Article by Cyril Salloum
FPSIR, Faculty of Political Science and International Relations
“The energy and idealism of youth are the catalysts for progress and change in every society” once said the former United Nations General Secretary, Kofi Annan and from that starting point, during the month of September, Amel Association International in collaboration with Caritas Lebanon and Caritas Austria launched its latest initiative funded by the European Union (EU) entitled “Advocates by Design” where different individuals and groups across multiple Lebanese universities had to present a form of visual (poster, flyer, video, carousel…) advocating for migrant domestic workers’ rights in Lebanon targeting especially the Kafala System as the legal sponsorship system employed in the country leading to major human rights abuses and violations.
Multiple groups from various faculties at Université La Sagesse (ULS) presented their candidacy and submitted their work with respect to the guidelines and the agenda set by the association. Following weeks of preparation, attending workshops, training sessions and meetings with migrant domestic workers, the association held on Sunday the 13th of December at Saint Joseph Church – Bourj Hammoud, the closing awards ceremony of the competition marking the Migrants International Day.
Following the projects’ presentation by the participants in front of a specialized jury composed of: Dr. Zeina Mohanna; programs and partnership coordinator at Amel Association, Mr. Bassam Al Kantar; communication and advocacy advisor at the association and Mr. Adeola Popoola; administrative officer at the Embassy of Nigeria in Lebanon and an audience of migrant domestic workers from different countries, two groups representing ULS and particularly from its Faculty of Political Science and International Relations (FPSIR) won the two awards at stake for the competition.
Anthony Abi Abdallah and Myriam Helou, Master’s FPSIR students won the first prize award following their presentation of a carousel combined with a small type of comic advocating for the total abolition of the “Kafala” System, awarding them the Jury Award.
While the Migrants Award, attributed based on the votes of the audience formed of migrant domestic workers, was awarded to Cyril Salloum, Dolly Haidamous and Ilyana Krayem, bachelor’s FPSIR students who won the second prize award following their presentation of a poster viable for both physical display on the streets and public spaces and digital display as virtual content on social media platforms advocating for the ratification of the ILO 189/2011 Convention targeting mainly judicial rights of migrant domestic workers as a step towards the abolition of the “Kafala” System.
Following the awards ceremony, the jury and migrants thanked the participants for their work and efforts put in for the competition while reiterating on the necessity of producing a change for the betterment of their conditions. At the end, the migrant workers representing multiple African countries performed traditional dances as a gesture to enhance cross-cultural exchange and communication.
This competition stood as a unique, powerful, and fruitful opportunity showcasing the abilities of ULS students and particularly FPSIR students from both Bachelor’s and Master’s programs to present innovative and creative advocacy platforms and content in order to defend basic human rights concepts being dignity and equality. The competition transformed in the eyes of ULS’ students as a platform for human rights activism capable of influencing the local and national public opinions and potentially the state’s agenda.
