Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) has won the “SDG Milestones Award” in the academia category!
NDU was presented with the award, during the “Multi-Stakeholder SDG Forum” held on October 18, 2018, in the Grand Serail, under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and in the presence of H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland, at the Grand Serail.
The event was organized to recognize and highlight the outstanding efforts of Lebanese businesses and organizations that have adopted and implemented the necessary actions toward the advancement of the 2030 agenda in Lebanon. This ceremony brought together members from the Lebanese network to highlight the most significant achievements of their companies, involving CSR initiatives and their advancements toward achieving the 17 SDGs, the 10 principles of the UNGC and the 2030 agenda.
For its part, NDU has demonstrated dedication toward the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals through the initiatives and projects articulated around the 5P’s of development: People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership.
Master of Ceremonies NDUer Dr. Hasan Youness, GCNL Strategic Adviser, welcomed the audience and gave an overview of the forum.
MP Dr. Dima Jamli, President of the UN Global Compact Lebanon, said, “I stand before you today to renew our pledge to realize the 2030 agenda.”
PM Hariri, said, “Building effective partnerships with the private sector ensure the financing and effective achievement of the SDG agenda in Lebanon.”
Princess Victoria said, “We only arrived in Lebanon yesterday, and we are already impressed by the beauty of your country and your hospitality.” She added, “Lebanon and Sweden are countries by the sea; they both have the same mission to create and inspire.”
In a short interview conducted with NDU President Fr. Pierre Najem after having received the award on behalf of the University, he said, “We believe in partnerships. We took part in this project as per NDU’s goal and role at every level: community, global, environmental, climatic, and human. By so doing, we ensure that we provide the best service and improve the human condition.”
He concluded, “NDU introduced an innovative environmental sustainability model that brings together initiatives, aligning the University mission with Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment and human ecology: “Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si').”