Biodiversity on the Front : Water Challenges

Date

3 October 2025 starting 5 PM

Location

Bsharri Technical School, Bsharri, Lebanon

Water is vital to life in Lebanon, yet it faces growing threats from pollution, scarcity, and climate change. On 3 October 2025, REEF is dedicating an event to the protection of Qornet as Sawda and the Cedars and their surrounding water resources. In partnership with Bsharri Technical School, and in the presence of Bsharri Municipality, youth will benefit from a presentation of career opportunities in collaboration with Difaf Social Enterprise. Civil society and NGOs will take part in a discussion with activists and experts regarding this sensitive topic. Water Challenges is part of a series of an engaging impact tour in Lebanon aimed at tackling critical biodiversity issues directly with affected communities using the power of cinema storytelling.

Environmental Careers Presentation

The session will highlight opportunities in Lebanon’s growing green sector, including water management, conservation, renewable energy, waste management, and eco-tourism. Participants will learn how youth can contribute to protecting biodiversity and water resources while gaining insights on employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the environmental field.

The workshop is presented and facilitated by Hussam Hawwa, Biosystems engineer, water management specialist, leader of environmental sustainability projects across Lebanon and the Mediterranean, and, founder of Difaf, a social-enterprise and environmental services bureau.

Film Screening: “Along the Water”

Filmmaker Rebecca Tawk takes viewers on a reverse journey of water, starting at the mouth of the Abou Ali River in Tripoli and traveling upstream through the Qannoubin Valley and the Cedars, culminating at Qornet as Sawda, the highest peak in the Middle East. Along the way, four individuals—Samir, Hisham, Antoine, and Ghiwa—interact with different landscapes, revealing the challenges water and nature face and illustrating the profound cultural, ecological, and emotional connection humans share with the environment.

Panel Discussion & Debate

Experts and local voices including a municipality representative will explore the key challenges and opportunities in protecting Qornet as Sawda and its water systems. Topics will include the mountain’s role as a water source and biodiversity hub, reforestation and climate resilience, pollution and sewage management, and the role of communities and authorities in sustainable planning and long-term stewardship.

Speakers include:

Dr. Fadi Comair – Professor at the Cyprus Institute, Senior Executive Advisor to the President of the University of Balamand (UOB), Chairman of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Program(2019-2023), acting Chair of ECOMED Academy and President of MEDURABLE and member of the Academie des Sciences d’outre-mer in France.
Johnny Tawk – Architect, President of Spéléo Club du Liban
Nadine Tawk – Senior consultant organizational development and leadership.
Dr. Youssef Tawk – Physician and environmental activist from Bsharri, known for reforesting over 130,000 cedars, pioneering recycling initiatives, and currently leading efforts to plant junipers at high altitudes to protect Lebanon’s water resources

Event Agenda

The event features a series of activities designed to inform, inspire, and engage participants:

- 5:00 PM – Environmental Careers Presentation
- 6:30 PM – Film Screening: “Along the Water”
- 7:00 PM – Panel Discussion & Debate
- 8:30 PM – Networking Session

Entrance is free but prior registration is required through this link