Lebanon has launched a transformative education initiative called The School of Citizenship, aiming to promote peace, resilience, and civic responsibility among students. The programme focuses on building values of coexistence, human rights, and sustainable development through education. Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and UNESCO, the project seeks to empower young people to actively participate in shaping a peaceful and inclusive society.
I am writing about this initiative because it represents hope and progress in a country that has long faced political instability and economic challenges. Education, in this context, is not just about learning subjects—it’s about rebuilding social trust and national unity. Lebanon’s “School of Citizenship” highlights how education can become a tool for healing, tolerance, and civic engagement. It is a model that other countries dealing with conflict or division can also learn from, as it shifts the focus from textbooks to human values and emotional resilience.
About the “School of Citizenship” Initiative
The School of Citizenship is part of Lebanon’s effort to integrate civic education, social responsibility, and emotional learning into mainstream schooling. This initiative is being led by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education with support from UNESCO, the European Union, and other international partners. It aims to strengthen both public and private education systems by introducing citizenship-based learning materials and teacher training modules.
Objectives of the Programme
The project is designed to help students:
- Understand and practise democratic values and civic rights.
- Develop emotional intelligence and empathy through participatory learning.
- Build resilience to conflict, misinformation, and social pressures.
- Engage in community service and problem-solving projects.
- Promote gender equality, cultural diversity, and sustainable development goals.
Key Components of the Project
The School of Citizenship focuses on three main pillars:
- Curriculum Development:
The new curriculum introduces subjects related to civic education, peace studies, and ethics. It also includes interactive activities that encourage critical thinking and open dialogue among students. - Teacher Training and Capacity Building:
Educators are being trained to use participatory teaching methods, handle sensitive discussions in classrooms, and guide students towards peaceful conflict resolution. - Community and School Partnerships:
The project encourages collaboration between schools, local communities, and NGOs. This helps students apply classroom learning to real-world social projects, promoting active citizenship at the grassroots level.
UNESCO’s Role and Support
UNESCO has been a key partner in the planning and implementation of this initiative. Through technical assistance and policy guidance, the organisation is helping Lebanon design a modern education framework that aligns with the Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) principles. The EU’s financial support has also played a major role in ensuring that the programme reaches remote and under-resourced schools across the country.
Why It Matters
Lebanon’s education system has suffered deeply due to years of crisis—from economic collapse and political instability to the Beirut port explosion. In such a fragile environment, promoting peace and civic values through education becomes crucial. The School of Citizenship is not just an academic reform—it’s a national effort to restore hope and unity through classrooms. It shows how schools can serve as safe spaces for learning, healing, and rebuilding social bonds.
The Way Forward
Over the next few years, the Lebanese government plans to expand the programme to reach all regions. The aim is to institutionalise citizenship education in every school and make it a permanent part of the national curriculum. Continuous collaboration between educators, policymakers, and civil society will determine how successful the initiative becomes in shaping a more peaceful and resilient Lebanon.
