is very kissing a young white girl on contradictory. Bringing black and Therefore what I dislike about this the cheek, if one wants to white together is a fine message to advertisement is the conversion of a include male and female, present to the public, particularly to kiss on the lips from a good thing to a white and black, and a kiss. possible clients, but how can this moral bad one, from virtue to sin, in brief principle be clearly understood through from the ethical to the unethical. It is In short, I would rather see an immoral expression? Is a priest no less repulsive and immoral than an the belief in harmony kissing a nun something ethical? I advertisement showing two people of expressed in a manner that would reply to this question with a the same sex embracing each other. would not trouble the simple NO! conscience of anyone.

A troubling advert.

| page 71 | | issue 35 | Raun) (Karen be” I can dream I as much as only see, I can look I as deep as only go, can I seek I as far as only grow, I can reach I as high as “Only page 72 | | 72 | | | Opinion and and Opinion | issue 35 Motivation is neither a fact of experience Motivation is neither a fact of experience nor a fact of behavior, but a concept introduced to explain our reaction Culture in a specified way towards many aspects of life; moreover, any source of drive is able to energize any kind of … ME MOTIVATING 2005, PLEA behavior, response or general activity. Therefore, it is very important to take into consideration the efficient role of academic motivation, as we see in the Architectural PLEA 2005 conference for enhancing our creative abilities in solving design problems. The Architectural PLEA 2005 conference The Architectural PLEA 2005 conference, which was hosted by our fine institution, introduced the concept of The challenge of awareness in developing societies, by discussing passive energy architecture and in particular passive energy architecture and the notion of sustainability. Sustainability is considered as being today’s architectural Sustainability is considered as being today’s architectural challenge, for it is an attempt to endure or uphold the validity of the bioclimatic energy resources for the use of the coming generations: as the quotation clarifies:” We

FAAD-Department of Architecture, NDU Architecture, of FAAD-Department borrow the planet from our children; therefore we are obliged to give it back.” Toward that end, the role of the present architecture, specifically in developing countries, is to search and adopt the energy for change and modification of designing concepts to build a future. In conclusion, motivation is what gets you construct. to how and design to how understand to order in vital is which curiosity, our satisfies it for behavior, on energy academic such of effectiveness the on spotlight the direct to important is it Therefore development. of process the ensures habit while started, you gets what is motivation conclusion, In | | Saro Kenedirjian Saro | Architecture Student Architecture Big Bang Theory 1915-1965

The Big Bang Theory Samer Charabati 1915-1965 Comp. & Com. Eng.

With the development of modern physics, scientists have spent time and effort trying to find a foolproof theory of the origin of the universe. One theory, the Big Bang, has always been at the center of all discussions, and it is the currently accepted explanation of the beginning of the universe.

The big bang theory asserts that the universe originated a finite time ago (around 12 to 15 billion years ago) by expanding from an infinitely compressed state. According to this model, space, time and matter originated together, and the universe has been expanding ever since (Murdin, 2001).

This paper sheds light on key stages in the history of the Big Bang theory. In fact, the chronological elaboration of this theory is just as fascinating as the theory itself. That is what we shall try to demonstrate.

| | Early Theories of the center, was finite but unbounded, | | First Big Bang Models: Universe: Einstein (1915) and and was stable. But soon he Friedmann (1922) and Lemaître De Sitter (1917) discovered a dramatic problem: his (1927) In 1915, Albert Einstein announced equations described a universe that Both Friedmann and Lemaître had a new theory of gravitation, known was expanding. Einstein (like many independently formulated as the General Theory of Relativity. other scientists) was so sure that cosmological models on the basis of According to Einstein, gravity is no the universe had to be static that he general relativity. longer to be described by a introduced a cosmological constant gravitational “field” but rather it is a into his equations, a sort of Russian mathematician and distortion of space and time itself, a “antigravity” force (Hawking, 1988). meteorologist Aleksander Friedmann curve in space – massive objects refused to alter Einstein’s equations such as planets curve space the Based on Einstein’s equations, Dutch simply to stop expansion. same way someone standing on a astronomer Willem de Sitter Friedmann used two assumptions trampoline warps the surface of the published in 1917 a model with a known as the Copernican tramp. Anyone who gets up on the slight variation: he used a constant Cosmological Principle, which states trampoline will slip toward the density of the universe, but set its that, on large scale, the universe is depression the other person has value equal to zero: a universe with isotropic: it looks identical in all made. A planet does the same thing: no matter in it! Although we are directions, and the universe is it creates a warp in space, and fairly convinced that the universe homogenous; it looks identical anything nearby slides toward it does have matter in it, his model of in all locations, if observed from (Fox, 2002). the universe had some interesting anywhere else. features. De Sitter’s universe did Einstein proceeded to apply his new expand over time, but at a constant From these two ideas alone, rule of gravity to the entire cosmos. rate (Fox, 2002). Friedmann showed that we should He created a universe that had no not expect the universe to be static

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(Hawking, 1988). Instead, he Mr. Friedmann’s results are correct In 1928, American astronomer Edwin produced a model that and shed new light.” Nevertheless, Hubble (who had previously proved the expanded over time at different Einstein still didn’t like the concept: existence of other galaxies than the rates, with no cosmological he stuck to his cosmological Milky Way), embarked on a systematic constant and a non-zero constant! (Fox, 2002). cataloguing of galaxies with the help density. This universe began as Again when Lemaître presented his of Milton Humason. Hubble and a baby “universelet” at some primeval atom concept publicly in Humason determined that the few specific point in the past and 1927, Einstein claimed that his galaxies moving toward us are nearby. then evolved into the universe physics were “abominable”, although However, when they observed more we see today (Fox, 2002). he was forced to agree that the math distant galaxies, it was quite a surprise “seemed to work” (Fox, 2002). to find that they all appeared red- While Friedmann’s models were shifted; all were moving away from us! the first to truly predict a (Hawking, 1988). beginning to time, it was the Belgian priest Georges Lemaître | | Discovering the Universe: who first received attention for Slipher, Humason and Hubble | | 1929: The Universe is his Big Bang model. (1912-1928) Expanding The derivation of cosmological theories Hubble pursued his observations and Lemaître observed that if the based on general relativity was measurements, and in 1929 he expansion is followed backward accompanied by a discovery of the announced an amazing result: the size in time, we are led to an initial cosmological structure. (However, the of a galaxy’s red shift is not random, moment of creation involving two developments were largely but is directly proportional to the conditions of extremely high independent; the increased financial galaxy’s distance from us: the farther density. He proposed that the support for astronomy in the United away a galaxy is, the faster it is universe began in the States and the advances in telescopic moving away. And he could predict the radioactive disintegration of a instrumentation improved the nebular pattern: twice as far, twice as fast; “primeval atom”, a large research. General relativity, by contrast, three times as far, three times as fast. explosion that pushed the developed within a central European The theory is now called Hubble’s Law, subsequent expansion of the scientific culture with a strong and it’s crucial because these data universe. His model included a emphasis on abstract mathematics and were the first experimental evidence cosmological constant but pure theory (Baigrie, 2002)). that the universe was expanding. If different than Einstein’s value the universe were basically static, we (Fox, 2002). From 1912, due to advances in would not expect any kind of pattern. telescoping instrumentation, American Galaxies would zoom in different Anecdote astronomer Vesto Slipher, was able to directions, governed only by the effects detect large systematic nebular red of gravity (Fox, 2002). When Friedmann published a shifts (resulting from radial velocities description of his model in of motion away from the Earth, Zeitschrift für Physik in 1922, according to the famous Doppler Einstein quickly responded to Effect.) In other words, starlight the journal, saying that appears redder than it actually is Friedmann’s solution was because the nebula is moving away wrong: “[it] does not satisfy from us. the field equations.” But within a few months, Einstein had to retract: “I consider that

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Anecdote Gamow thought that if the universe Anecdote really did start from one single dense After the discovery of the expanding object in space, then whatever atoms Gamow had a quiet sense of universe, Einstein himself rejected the exist today had to have been created in humor. He put Bethe’s name cosmological constant, saying that its that first explosion, or else they on the paper even though introduction was the “biggest blunder evolved from something so created Bethe had nothing to do of [his] life”. He also admitted later (Fox, 2002). In order to build on his with it. He wanted to make that Lemaître’s lecture on the subject theory, he was initially concerned with the list of authors “Alpher, was one of the best he had ever the problem of stellar nucleogenesis, Bethe, Gamow” like the first heard (Fox, 2002). that is, the process by which heavier three letters of the Greek Lemaître often enjoys the title of elements are synthesized from lighter alphabet, alpha, beta, “Father of Modern Cosmology” elements in the star’s hot and dense gamma, particularly (Baigrie, 2002), which seems a bit core. In 1938, Hans Bethe explicitly appropriate for a paper on unfair to Friedmann. Friedmann died identified the chain of reactions by the beginning of the young, in 1925, and so never saw his which hydrogen is converted to helium universe! He even tried to theories accepted. His work remained in the heart of a star (Baigrie, 2002). persuade Herman to change largely unknown in the West until The idea of a hot furnace similar to the his name to “Delter”! similar models were discovered in core of a star so appealed to Gamow (Hawking, 1988; Fox, 2002). 1935 by American physicist Howard that he wanted to generalize it. He But their work failed to Robertson and the British joined forces with Ralph Alpher and attract much interest. No one mathematician Arthur Walker, in Robert Herman and came out with the at the time viewed their response to Hubble’s discovery of the following: the early universe was prediction as an experimental expansion of the universe (Hawking, dominated by radiation; matter was science subject to testing, and 1988). present at this time in the form of a their research was forgotten… But that still left questions soup consisting of protons, neutrons (Fox, 2002; Baigrie, 2002) unanswered. The simple fact that the and electrons. As the universe universe was expanding, according to expanded helium nuclei were produced the theory of relativity, did not prove from the protons and neutrons and | | 1957: The abundance that it had all begun at a single point, further element formation followed. At of helium or that it was not infinitely old. a certain time, the universe had In parallel with Gamow’s expanded and cooled to such a degree research, a group of English that the matter density exceeded the scientists were developing a | | The Hot Big Bang Model: radiation density. At this time, the competing model called the Gamow, Alpher and Herman universe as we know it was born Steady-State theory. (1948) (Baigrie, 2002). Gamow’s team went so Concerning this theory, we The notion of a disintegrating primeval far as to predict that radiation (in the shall only tackle what was atom was an interesting idea, but it form of photons) from the very hot relevant to our big bang. was difficult to develop it into a early stages of the universe should still consistent quantitative model be around today, but with its Ironically, one of the main describing conditions in the very early temperature reduced to about 5 Kelvin supports for the Big Bang universe. Russian-born physicist George (Hawking, 1988; Baigrie, 2002). (The theory would be the work Gamow was the first to tackle this correct value is 2.7 Kelvin (Sandin, published in 1957, by Fred subject. 1994)) Hoyle along with Will Fowler and Geoffrey and Margaret Burbridge, all supporters of the steady-state theory. They

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compared the amount of Anecdote In June 1964, the two scientists helium in the universe today pointed their antenna at the sky to with the amount that could Another ironic event gave birth to measure any radiation coming in at a be created according to either the name of the Big Bang theory. 7.35 centimeter wavelength. This was of the two theories. The Hoyle, the major advocate of steady- simply a test to see if the antenna was problem involving particle state theory, first pronounced the calibrated. They expected to hear formation in stars had been name “Big Bang” in 1949 during a nothing, since the Milky Way emits raised again. The four BBC radio lecture. He meant it nothing in this spectrum. It was quite a scientists showed that all the mockingly to criticize his scientific shock for them when the antenna heavy elements are produced opponents! Since then, the name has picked up a clear signal at 3 Kelvin in by nuclear reactions in stellar stuck and apparently no other the microwave band. First, Penzias and interiors, so the big bang is scientist has found a more Wilson went over all their adjustments not needed for that appropriate name. A contest was even on the antenna. They did not find any production. But the real organized in the 1990s by the Sky & problem. Then they started pointing the problem was in the creatinon Telescope magazine to find a better telescope in different directions, at of light elements like helium, name, but the competition did not various nearby cities. It did not affect deuterium and lithium. There produce any! (Fox, 2002) the constant 3-Kelvin noise at all. This is so much helium in the (This info reminds me of an analogous radiation was evenly distributed and universe that it could not event in the domain of art. The did not seem to be coming from any have been made just by the impressionist movement gained its name specific star or galaxy. For ten months, stars. It had to come from a as a result of irony too. Monet had they kept searching for alternative larger and hotter furnace. So created a painting and called it explanations. Their best and biggest it was created at an earlier “Impression: Sunrise”. The painting and hope was to get rid of a pair of pigeons time, in an extremely hot baby the whole exhibition did not appeal to art nesting inside the cone of the antenna, universe; a plus for the Big critic Louis Leroy, who mockingly used the and clean all the residue they left Bang theory. But helium itself term “impressionist” to refer to the new behind! (In a paper they wrote, the is not as important as group of painters, meaning that they scientists euphemistically referred to deuterium. Today deuterium is were not real painters, but were just the birds’ droppings as a “white created in the hearts of stars, fooling people by giving them the dielectric material”.) After completely but is instantly destroyed, so “impression” of painting. Today an ridding themselves of the pigeon none escapes. No other impressionist painting would cost problem and cleaning the antenna process has been discovered between 1 million and 50 million dollars!) from top to bottom, the two men that makes long-lived discovered that absolutely nothing had deuterium; hence it is believed changed. The noise remained (Fox, that every atom of deuterium | | 1965: The Microwave Cosmic 2002). today was created in the first Background Radiation minute after the big bang One last pillar was necessary to end At the same time that Penzias and (Fox, 2002). The abundance of the debate and clinch victory for the Wilson were working on this problem, helium and the creation of Big Bang theory. It was the detection a group of astronomers at nearby deuterium constitute the of the microwave background Princeton University were investigating second pillar for the Big Bang radiation. models of the early universe under the theory. direction of Robert Dicke. Without Two freshly graduated PhDs, Arno knowing about Gamow’s work, Dicke Penzias and Robert Wilson, working at had rediscovered the idea that the Bell Laboratories, upgraded an universe had started in an initial outdated antenna to conduct fireball. His model was slightly experiments in radio astronomy. different from Gamow’s but it

| page 76 | | issue 35 Big Bang Theory 1915-1965 predicted a background radiation. And Anecdote the tools now existed to find it. In fact, Dicke and his students Dave Wilkinson In 1978, Penzias and Wilson received and Peter Roll had built from scratch the Nobel Prize for “their discovery of an antenna for that purpose (Fox, cosmic microwave background 2002). radiation”. Or one should rather say: References “for their accidental discovery”! | | Fox, Karen C. (2002). The Big The group of Princeton were just about Bang Theory. New York: John Wiley & Ironically, Penzias and Wilson never Sons. to start their experiments when they intended to search for the | | Murdin, Paul (2001). Big Bang were scooped by Bell Labs’ team. Soon, background radiation. They came up Theory. In Encyclopedia of Astronomy a meeting was arranged between the with the best proof for the Big Bang and Astrophysics (Vol. I, pp. 173- 174). Bristol: Institute of Physics two teams. Dicke realized that the 3- theory at a time Wilson tended Publishing. Kelvin noise was consistent with the toward the steady-state theory, if | | Murdin, Paul (2001). Inflation. In radiation that would have been pressed to choose a model, and Encyclopedia of Astronomy and emitted following the big bang Penzias did not think much of Astrophysics (Vol. II, pp. 1194-1199). Bristol: Institute of Physics (Baigrie, 2002). Both teams wrote cosmology! Wilson said that he did Publishing. papers for Astrophysical Journal Letters, not realize the importance of their | | Baigrie, Brian S. (2002). Penzias and Wilson describing their discovery until he read about it in the Astronomy and cosmology. In History results, and the Princeton group of Modern Science and Mathematics New York Times (Fox, 2002). One is (Vol. II, pp. 60-69). New York: Charles offering the interpretation that this allowed to wonder which group really Scribner’s Sons. was the result of a great, primordial deserves the Nobel Prize: the Bell | | Sandin, T. R. (1994). Essentials of fireball (Fox, 2002). Labs team who accidentally found the Modern Physics. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. radiation, the Princeton group that | | Hawking, Stephen W. (1988). A The discovery of microwave was looking for it, or Gamow’s team brief history of time. New York: background radiation was a turning who predicted it 15 years before. Bantam Books. point in the elaboration of the big bang theory, and in the history of | | After the Big Bang cosmology too, comparable to Hubble’s The big bang theory was then refined 1929 discovery of the red shift relation. by the inflationary theory, according to It provided concrete physical evidence which there was a stage of for the Big Bang theory. There was no exponentially rapid expansion of the immediate explanation for its existence early universe (Murdin, 2001). The in other cosmological models, and most existence of this stage resolves many of the scientific community were problems of the Big Bang theory but tending toward the big bang. After raises other issues. In conclusion, the 1965, high-energy physicists became Big Bang theory is solid, but it is still interested in cosmology and graduate alive, it is still changing. So while courses in it became a regular part of cosmologists admit that they did not astronomy programs at universities solve everything, most would say that (Baigrie, 2002). Our Big Bang theory even if a new theory comes along, it had finally entered the realm of “real” will include many of the Big Bang and science. inflation concepts currently accepted (Fox, 2002). In the same way that Einstein’s relativity did not “correct” Newton’s gravity, but completed it, new theories will not deny the previous ones, but simply improve on them.

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Harold Pinter Nobel Prize 2005

n Thursday, October 13th,the Swedish Academy announced that the Nobel Prize for Literature for the year 2005 had been O awarded to British dramatist Harold Pinter. Justifying the award, the Academy said that this prolific author and political activist “in his dramas reveals the abyss underlying gossip and forces a way into an enclosed field of oppression ... He is generally considered the most eminent representative of the English dramatic theatre in the second half of the 20th century.” Now the word

Pinteresque has come to describe a particular kind of atmosphere to be Here his memory was scarred by the Nobel Prize for Literature found in plays for the theatre. The Academy citation further said: terrifying experience of bombardment “Pinter restored theatre to its basic elements, an enclosed by the Nazi rocket bombs, known as space and unpredictable dialogue, where people are at the V2s. He studied drama at RADA, the mercy of each other and pretence crumbles.” Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and after a period of acting made himself a The award came as a present for his reputation with his play The Guardian 75th birthday, which Pinter had in 1960. During the 1970s his themes celebrated the previous Saturday in became more political, dealing largely Dublin, surrounded by a crowd of with the question of oppression. famous actors. Dramatist, actor and Taking a stand on human rights, he producer, he has also been a poet and openly criticised the bombardment of writer for the cinema. However, Kosovo (in ex-Yugoslavia) and the untiring critic of US President George invasion of Afghanistan. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, he suspended his writing for the After twenty years of marriage with theatre last February in order to devote actress Vivian Marchant, in 1977 Pinter himself to politics. In the year 2003 he divorced her and in 1980 married Lady published a collection of poems Antonia Fraser, a historian. Though entitled War to denounce the war in suffering from cancer of the throat, for Iraq waged by American and British which he underwent chimeotherapy, in forces, which he considered to be 2002 he was still on the stage as an simply an invasion. On February 15th, actor in the National Theatre in 2003, he addressed a crowd in Hyde London. Park in London composed of one-and- a-half million people demonstrating The award to him of the Nobel Prize against their government’s action. for Literature has been warmly applauded by British Culture Secretary birthday Harold Pinter, the son of a Jewish Tessa Jowell, director Sir Peter Hall, th tailor, was born on October 10th, 1930, fellow writer Sir Tom Stoppard, actor in Hackney, a working-class district in and director Sir Alan Aychbourn and 75 the then depressed East End of London. playwright David Hare.

| | -Ed.

| page 78 | | issue 35 Something for your grey matter Crossword

Something for your grey matter

Crossword Across: 1. people from South Arabian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Peninsula 7. graduate degree 9. egg-shaped 11. something 9 10 to be learnt 14. Old Testament prophet 16. the 11 12 13 14 15 small screen 17. self 18. large North American deer 16 17 21. starts a series 22. exists 24. set on fire 26. unpleasant 18 19 20 21 loud noise 28. official registrar 30. popular 22 23 24 25 prophetic name 31. for introducing liquid into the 26 27 28 29 bowel 32. text written by hand or typed 33. life story 30 31 35. small insect 37. inborn 38. odour 40. popular now, 32 33 34 “cool” 41. knowledge (Scottish and poetic) 42. 35 36 37 equine pace 43. porcine domicile 38 39 40

41 42 Down: Christmastime 2. support for 43 sails or flag 3. new word 4. towards 5. ancestress of man 6. mentally healthy 8. How is your English? Fill in with the correct postpositions, in some cases two, cinders 10. company symbol as indicated: 12. half- 13. inert gas, form | | I put ...... my uncle’s for the night. (=Slept and ate at) of lighting 15. abbreviation | | We put our carpets ... in the summer. (=Put in storage) 19. triangular relation 20. | | The Army was used to put ... the disorders. (=Suppress) famous British school 23. | | I’m putting ... going to the dentist’s till tomorrow. (=Postponing) noise eliminator 25. | | I’m putting ... for a job at the Ministry of Labour. (=Applying) timelessness 27. nickel 29. | | I can’t put ...... that horrible noise; it’s driving me round the bend. (=tolerate) in the morning 34. exit for | | I felt very put ... ; they were very rude to me. (=vexed) air 35. demand 36. X in | | You must put your statement ... in writing. Roman numerals 37. woes | | To put it ... one word – NO! 39-three- | | He put me ... by his bad manners. (=offended, discouraged)

| | Answers in the next issue.

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