النهار

BEIRUT: The Rene Moawad Foundation marked the 25th anniversary of its start at the end of last week with a celebration honoring Michel Edde at Venue Verde in Mansourieh under the theme "For the Lebanese to remain on their Land."

The ceremony brought together a large number of UN officials and diplomats including the ambassadors of France, Germany, Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Tunisia, Egypt along with Philippe Lazzarini the Deputy UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UNDP resident representative, Mireille Girard.

Also attending were Luca Randa the UNDP country director, Joseph Jabra President of the Lebanese American University, Father Saleem Dakkash President of St. Joseph University, as well as a large gathering of economists, social activists, artists and media representatives.

May Khalil, head of the Beirut Marathon Association, spoke to attendees about the success of the Rene Moawad Foundation amid the difficult circumstances that Lebanon is going through.

"Despite the painful truth that our state institutions are paralyzed and the concerns we have about our future, civil society organizations such as the Rene Moawad Foundation give us hope in the future," Khalil said.

Echoing Khalil, head of the Beirut Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohammad Choucair said the Chamber was committed to working in partnership with the Rene Moawad Foundation to promote social development and bolster economic growth.

Michel Edde, who could not attend the ceremony for health reasons, sent a letter recalling his warm relation with late president Rene Moawad.

"To this day, I still ask myself why Rene Moawad was assassinated? Why a man of moderation and dialogue who believed in a multicultural Lebanon was killed," read the letter.

"Why him of all people? To this day, I'm convinced that Rene Moawad would have changed the course of Lebanon's history if he had the opportunity to lead the country as president...May God protect Lebanon," Edde's letter said.

Rose Choueiry received the honorary award -- a sculpture designed by Rahme -- on behalf of Edde. Shortly after, Michel Moawad, the Foundation's Executive Director, addressed participants.

"The Rene Moawad Foundation believes in the Lebanese people; a people that innovate when presented the opportunity abroad. But why do we have to emigrate to succeed? We shouldn't. We want to work, live in dignity, succeed and raise our children in Lebanon," said Moawad.

"The Foundation has earned the people's trust and has become an integral part of their lives....so that we can work hand in hand to rebuild their belief in their home country," he noted.

"Today, we aspire to further advance Lebanon's noble humanitarian values and work toward a better future," Moawad said.