As part of the Jouzour Program organized by the non-governmental organization Lebanon and Beyond, the University of Balamand (UOB) welcomed participants to its Koura campus for a three-day immersive experience highlighting Lebanon's rich cultural, religious, environmental, and historical heritage.

Bringing together university students and young professionals, the program offered participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Lebanon through academic discussions, cultural visits, and field-based learning experiences led by UOB faculty and researchers.

The program began with a session on the interrelations between religions in Lebanon, presented by Dr. Elias Halabi, Director of the Christian-Muslim Studies Center, who explored the country's unique religious diversity and the historical interactions that have shaped its social fabric. Participants also visited the University of Balamand's Museum of Ethnography with Dr. Patricia Antaki, Director of the Department of Archaeology and Museology, before touring the historic Monastery of Balamand and its museum, gaining insight into the site's religious and cultural significance.

On the second day, participants visited Anfeh for an environmental preservation session led by Dr. Manal Nader, Director of the Institute of the Environment. Combining classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork, the group explored the ecological importance of the region and took part in a traditional salt collection activity. The afternoon featured an archaeological tour of Anfeh guided by Dr. Antaki and her team, introducing participants to the area's rich archaeological heritage and ongoing research.

The final day focused on the cultural and natural treasures of Northern Lebanon. Accompanied by Dr. Antaki, participants visited the Monastery of Ein Akrine and the historic Kannoubine Valley before continuing to the Gibran Museum, where they learned about the life and legacy of renowned Lebanese writer and artist Gibran Khalil Gibran. The program concluded with a walk through the Cedars of God, one of Lebanon's most iconic natural landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Through this program, UOB provided participants with a meaningful opportunity to engage with Lebanon's history, environment, and cultural identity while strengthening their connection to their ancestral homeland.











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