One of the biggest social integration barriers in Lebanon is the educational social institutions. Most of the private schools, colleges and universities in Lebanon are affilitated with religious groups. Therefore, they bring together student groups of the same religion, and result in raising children into adults who live over 20 years of their life without having the opportunity or choice to meet peers of another religious affiliation, who form more or less half the population of the country.
Therefore, the thought of introducing a student swap intervention within the educational system crossed my mind quite a few times, but I never imagined that it could overcome the logistical boundaries, and actually happen.
Well it has! Youth for Tolerance introduced the initiative starting with swapping 3 students from “Ras Beirut International School” in Dahieh, Beirut, and 3 student from “Antonine Sisters School” in Ghazir, Keserwan. This small trial can act as a great pilot for implementing this strategy as a full-scale periodical program across a wide network of schools, colleges and universities in Lebanon.
Annahar WebTV produced the short film below documenting the students’ experiences. I recommend subscribing to the Annahar Youtube Channel here, as they frequently produce similarly great documentaries.
student swap program should be implemented as part of the curriculum in addition to other programs to narrow existing social,cultural,and religious gaps among students hoping to create a better environment