IUL is committed to providing meaningful education around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across various academic programs. This commitment is embedded in the university’s curricula, which integrates SDG-related topics into specific courses across disciplines. For instance:

• Environmental Science and Sustainability Programs: Courses focus on climate action, sustainable resource management, and environmental conservation, directly aligning with SDGs related to climate change and life on land and below water.
• Public Health Programs: These courses address SDGs related to health and well-being, covering topics such as global health challenges, access to healthcare, and the role of social determinants in health outcomes.
• Business and Economics Programs: In these programs, students engage with SDGs related to economic growth, responsible consumption and production, and fostering innovation and infrastructure development.
• Social Sciences and Education: These programs incorporate SDGs focused on poverty alleviation, quality education, gender equality, and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.

This broad integration ensures that students across various fields of study are not only aware of the SDGs but also prepared to actively contribute to their achievement through academic learning, research, and community involvement. Additionally, IUL offers workshops, seminars, and extra-curricular activities that further emphasize the importance of SDG-related action, reinforcing a culture of sustainability and social responsibility across the university community.

HARIRI AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE 2030 SDGS: WE CAN OVERCOME OUR DIFFERENCES AND DEVELOP THE COUNTRY

 

NNA – President of the Council of Ministers Saad Hariri considered that our problem in the country is our political differences, but this does not mean that we cannot overcome them and develop the country.

Hariri stressed that sustainable development must be adopted in all ministries and state sectors to develop ourselves and the country.

Hariri’s words came during his patronage this afternoon at the Grand Serail the launching of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He said : “I want to talk about the goals of the SDGs from a different angle. First, why do we want to achieve these goals? What are they? And why are we exerting all this effort and working on them? What is Lebanon’s interest in implementing these goals? We are a small country, and you know all its problems and misfortunes. But what we have today applies to all the countries of the world. 

What is required from us today as a government and as Lebanese is to develop ourselves and change some old laws to get the country out of this deteriorating economic situation.

The idea of the SDGs started in the United Nations. What applies to Lebanon applies to many countries in the world, even those with tremendous potential and with GDPs in trillions of dollars have their own problems in education, water and all the seventeen points of the GDPs.

What we did in this government and the previous one with Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani is that we looked at the SDGs process, formed committees and started work. Now he is preparing to have a joint paper and coordination between all departments. 

Our problem in Lebanon is that every ministry works as if it were alone, and this is unacceptable, because all the ministries and all ministers and even I as Prime Minister, the President and the Speaker work to serve the citizen. 

Therefore, a standard has been set at the United Nations on how to develop ourselves, and we have to apply this standard, not for the United Nations but to develop ourselves as Lebanese, because we retreated and today we have to redevelop ourselves.”

He added: “In this sense, any non-cooperating ministry is responsible for keeping Lebanon back. For me and for all of you, the SDGs are the main objective. The idea of sustainable development is not charity or philanthropy. All ministries must cooperate to achieve these goals. We used to say that Lebanon is a country of educated people and take pride in the Lebanese wherever they are and say that wherever the Lebanese goes, he succeeds, but not in Lebanon.Our problem in this country is political, our problem lies in our differences, but that does not mean that we cannot advance the country. The work we are doing today in the government and in the committees that I chair is to get the country out of this crisis. But in the medium and long terms, we are moving towards achieving the SDGs.”

He concluded: “I thank Mr. Lazzarini and all the ministers involved in this project, as well as the Parliament, which is heavily involved in this program. The most important thing is cooperation. I will follow with each ministry individually to ascertain the level of its cooperation in implementing these goals, because it is in the best interests of our children.So I thank everyone, all the present ministers, Mrs. Claudine Aoun, the present MPs and general directors. I salute you for working day and night. We want to regain confidence and the only way to do that is to let the world see that procedures are taken, work is being done, goals are implemented and we apply everything we talk about. We must confess when we have delays in achievements, and there must be transparency in the way we work. So thank you all and back to work.”

 

Lazzarini

For his part, the Deputy UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Philippe Lazzarini delivered the following speech: 

I am delighted to take part in the launch of the Lebanon SDG Vision 2030 under the guidance of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani.

Agenda 2030 is the most ambitious anti-poverty and pro-planet agenda ever adopted by all United Nation Member States. It tackles the root causes of poverty, addresses challenges ranging from poverty and hunger eradication, gender equality, climate change to peace, justice and strong institutions to name a few.

“Four years after its endorsement, it has become apparent that we are far from where we need to be. We are off track”. Those were the words of the UN secretary General Antonio Guterres last week during the high-level political forum on sustainable development. He added: “Deadly conflicts, the climate crisis, gender-based violence, and persistent inequalities are undermining efforts to achieve the goals. Indeed, the wealth around the world is held by people who could fit around a conference table. Uneven growth, rising debt levels, heightened global trade tensions are creating new obstacles to implementation. Youth unemployment remains at alarming levels. Global hunger is unfortunately on the rise. No country is on track to meeting the goal of gender equality – without which none of the others will be met, and in fact, the gap in several is growing. One million species are in danger of extinction. And at the current pace, almost 500 million people could remain in extreme poverty by 2030. We must step up our efforts. And we must do it now”.

And, Lebanon is no exception: 30% of the Lebanese live under the poverty line, only 37% of the population have access to safe drinking water, 70% of natural water sources in Lebanon are bacterially contaminated. 5% of Parliamentarians are women, one of the lowest in the world, and women’s participation in economic life is only 26%. Lebanon was ranked the 138 least corrupt country out of 180 perceived corrupt countries in 2018. And, Beirut has seen the level of air pollution double the European Environment

Agency’s yearly recommended average, to name few examples.

There is no doubt that there is an urgent need for action, for bold action, especially at a time of economic uncertainties and anxiety about the future.

In addressing the challenges in Lebanon related to equality, economic growth, governance and the environment, the national SDG Vision 2030 presents a unique opportunity to develop an ambitious but achievable shared aspiration and trajectory, for the next ten years and beyond.

The good news is that a lot of efforts have already been invested in it.

Whilst we have not seen one comprehensive Lebanon development plan for decades, we have over the last two years witnessed the emergence of key initiatives such as:

The Government vision for stabilization, growth and employment, which was presented at CEDRE. The McKinsey plan that focuses on the diversification of the productive sectors. 

And, various sectoral strategies are currently being developed, including water, health and education, electricity, as well as number of national action plans or strategies. 26 such stepping stones were outlined in Lebanon’s Voluntary National review last year.

So, let us make good use of these initiatives. The SDG Vision 2030 provides a unique opportunity to bring all these strategies and plans together under one integrated and prioritized vision.

Moving forward, the 2030 SDG Vision should clearly articulate the future Lebanon the Lebanese people would like to live in by 2030 and beyond. It must articulate a clear vision for the future of the country and stress how its rich resources can responsibly be handed over to future generations. 

To do so, it must address all facets of sustainable development: whether economic, environmental, and social, as well as the governance and the partnerships required to achieve this. The SDG Vision 2030 must move beyond the unidimensional focus on economic growth, to ensure development gain achieved does not leave anyone behind, and importantly protect environmental resource.

We are living a time of challenges, but also a time of opportunities and a time to think of new solutions. Today it is time to act.

At the climate action summit last week, ambitions were radically elevated. 77 countries committed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Companies committed to shift business operations towards biodiversity protection, regenerative farming, and reversing the damaging deforestation trends caused by food companies. And earlier this month an SDG-linked bond valued at USD 1.5 billion was issued for the first time signaling that the financial market is ready for sustainable investing.

To underline the urgency of taking action, I again refer to the UN Secretary General, who last week issued a global call for a “Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs by 2030”. We all must do more to address the challenges of today and tomorrow and make sure that no one is left behind.

This also applies to Lebanon where reforms and new ways of dealing with resource are urgently needed. There is no time to waste. In our meeting this week, you told me, Prime Minister, that action and delivering is the only way forward.

Lebanon has over the past years demonstrated its commitment to 2030 Agenda. Since endorsing it in 2015, the Government has taken several critical steps, including the establishment of the National Committee on SDGs. The country presented its first Voluntary National Review in June 2018 providing an overview on Lebanon’s progress towards achieving the SDGs. A Parliamentary body on SDGs has been established to enable Parliament to play its legislative and oversight role with the 2030 Agenda at its core.

Moreover, the Global Compact Network in Lebanon is connecting businesses, leaders and experts, pushing for further action towards the 2030 Agenda.

We are meeting today to kick off the process, which will bring together all these initiatives together under the banner – Lebanon SDG Vision 2030.

The SDGs concern all of us and its implementation requires collective action.

While the Government of Lebanon is taking the lead, it cannot do it alone.

Partnerships among Government, Parliament, private sector, civil society and citizens are critical to achieve the desired progress.

Moving forward the SDG Vision 2030 will also rely on having data available to inform policy decisions. Data will also be critical to measure our progress and the positive impact the actions taken have on people. 

The UN looks forward to work hand in hand with Lebanon in the development and implementation of the Lebanon SDG Vision 2030, in a close partnership with Deputy Prime Minister Hasbani as well as all line ministries as well as civil society and the private sector.

Finally, the SDG Vision 2030 will be the centerpiece guiding for the future partnership between Lebanon and the UN. It will not only set out the vision and priorities for the future of Lebanon, it will also be the platform for how Lebanon wants to use the services of its United Nations. In very practical terms, it will underpin the collective efforts of the UN in Lebanon in line with your agreed national priorities, under a Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which will come to effect in 2022.

I am happy to be a part of the beginning of such an important process and I am looking forward to the launch next year of the Lebanon SDG Vision 2030.

IUL RANKED THIRD AMONG LEBANESE UNIVERSITIES IN TIMES GLOBAL RANKINGS

 

The Islamic University of Lebanon has confidently applied for the first time to the times higher education classification under the supervision of the University President, Professor Dr. Dina Al Mawla, and with the participation of a large group of experts in the disciplines of the university. The classification is based on performance measures based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which cover the areas of quality education, scientific research and wise leadership, where universities provide detailed files on their work within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are embodied in the 17 goals and 169 long-term goals set by the United Nations as a global call to action for all, as a global call to action. Ending poverty and protecting the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals requires a partnership between governments, the private sector, civil society and citizens alike.

UNDP helps countries in the Arab region address the challenges of poverty, vulnerability, inequality and exclusion in economically, socially and environmentally sustainable ways aimed at promoting prospects for inclusive growth, employment and livelihoods at the national and local levels.

After a comprehensive study of thousands of files for higher education institutions around the world, the Islamic university of Lebanon was classified:

 

First among Lebanese universities in the fourth goal file on the quality of education, which aims to ensure the quality of equitable and inclusive education, which leads to enhanced lifelong educational opportunities. 

Second- third among lebanese universities to evaluate four of the objectives they participated in:

• Goal 1:to eradicate poverty in all its forms and to ensure that all, especially the poorest, have access to all resources, particularly equitable and quality higher education for the most vulnerable and economically, socially and environmentally marginalized populations.
• Goal ii (no. 4):to ensure equal access to quality and affordable higher education for all and to eliminate gender inequality, including those with special needs to acquire the skills needed to support sustainable development by focusing on increasing the number of school grants for all segments of society without discrimination.
• Goal iii (no. 16):the islamic university of lebanon ensures the development of peace and justice in strong institutions, promotes the existence of peaceful societies inclusive for sustainable development, provides access to justice in accordance with the principle of equity and justice and commends the building of effective institutions at all accountable levels.
• Goal iv (no. 17):without which none of the other goals can be achieved, it is entrusted with reviving the global partnership for sustainable development through a shared vision between countries and communities and the extent to which means are provided to achieve them and provides a demonstration of means of implementation, including funding, technology, capacity-building and knowledge for the exchange of ideas and the promotion of innovation.

 

Thirdly, in Arabic, the University ranked 22nd in Arab universities, where it participated in the classification of the International Foundation (Times Higher Education) 128 universities from the Arab world. 

Fourthly, globally in the category (301-400) of the 1,100 universities ranked from 93 countries according to the overall rate of targets that received the highest rating among the 17 goals set by the united nations and which the universities were renowned for their excellence.

 The Islamic university of Lebanon was able to achieve this achievement from the first participation in the classifications and chose 11 goals the work of experts and specialists in the preparation of its files and promised dr. mawla to participate in the university next year with the 17 goals set by the United Nations and to obtain higher ratings.

 

The Times Rating: A white achievement in a black time for the Islamic university of Lebanon

The islamic university won the third ranking among lebanese universities and advanced to big names in the higher education industry in lebanon as well as in the arab world, where it also won the ranking of 22 advanced” universities that have graduated over the decades elite arab leaders and pioneers

It is not an “ordinary” news story published late last month about the classification of the Islamic university of Lebanon on the times list of higher education, which deals with the progress of university institutions around the world in achieving the united nations sustainable development goals known as the 2030 goals.
“It’s not normal” because it’s good news coming from a country where we’re black to touch the darkness, especially since the university is one of the relatively new universities” known as the 2000 decree universities. or third-tier universities, which remain in doubt until further notice because some of those in this category have produced behaviors that lack good educational management and are not based on the high message of education.
the Islamic university has won the third ranking among Lebanese universities and has made big names in the higher education industry in Lebanon as well as in the Arab world, where it has also won 22 advanced rankings” on universities that have graduated for decades with elite Arab leaders and pioneers.
The university has dissolved the first classification in the quality of education (the quality of education, which aims to ensure the quality of equitable and inclusive education, which leads to enhanced opportunities for lifelong education, according to the goals of 2030) among Lebanese universities, which is given to stop, because when we talk about the quality of education, there is a complex network of investment inputs that begin with the quality of programs through “laboratory technology to the quality of the educational staff and the classroom and extracurricular approaches, the most important of which are self-development programs for students.”

Who can continue?

We stop at this point because the entire education system is now under accountability in Lebanon with weak investment in university inputs, especially after the widespread economic collapse as of 2019, and with the increasing migration of the best professors and university researchers from Lebanon. the classification mentioned in these particular circumstances is proof that the new universities are not bad for the sentence and as a whole they are new and have elements of life and development.
Few universities are able to continue, especially the new category, but this classification will help in the natural path of selecting the best and dying the least able to live and sustain.
the law of survival for the better has never been heeded” for the large number of money, not for the noise of propaganda, but for achievements at times when it is difficult to achieve. that’s what struck me so much,” he said in the times rankings.
Congratulations to the university president a.d. Dina al-mawla and the professors, organ and students of the Islamic university of Lebanon.

National news agency publication

The Islamic University of Lebanon announced in a statement that it “has confidently applied for the first time to the Times Higher Education rankings, under the supervision of its president Dr. Dina Al Mawla and the participation of a large group of experts in the disciplines of the university.

The classification is based on performance measures based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which cover the areas of quality education, scientific research and wise leadership, where universities provide detailed files on their work within the SDGs, which are embodied in the 17 goals and 169 long-term goals set by the United Nations as part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan for a Sustainable Future for All, and all Member States have adopted the Goals since 2015, known as the Global Goals, as a global goal. “A global call to work to end poverty and protect the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals requires a partnership between governments, the private sector, civil society and citizens alike.”

UNDP helps countries in the Arab region address the challenges related to poverty, vulnerability, inequality and exclusion in economically, socially and environmentally sustainable ways, and aims to enhance prospects for inclusive growth, employment and livelihoods at the national and local levels,” she said.

After comprehensively studying thousands of files for higher education institutions in the world, they were classified as:

First, among Lebanese universities, the fourth goal on the quality of education aimed at ensuring the quality of equitable and inclusive education, which enhances lifelong educational opportunities.

Second- third among Lebanese universities to assess four of the objectives they participated in:

Goal 1: to eradicate poverty in all its forms and to ensure that all, especially the poorest, have access to all resources, particularly equitable and quality higher education for the most vulnerable and economically, socially and environmentally marginalized populations.

Goal ii (no. 4): to ensure equal access to quality and affordable higher education for all and to eliminate gender inequality, including those with special needs to acquire the skills needed to support sustainable development by focusing on increasing the number of school grants for all segments of society without discrimination.

Goal 3 (no. 16): characterized by the Islamic university of Lebanon, it guarantees the development of peace and justice in strong institutions and promotes the existence of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. it also provides access to justice in accordance with the principle of equity and justice and commends the building of effective institutions at all accountable levels.

Goal iv (no. 17): without which none of the other goals can be achieved, it is entrusted with reviving the global partnership for sustainable development through a shared vision between countries and communities and the extent to which means are provided to achieve them and provides a demonstration of means of implementation, including funding, technology, capacity-building and knowledge for the exchange of ideas and the promotion of innovation.

Thirdly, in Arabic, the University ranked 22nd in Arab universities, with 128 universities from the Arab world participating in the world’s education higher times ranking.

Fourthly, globally in the category (301-400) of the 1,100 universities ranked from 93 countries according to the overall rate of targets that received the highest rating among the 17 goals set by the united nations and participated in universities according to their excellence.”

“the Islamic university of Lebanon has achieved this achievement from the first participation in the rankings and has selected 11 goals, and experts and specialists have worked on preparing its own files, and dr. mawla promised that the university will participate next year with the 17 goals set by the united nations and obtain higher ratings.”

 

Youth call on training to advocate for sustainable development goals launched by Safir program

deadline for applications: may 31, 2

Terms of affiliation

– you are between 18 and 30 years of age.

– you are from or live in the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia

be a student, graduate, employee, job seeker, entrepreneur, or civil society participant.

Evaluation reviews

The candidates will be evaluated based on the above criteria but above all on their clear interest in issues related to development, advocacy for the sustainable development goals as well as their motivation to participate in a travel project.

Goal:

For six months, these sessions will be carried out by 21 civil society organizations partnering in a travel program.

Training is scheduled to start from September 2021 to February 2022. this annual regional event is organized by the economic and social commission for western Asia (ESCWA) as part of preparations for the high-level political forum for sustainable development in new York to provide an opportunity to share insights and recommendations on the sustainable development goals.

To apply, please email: [email protected]

For more information: Programme Safir: Appel à candidature – Formation au plaidoyer en faveur des Objectifs de développement durable – AUF

 

FREE WEBINAR- Resource Efficiency & Sustainable Consumption

 

Webinar on Climate Action in Construction and Building Industry

SAVE THE DATE-16 SEPTEMBER 2021 – Webinar on Climate Action in Construction and Building Industry

As part of the efforts to enhance climate action among arab youth, the Islamic University of Lebanon, Yarmouk University, and Tanta University in collaboration with the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA), are organizing a Webinar on Climate Action in Construction and Building Industry. The Webinar will convene experts on climate change, green urban planning, and Construction material with university students from Arab countries.

In the webinar the speakers will go over:
➢ Improve understanding on the importance of addressing climate change in the Construction and Building Industry and the role of Arab youth in enhancing climate action in the region.
➢ Promote a science-policy interface through showcasing a comprehensive scientific assessment of the impacts of climate change on key sectors in the Arab region, based on findings from RICCAR, and how it supports climate-informed policymaking.
➢ Highlight the role of climate-responsive, green economy policy frameworks at the national and city levels, with examples from Jordan.
➢ Raising awareness about the impacts of construction materials on climate change and discussing ways to mitigate the environmental footprint of construction materials using innovative methods and technologies.

Logistics:
The webinar will be held via Zoom on Thursday, September 16th 2021 at 17:00 Beirut time
Register Today!
CLICK THE LINK TO REGISTER!
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArcuyvqD8jHddEU96dPyjSRUyZXBrnwddu