The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs
Meets with the President of the Lebanese University Professor Bassam Badran
Discussions Centered on Prospects for Cooperation
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, accompanied by Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of the MECC Programs for Dialogue, Social Cohesion and the Restoration of Human Dignity, met with the President of the Lebanese University Professor Bassam Badran. The meeting was attended by Dean Professor Marlene Haidar, Dean Professor Habib Kazzi, Professor Ali Rammal, Professor Hassan Zein El-Dine, and Professor Nadim Mansoury.
The meeting focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between the Middle East Council of Churches and the Lebanese University, as well as on developing partnership opportunities between the two institutions in the academic, research, cultural, and social fields.
During the meeting, Professor Abs presented an overview about the history of the Middle East Council of Churches and the circumstances surrounding its establishment, highlighting the major milestones that have shaped its work over the past five decades. He also outlined its mission and role in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, and social cohesion, as well as in serving people and safeguarding their dignity in the societies of the region.
The participants also discussed the possibility of developing joint initiatives between the Council and the Lebanese University and making use of the University’s extensive academic and research expertise in addressing issues of common interest.
At the end of the meeting, Professor Abs presented to Professor Badran the commemorative medal marking the Golden Jubilee of the Middle East Council of Churches, on the occasion of its 50th Year of its Founding, in recognition of the Lebanese University and its academic and national role.
He also presented to him an electronic copy of the MECC publication entitled "The Middle East Council of Churches: Complete Record of 23 Symposiums, Round Tables, and Webinars of the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Rehabilitation Program."
For his part, the President of the Lebanese University Professor Bassam Badran presented to the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs a book featuring a collection of artworks by the artist Nizar Daher, released by the Lebanese University Publications. The gesture reflects the importance of culture and knowledge in building bridges of communication and cooperation between academic and community institutions.
