Advancing Legal Education and Human Rights: SEEDS and La Sagesse University Address Lebanon’s Missing with a Gender Perspective
Beirut, Lebanon – Seeds for Legal Initiatives (SEEDS) and La Sagesse University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote legal education and raise awareness about the issue of the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared in Lebanon, with a focus on gender perspectives.
This agreement builds on the success of the online course MOOC on "Dealing with the Past: The Missing and Forcibly Disappeared in Lebanon" which was first introduced in 2022. The course consists of six modules and examines how to address Lebanon's past from various perspectives, including history, law, justice, societal impact, and the role of civil society. It was developed by Dr. Carmen Hassoun Abou Jaoude, political science researcher and SEEDS with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The course was launched by the Human Rights Legal Clinic at the University La Sagesse.
To date, the course has attracted over 500 participants. It is available for free via the following link: www.mooc.uls.edu.lb.
As part of the MoU, a new module will be added to the course supported by UN Women under the Women, Peace and Security Programme in Lebanon, with funding from the Government of Canada. This module will explore the experiences of women relatives of the missing—mothers, wives, and daughters—highlighting the psychological, social, and legal challenges they face. It will emphasize the importance of addressing enforced disappearances through a gender lens.
This initiative demonstrates the shared commitment of both SEEDS and La Sagesse University to advancing human rights and improving legal education. By providing accessible and inclusive learning resources, the project aims to shed light on the gendered dimensions of this critical issue and foster a deeper understanding of its impact on individuals and communities.
