In partnership with the USAID-funded Community Support Program, Notre Dame University-Louaize’s North Lebanon Campus (NDU-NLC) launched its "Sorting at Source" campaign on campus and conducted its inaugural awareness-raising session on March 14, 2024. The event began with the National Anthem and University Anthem, followed by an introduction by Mrs. Elsy Kfoury Gerges, NLC Officer of University Advancement, who welcomed the NDU North Campus Director, Reverend Fr. François Akl, to the stage. In his address, Fr. Akl emphasized the significance of the waste management sorting initiative, highlighting the intrinsic connection between hygiene and societal values. He stressed that cleanliness entails more than just physical cleanliness, encompassing moral and cultural aspects such as promoting harmony with others and preserving the environment. Fr. Akl expressed appreciation for the collaboration with USAID and CSP, underscoring the significance of personal responsibility in maintaining one's environment and emphasizing the importance of not only cleaning up messes but also preventing them in the first place.
Dr. Fares Zein, CSP Director of Technical Assistance, expressed gratitude for everyone's attendance. He provided an overview of the ongoing collaboration between USAID and NDU, which has been ongoing for two years, including scholarships and a knowledge management portal in collaboration with NDU’s main campus. The waste management campaign represents the inaugural collaboration with NLC, serving as a component of a broader Solid Waste Management project aimed at promoting environmentally friendly sorting practices across the Koura region.
Elie Madi, an expert in solid waste management, explained the “sorting from source” campaign at NDU, highlighting good sorting practices through which the University can optimize the process and support the BMRF revenues. He underscored the University's role as an example for the community and emphasized the significance of waste management education. The students were emphasized as essential to the campaign's success, tasked with actively sorting waste and promoting behavioral change.
Nada Hamze, CSP Senior Digital Media and Outreach Advisor, expressed gratitude to the University interns and campaign team, outlining the educational aspects of the campaign. She encouraged student collaboration and contribution, explaining the awareness-raising program which includes awareness stands and booths. She urged everyone to share the message and take a role in the sorting from source and waste management efforts.
During the Q&A session, Dr. Dorine Haddad, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics (FBAE), explained the difference between intentions and behavior and the role of government in promoting waste management. She emphasized the importance of trust and regular updates to ensure tangible results. In her turn, Alice Aazar, CSP Technical Assistance Deputy Director and Project Manager of this campaign, elaborated on the outcomes achieved in municipalities and the importance of cultural awareness in waste management initiatives, highlighting the need for incentives beginning with schools.
Further highlights and questions also took place, focusing on the importance of targeting schools as well as the necessity of not only sorting waste but also reducing it.