UNESCO Director-General Azoulay pledges reconstruction

Beirut: UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay pledged at a Thursday media conference to focus the agency's reconstruction and aid efforts towards Lebanon’s schools, world heritage, and culture.

On Thursday, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay roamed the affected areas in Beirut, visited affected schools and historical buildings, and then headed to the Sursock Palace to give a press conference around the efforts of UNESCO in aiding to rebuild Beirut.

The main goal of Azoulay’s visit is to mobilize the international community towards focusing on education, culture, and heritage as part of rebuilding Beirut after the explosion that shook the city. Azoulay stated the importance of persevering Beirut’s heritage as it serves as a link of the past, present, and future. “We share your anger and respect your courage and strong energy” she added.

Azoulay also stated the importance of education since it embodied the future for Lebanon’s youth, and that is the reason why UNESCO has committed to rebuilding 40 schools that were affected by the explosion. She also highlighted the importance of preserving creation and authentic spaces as they are of utmost importance in Beirut and in Lebanon. “Without these Beirut would not be Beirut anymore” she added.

Azoulay stated that the way forward in order to preserve and reconstruct Beirut is through reforming and enforcing legislative and administrative means, an aspect she raised during her meeting the President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun. “Beirut’s heritage must be protected at all cost, that is why Lebanon’s government, civil society, and the international community should work together” she stated. Additionally, Azoulay stated that UNESCO has vowed to organize a conference of donor nations in September in order to support the preservation and reconstruction of the heritage buildings.

Azoulay stated that “The Lebanese people can count on UNESCO's support in mobilizing all actors and helping preserve the rich cultural life and heritage of Beirut ... I will ensure that education and culture are a central part of reconstruction efforts, and that special attention is given to the most vulnerable. Education, heritage, and culture must be the foundations of the reconstruction,” she added.UNESCO’s latest assessment has shown that there are close to 160 public and private schools in Beirut and surrounding areas damaged by the blast, which in turn could deprive more than 85,000 students of the right to education. Furthermore, at least 8,000 buildings in Beirut were impacted by the blast, especially in the central districts of Gemayzeh and Mar Mikhaël. Amongst these buildings are approximately 640 historic buildings and around 60 of which are at risk of collapse.