A year ago, the National Wellness Network (NWN) at Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS) was selected by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to implement the “Youth Activism for Lebanese Accountability” (YALA!) program, aiming at empowering the youth of Rashaya and Hasbaya regions.

On Friday, August 6^th, 2021, a ceremony was held celebrating the graduation of the YALA! organized in MUBS Rashaya campus. Dr. Firas Azzam, Coordinator explained the objective of the project, and Dr. Nael Alami, MUBS Provost drew attention to the vital role of advocacy and reform which bring about positive change in societies. Mrs. Elsy Moufarrej, MTV representative and Program Manager of the National Democratic Institute NDI, Mrs. Maya Fawaz, congratulated the trainees. A discussion followed by Mrs. Diana Maddah, Project Coordinator of YALA! who raised demands for change, and an award was presented to Moufarrej and Fawaz as a token of appreciation for their work with the youth.

YALA! Program is part of the MUBS commitment to promotion of UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), and SDG 17 (partnership for the goals).