Schools fromall Lebanese regions propose innovative ideas in the first phase of Mashrou3 l Jil l Jdid

Beirut, February, 2015:Mashrou3 l Jil l Jdid was launched for the fifth consecutive year with the support of multi-talented Lebanese actor Georges Khabbaz. Khabbaz, who is known for his attachment to his country and his roots and his encouragement of the youth in Lebanon, participated on a pro bono basisin a short promotional film to launch the project on the Internet. This innovative socio-educational project was launched by Bel group for the Near and Middle East, represented by Picon, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and in cooperation with local NGO Arcenciel. The project consists of six phases, the first of which has been completed.It consists of educating children and helping them devise ideas that will improve the country and make it a better place.Lebanon was divided into five provinces:Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the Bekaa, the South, the North, and a work shop brought together all the participating schools in each region.Children took part in discussions and listened to motivational speeches, working on the development of innovative ideas with the help of professional counselors. At the end of the workshop,the proposed ideas were presented to the judging panel, which chose the three best ideas in each region, leading to a total of15 ideas in all the regions. The implementation of the second phase of the project is currently underway.It aims to give children an opportunity to refine their ideas and finalize them with their schools. In fact,after working for a month in school on the three ideas that were selected in their area, children will participate in a second work shop with specialists from the desired sector to help them develop their ideas. At the end of this phase, we will have five great ideas(one for each region). In then extphases, the public will be able to vote for the best idea through Facebook and Picon website. At the end of the voting period, there will be one winning idea,which will be implemented in all five regions.It must be noted that the organizers will work in close coordination with municipalities and trained professionals in order to prepare for the implementation of the winning project. This initiative has contributed since its launch in encouraging young people to serve their community and promote their sense of belonging to their homeland.The project represents this year a platform for children to present their creative ideas and demonstrate to the world the abilities of the new generation.