| Thursday, 26 November 2009 | |
The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon, in cooperation with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut, organized a ceremony on 23 October 2009, to mark the UN Day and later in the day a reception was held by the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams to celebrate the occasion. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) and the Irish-Lebanese Cultural Foundation participated in the Kaslik event, which was also held under the auspices of the Information Minister Tarek Mitri. The ceremony was attended by Mitri, senior clergymen, representatives from UN agencies in Lebanon, diplomats and a number of students. Presentations were made by Chief of Staff of UNSCOL Jack Christofides, UNIC Beirut Director Bahaa Elkoussy, UNIFIL Spokesperson Yasmina Bouziane and Chairman of the Irish-Lebanese Cultural Foundation Guy Younes (Ireland WLCU chapter). The presentations focused on the history of the UN, some of its achievements in Lebanon and worldwide, and on the role of UNIFIL. Elkoussy also briefed the audience on the basic facts and structure of the UN, as well as the various achievements of UN agencies in Lebanon. The UN Day reception later in the evening at the Sursock Gardens in Beirut was attended by high-ranking figures, including representatives of the President, House Speaker and the Prime Minister, as well as members of parliament, ministers, diplomats, UN partners in Lebanon, UN staff and the media. Meanwhile, the United Nations Economic and Social Change for Western Asia (ESCWA) Staff Council marked the UN Day at the UN House in Beirut on 23 October, by hosting a perception for the staff members. |