This is the Arab event announced by Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. George Kallas at a large press conference held at the ministry's building, attended by Edward Pegbider, the representative of UNICEF in Lebanon, as it is the main partner of the ministry in this initiative. The press conference was also attended by a crowd of youth figures, media representatives, and partners involved in organizing and managing activities, including the Lebanese Scout Federation, the Lebanese Youth Hostels Federation, the Lebanese Guides and Girl Scouts Federation, and the Arab Volunteer Federation.
The director of the minister's office, Hussein Omar, introduced Minister Kallas, stating, "It is an Arab and Lebanese event for us to announce, on behalf of Lebanon, the launch of the activities of Beirut: Capital of Arab Youth 2023, signaling and welcoming the return of all Arabs to Lebanon, believing that our youth are the builders of bridges between generations, civilizations, cultures, and our Arab societies, which integrate in their visions and stand out with their uniqueness, to affirm together from Beirut that the quality of our Arab youth is in their diversity, and they are capable of distinction and excellence, that they can invent the future and establish strong peace and deep connections, and that they are qualified to take part anew and bear the responsibility of leading thought and creativity in literature, proving they are ready for the mission of 'resuming civilization.'"
Kallas added, "Youth in the Arab world face various social and economic challenges related to the ability to confront the challenges of modern times through education, culture, and the protection of specializations, quality education, job opportunities, life skills, healthcare, political participation, combating addiction and drugs, the increasing danger of immigration, and the emptying of the land of its people. It is our responsibility not to leave them to their fate but to devise future plans they deserve."
Minister Kallas continued, "Youth issues have formed a priority for the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports, and its main goal is to seek a meeting of Arab youth, to bring them together for dialogue and to stimulate their ambitions. Thus, it has financed a large number of youth activities annually, and in 2015, initiated the idea of 'Arab Youth Capital,' and is currently working on completing the 'Arab Youth Strategy.'"
Despite Lebanon's challenging economic circumstances, Kallas noted that "the Ministry of Youth and Sports insisted on a previous decision issued by the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports, to declare Beirut the Capital of Arab Youth 2023, with the year modified due to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The council embraced the Lebanese desire, approved hosting it, and supported it according to its program schedule."
Kallas stated, "Today, the Capital of Arab Youth comes to affirm Lebanon's desire to turn challenge into opportunity, and to insist on overcoming the difficulties and economic conditions it is experiencing, to bring Arabs back to it through the most important element, youth, the key to the future and the foundation of building our tomorrow as a united nation connected by a common destiny, and a national vision for youth and their role."
He added, "Since the Capital of Arab Youth is an event and an opportunity to confirm the arrival of Arab youth to Lebanon, through various activities focusing on youth, scouting, sports, culture, and tourism, in collaboration with scouts and guides, youth hostels, and volunteer associations, the Prime Minister, Mr. Najib Mikati, has endorsed this occasion and has supported and attended its opening ceremony on July 20, with the participation of Arab ministers of youth and sports and youth leaders, along with Arab and diplomatic attendance."
Kallas stated, "The Ministry of Youth and Sports highly appreciates the efforts made by the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports represented by its president, Egypt's Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, along with the president of the youth committee, Dr. Muhammad Nabulsi, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the League, Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, along with Lebanon's friend, Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ahmad Al-Mubarak, and the executive office and members of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports, with noteworthy appreciation for the efforts of Lebanese and Arab media, our partners in managing joy and investing in success."
Kallas concluded, "I appreciate the efforts of the ministry's team, employees, and advisors, working to ensure the success of this event through various activities and presenting a civilized image that meets the expectations of the youth and befits Lebanon... O youth, be builders of bridges, initiate, and invent the future; you are our Arab future."
Edward Pegbider, representative of UNICEF in Lebanon, stated, "We are committed to investing in youth development, providing them with the tools and resources they need to become leaders of tomorrow and the best versions of themselves. To achieve this goal, we support education, creating job opportunities, entrepreneurship, volunteering, and community participation for youth in Lebanon."
Pegbider concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of youth, noting, "Youth are the future of our communities, and their voices must be heard, and their unique vision must be valued. UNICEF's main goal as a partner of the ministry is to provide a safe and inclusive environment where youth can develop new skills that serve their communities."
Hassan Sharara, the director of Beirut: Capital of Arab Youth and head of public relations at the ministry, explained what the Capital of Youth entails, saying, "The idea began in 2015 with a decision from the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports to form the most important annual Arab event in the field of youth, which has been hosted in successive years by Manama, Rabat, Kuwait, Cairo, Tunis, and Baghdad."
Sharara announced the slogan "Beirut 2023," which represents a reflective image of youth in terms of enthusiasm, movement, and energy, uncomplicated, but with a scope reflected by the open letters of Beirut that embraces Arabs wholeheartedly. The design embodies the essence of youth simply, alongside the colors of the Lebanese flag (green and red), while yellow represents the spirit of youth.
Sharara thanked Its Communications company, represented by its CEO Deputy Wadah Al-Saadek, which designed the logo and event prints free of charge. He noted that the "Capital" incorporates the most important Arab event in the field of youth, listing the activities it includes: the opening ceremony, the Arab Forum for Economic and Social Empowerment (organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and UNICEF), the "Discover Lebanon" program (organized by the Lebanese Youth Hostels Federation), the Guiding Movement Forum and Virtual World "Together for Empowering the Arab Leader" (organized by the Lebanese Guides and Girl Scouts Federation), the Arab Scouting Youth Forum "Arabism Unites Us" (organized by the Lebanese Scout Federation), the sixth Arab Youth Tourism Forum: Dialogue - Interaction - Discovery (organized by the Lebanese Youth Hostels Federation), the Arab Youth Parliament (organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports), and the Beirut Volunteer Award (organized by the Arab Volunteer Federation).