As part of its series of annual Strong Cities Network activities, the Saida Community Prevention Network (CPN) organised a closing ceremony following the successful delivery of two Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) trainings. The first brought together Scout leaders representing the different Scout associations in the city, while the second training was delivered to teachers working in UNRWA-led (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) schools. The network had previously successfully delivered a PVE training to teachers from public and private schools in Saida.

The ceremony was jointly sponsored by Member of Parliament and former Minister of Education, Mrs. Bahia El-Hariri and the Mayor of Saida, Mr. Mohamad El-Seoudi, at the Saida municipality, who both reiterated their support to the Strong Cities Network programme in Lebanon and congratulated the participants who took part. The UNRWA Director of Teaching and Education and the President of the Saida School Network also praised the teachers and Scout leaders for their sense of responsibility and their commitment to helping the next generations develop the skills and culture to oppose hatred and violent extremism. The event was also attended by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ regional coordinator for counter-terrorism, CPN members and local stakeholders.

The city of Saida has recently joined the SCN’s steering committee in recognition of its extraordinary dedication to the SCN’s mission and programme. The municipality has been very active in establishing its Community Prevention Network and in developing and implementing several activities aimed at building the capacity of formal and informal educators to prevent the spread of violent extremism locally.

To read the Saida municipality’s coverage of the event in Arabic click here.