MARCH organized a series of awareness sessions at almost 5 university campuses in the North of Lebanon where former fighters and victims of terrorism came together to share their personal testimonies with students.
For a long time, Tripoli has been labeled as a city of terrorism, leaving a lasting negative imprint on the entire community. “We have always heard that Tripoli is the city of terrorism, but I say Tripoli has been terrorized,” says Lea Baroudi, General Coordinator of MARCH.
These sessions aimed to raise awareness about the impact of violent extremism (VE) while promoting healing and reconciliation in communities affected by conflict. By spreading this message to students, the goal was to help them recognize their role in fostering peace and resilience within their communities.
March Lebanon’s Commitment to Peacebuilding
As part of its ongoing reconciliation program, March Lebanon has been organizing awareness sessions aimed at spreading awareness and promoting understanding of sectarian violence and the circle of conflict associated by the previous terrorist attacks and sectarian clashes which took place in Tripoli. Through these testimonies, the organization continues to build bridges between communities affected by conflict, helping to break down the divisions of the past.
As such, the awareness sessions in universities highlighted the inspiring journeys of young men and women who were formerly involved in sectarian violence or had family members who participated, particularly in northern Lebanon. These sessions also gave a voice to young individuals who had been directly affected—either by losing a loved one or experiencing trauma from terrorist attacks, such as the explosion at Abu Omran Coffee Shop and the bombings at the Taqwa and Salam Mosques.
The powerful stories shared during these sessions underscored the importance of reconciliation as a path to healing. Most importantly, they conveyed a deeply inspiring message from those who once stood on opposing sides: terrorism has no religion.
The Power of Shared Experiences: A Step Towards Healing
The testimony sessions held at 5 universities: the EIU University, the Lebanese University, the Lebanese International University, the Balamand University, and the Antonione University welcoming a total of 200 students along side deans, university heads and deans who were introduced to the stories of those directly and indirectly impacted by terrorism who spoke openly about their personal experiences with violence, loss, and trauma.
The youth have also spoke about their journey at MARCH which induced collaborative efforts between former fighters and victims which was a significant step toward amplifying the message that terrorism affects us all, particularly in Tripoli, a city that has long been stigmatized by its association with violent extremism and war.
Empowering Students as Agents of Change
Through the shared narratives, students were not only educated about the trauma of terrorism but were also empowered to become active contributors to the collective effort of healing and reconciliation in their communities. The goal was to inspire young students to bring the lessons of the past into the future, creating a society that values peace, unity, and mutual reconciliation.
Impact on Students and Community Engagement
The feedback from the students who attended the events has been overwhelmingly positive highlighted a significant increase in awareness and motivation to engage in violence prevention. Many students reported a heightened sense of resilience against violent extremism, illustrating the tangible impact these testimony events have had on the next generation of leaders.
With initiatives like these, March Lebanon is making significant strides in fostering a culture of peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion in Lebanon, proving that even in the wake of violence, there is always hope for transformation and unity.
