Beirut, Lebanon: The Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Raï received the President of the Arab Voluntary Union, Mr. Hassan Buhazza, at the patriarchal palace in Diman. Accompanying Buhazza was the Union’s advisor, Mr. Charbel Kabalan.

During the meeting, Buhazza highlighted the Arab Voluntary Union’s key activities and goals, particularly emphasizing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s role in hosting the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence. Both parties agreed on the importance of promoting a culture of tolerance and peace among Arab youth of all faiths.

The visit also included a tour of the Antonian Technical Institute, where Buhazza expressed his admiration for the women’s craftsmanship and called for continued support of their work. A visit to the “Candles of Hope” Association in Zgharta followed, where the delegation was welcomed by the members and the association’s president, Hind Marrab.

Following a tour of the institute’s annual workshop on Byzantine iconography, Father Bouaboud delivered a welcoming speech, expressing his gratitude for the Union President’s visit. Discussions also centered on potential collaborations between the institute and the Union to support handicrafts and artistic products, particularly to empower underprivileged families and create job opportunities for youth in Lebanon and the Arab world

Beirut, Lebanon: The Arab Voluntary Union and the Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO have signed a cooperation protocol, aimed at fostering a culture of volunteerism among Lebanese and Arab youth. The agreement was signed by Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, and Heba Nashabe, Secretary-General of the Lebanese National Commission.

This initiative aligns with the Arab Voluntary Union’s commitment to promoting active community participation in volunteerism and community development at both the Arab and international levels.

The signing ceremony took place at the UNESCO Palace during Buhazza's visit, accompanied by the Union's advisor, Mr. Charbel Kabalan.

Beirut, Lebanon: Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, paid a visit to the JAD (Youth Against Drugs) in Habboub, Jbeil. He was accompanied by the Union's advisor, Mr. Charbel Kabalan. They were welcomed by Joseph Hawat, President of JAD, and a number of volunteers.

During the visit, Hawat briefed Buhazza on JAD's key activities in combating drugs and the strategies employed to address this issue. The delegation also had the opportunity to view an exhibition showcasing thousands of pieces related to the anti-drug campaign.

Buhazza expressed his admiration for this unique exhibition aimed at combating this scourge that threatens our youth. He expressed hope that the exhibition could be digitized and made accessible to Arab youth. In recognition of his visit, Hawat presented Buhazza with a certificate of appreciation from JAD (Youth Against Drugs).

Jbeil, Lebanon: Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, visited the center of the Lebanese Social Responsibility LSR in Jbeil. He was accompanied by the Union’s advisor, Mr. Charbel Kabalan, and was welcomed by Mr. Elie Zaydan, the Executive Director of the LSR, and a group of volunteers.

During the visit, LSR presented an overview of its activities. Buhazza emphasized the importance of youth volunteerism in the Arab world, noting that the happiness derived from giving is unparalleled. He also stressed the significance of encouraging local Arab production, empowering youth, and caring for children. Discussions during the meeting explored potential avenues for cooperation between the LSR and the Arab Voluntary Union.

The Arab Council for Youth, in cooperation with the Arab Voluntary Union in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has launched the first edition of the Arab Council for Youth Award. The award, held under the patronage of the League of Arab States, aims to promote a culture of quality and excellence, encourage youth organizations to improve their performance and services, and highlight and recognize outstanding administrative practices in the care and development of youth.

In this context, Dr. Issa bin Hassan Al-Ansari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Council for Youth, said: "The award comes within the framework of the Council's objectives and vision to discover distinguished and creative youth in various jobs, levels, and sectors, and to support them and provide them with the opportunity to realize their potential and express their achievements and contributions. It also aims to honor youth organizations for their achievements and outstanding performance in the fields of management, leadership, and scientific research".

Dr. Al-Ansari affirmed that the Council will continue to support and assist youth in the fields of development and creative ideas, and provide awareness and education to the youth of the world, encouraging them to participate in comprehensive development in all countries to achieve development visions and plans that meet the needs of society.

For his part, Mr. Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, explained that the launch of the first edition of The Arab Council for Youth Award comes within the framework of strengthening partnerships and exchanging experiences with the Arab Council for Youth to enhance youth and development work, and to support the efforts of the world's youth to make positive changes that benefit their societies. It also aims to enrich thought and creativity among youth at the Arab and global levels, adopt their development initiatives, and enhance and develop capacities and cadres.

Buhazza affirmed that the Arab Voluntary Union is always seeking to achieve cooperation between various entities in the Arab countries and mobilize the creative energies of Arab people, supporting and investing them in what benefits comprehensive Arab development.
Buhazza pointed out that the award is based on three main points: awareness and education through the application of excellence standards to develop and improve performance at all job levels, especially the leadership level, and the transfer of knowledge and exchange of best practices and experiences between youth organizations locally, regionally, and internationally to ensure the continuous development of the concept of excellence. He added that the award targets young people aged 15 to 40, individuals who have made valuable contributions to youth of all ages, and entities and institutions that contribute to youth empowerment, including government and private sectors, non-governmental organizations, professional and labor organizations. The first track of the award will include four areas: technological culture, creativity and problem-solving, peaceful societies, and linguistic empowerment.

Buhazza indicated that the participation in the award started on July 7 and will continue until August 10, 2023. Projects can be submitted in both English and Arabic through the award's website: acfyaward.org.

Mr. Charbel Kablan, Advisor to the President of the Arab Voluntary Union in the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated in the large press conference that launched the announcement of "Beirut - Capital of Arab Youth for 2023". The event took place at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in the presence of Minister Dr. George Kallas and UNICEF’s representative in Lebanon, Mr. Edouard Beigbeder.

During the opening, the Lebanese Minister of Youth and Sports stated, "Today, the Arab Youth Capital comes to affirm Lebanon’s desire to turn challenges into opportunities and its determination to overcome the economic hardships it faces. It aims to bring Arabs back to Lebanon through the most crucial gateway, the youth, the key to the future and the foundation of our tomorrow, as a united nation with a common destiny and a national vision for youth and their role".

The press conference was also attended by a wide array of young figures, media personnel, and representatives of the entities partnering with the ministry in organizing and managing activities. These entities include the Arab Voluntary Union, The Lebanese Scout Association, the Lebanese Youth Hostel Federation, and the Lebanese Guides and Scouts Association.

Hail Municipality, in collaboration with the Arab Voluntary Union, The United Nations Volunteers programme, and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, concluded a four-day training course titled "Innovative Volunteering for Urban Sustainability" yesterday. This initiative marked the first of 17 training programs launched by the Arab Voluntary Union, which will be rolled out across various governorates.

The course, which drew participation from 34 volunteers, aimed to align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for cities. The training resulted in the development of six innovative projects, meticulously crafted by the participants, who were divided into specialized project teams.

Source: SPA-KSA

His Excellency Hassan Buhazza, President of the Good Word Society and the Arab Voluntary Union, received His Excellency Yasser Mohammed Shaaban, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Bahrain, at his office at the Society's headquarters. The meeting aimed to explore ways to enhance joint cooperation and coordination and to familiarize the ambassador with the Society's activities and programs.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Hassan Buhazza welcomed the Egyptian ambassador and commended the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt, as well as the historical ties between the Bahraini and Egyptian peoples. He also highlighted the strong cooperation and coordination between civil society organizations in both countries.

Buhazza emphasized the importance of strengthening joint cooperation between the two brotherly countries in all fields and continuing to bolster bilateral cooperation in voluntary, charitable, and humanitarian work. He praised the unlimited support provided by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, for voluntary, charitable, and humanitarian work in Bahrain and around the world, as well as the strong support provided by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.  

This support has contributed to the Good Word Society achieving many accomplishments at both the local and international levels.

For his part, the Egyptian ambassador praised the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and the activities and programs of the Society that he was briefed on. He expressed his pride in the strong and shared relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Bahrain in various fields, commending the significant efforts made by the Kingdom of Bahrain in the charitable, voluntary, and humanitarian fields and the development witnessed in all sectors of the Kingdom.

His Excellency Engineer Sultan Al-Zaidi, the Governor of Hail, along with a delegation from the Arab Voluntary Union and representatives from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, inaugurated the "Innovative Volunteering" training program.

The program, which comprises 17 training courses to be conducted across all governorates in Saudi Arabia, aims to foster a culture of volunteering and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The inaugural course, targeting 32 volunteers from the Hail region, will run for four days (totaling 20 training hours).