
PM Mikati: We do not want to follow other countries, we should rather protect Lebanon
Sunday, Nov 20, 2011
Speaker Nabih Berri chaired the Children’s Parliament organized by the Higher Council for Children at the occasion of the International Day for Childhood at the Parliament. 158 participants, coming from different Lebanese regions, took part of this session to express their concerns and aspirations and to have their questions answered.
President Berri addressed the participants by shedding the light on a diversity of issues such as Israeli crimes, electoral law, educational curriculum, the population political and educational expectations, namely the youth, and the need to promote their relationship with the Parliament through local and international civil society institutions, and calling on them to promote the democracy culture to the advantage of Lebanon.
PM Mikati
The Prime Minister Najib Mikati addressed the participants saying: “My dear students, I would like to speak to you from my heart, and based on my personal experience. I call on you to dream and to have ambitions so that you reach your full potential. Nothing can be achieved without dreams and freedom. When I was at your age, I used to assist parliamentary sessions. I remember well when one of the sessions lasted until 3 in the morning and ended with the resignation of President Rashid Karamy. At that moment, I looked at the tribune and dreamt of being a deputy or a Prime Minister. I call on you, dear children, to dream and to aim high so you can reach the highest positions.”
He added: “But for a dream to be fulfilled, it needs several elements, mainly values. In this context, I call on you to adhere to commitment, honesty, religious and humanitarian values. Hold on to your faith for God’s fear represents wisdom. Also make sure to gain your parents satisfaction, open up to them and ask for their advices in everything you need, you will only know the importance of this when you become parents in the future. However freedom is not absolute, one’s freedom ends when another person’s begins, you should put barriers to freedom to be able to respect yourselves before respecting others.”
Mikati highlighted the importance of education for success saying: “No matter how dark life seems to be, know that only education is the light that would allow you overcome constraints. Don’t be afraid to take the hard road as long as your choices are clear. Subordination to other countries is not a choice and obstinacy at the local level is of no use. Lebanon is rich in diversity and coexistence which we have to preserve. We all have to cooperate to turn our dreams into concrete efforts and achievements.”
Mikati concluded by urging children to draw lessons from the mistakes of current officials and not to give up. “always remember, you are Lebanon’s ideal, and hopefully you will be representing it, raising its name very high.”
First Lady Wafaa Sleiman
Sleiman focused on the role of children for a better society free of discrimination and providing them with education and health care, and said “the rights of children secured under international agreements ensure their right to a dignified life, protection and education while also stressing the important role that parents play."
Minister Wael Abu Faour
The Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abu Faour addressed the children by briefing them about childhood in Lebanon namely among the low-income and indigent population, and concluded by expressing his gratitude to the Parliament Speaker for giving this opportunity for students, the Prime Minister, the First Lady and the rest of organizations and associations concerned with children and childhood.
Speaker Berri gave the floor to the participating students and answered along with the Premier Mikati and the Minister Abu Faour the questions raised by the children.
Berri had held a short meeting with PM Mikati, the First Lady, Minister Abu Faour and his wife Mrs. Randa Berri in his office prior to the opening of the parliamentary session.


