The Rene Moawad Foundation marked the 25th anniversary of its foundation 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 the UNHCR Representative for Lebanon, 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.

Journalist Katia Mandalaq, who served as master of ceremonies, welcomed participants before May Khalil, head of the Beirut Marathon Association, spoke to attendees about the success of the Rene Moawad Foundation despite 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.”

Lebanon’s trap shooter champion Ray Bassil, on the other hand, stressed that the Rene Moawad Foundation’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese people was more than a slogan.

“It is a call for hope in the future and perseverance. A message that I have conveyed when I became the first Arab women to win the world title in 2016 in a sports dominated by men,” she said.

For his part, Byblos Mayor Ziad Hawat stressed that the Lebanese people continue to stand tall despite all difficulties.

“The Lebanese people can accomplish change in a civilized manner just like we did in Byblos. In partnership with the Rene Moawad Foundation, all towns and villages across Lebanon could come to resemble Byblos provided there is a will and a plan,” Hawat said.

Artist and Poet Rudy Rahme recited a poem before participants and paid tribute to former Minister Michel Edde for his support of the Foundation’s mission.

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. 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,” read part of Edde’s letter.

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.

Here follows his speech in full:

The Rene Moawad Foundation’s long journey cannot be summarized in numbers and projects because every project tells the story of people whose lives have taken a turn for the better with our support: The story of a child who was stripped of his dignity and basic rights and forced to work for 1000 Lebanese pounds per day; The story of a mother who was denied the right to learn and work though she was in need of the additional income to improve her family’s living conditions; The story of a farmer who owns  land but lacks water to irrigate it; The story of a young man and woman with big ambitions but with no expertise and means; The story of a village whose residents have sought the impossible to remain there.

These stories no longer represent a few cases in our society but reflect the harsh reality seen across Lebanon and among all confessions.

Lebanon is no longer the “Switzerland of the Middle East”; Lebanon is no longer green; this is the painful truth.

Imagine that our latest achievement was to clean up, in partnership with the municipality of Sad El Baoucherieh, the garbage that has piled near the site where we had originally planned to organize our event

These challenges require us to join efforts to support families and communities in preserving their Lebanese identity.

The Rene Moawad Foundation believes in the Lebanese people; a people that innovates 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.

The Rene Moawad Foundation aims through its projects to achieve one goal: provide the Lebanese with the means that enable them to live freely and in dignity in their land.

And I can proudly say that a time when public institutions have plunged into corruption and paralysis, the Rene Moawad Foundation has worked relentlessly and succeeded in its mission thanks to its highly qualified team of professionals and its commitment to transparency.

The Rene Moawad Foundation has succeeded in overcoming territorial, sectarian and political barriers to advance societal and human development to the same extent that the Lebanese state has failed on all these fronts.

The Foundation has gained the trust of donor organizations as a trusted partner in the implementation of development projects across Lebanon.

More importantly, the Rene Moawad Foundation has earned the people’s trust and has become an integral part of their lives; people who have let us inside their homes so that we can work hand in hand to rebuild their self-confidence and their belief in their home country.  Today, we aspire to further advance Lebanon’s noble humanitarian values and work toward a better future.

At the Rene Moawad Foundation, we believe and will continue to believe in Lebanon. Despite the mounting obstacles, we will pursue our mission to support the Lebanese remain steadfast on their land.

The ceremony concluded with a series of a short films about the Rene Moawad Foundation’s work in the social, economic and humanitarian fields.

Musician Guy Manoukian wrapped up the event with a live show.