© DR
International Centre for Human Sciences (ICHS), Byblos, Lebanon

The main objective of this first meeting of the Governing Board organized after the nomination of its new members, both national and international, is to create a dynamic around new challenges generated by the processes of transitions to democracy in the world.

More concretely, this meeting of the new Governing Board of the ICHS, chaired by H.E Mr Gaby Layoun, Minister of Culture of Lebanon, and with the participation of the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, Pilar Alvarez-Laso, will be the opportunity to discuss and define future orientations and short- and middle term program of actions of the Centre.

True to its original mandate, priority of the work of the Byblos Centre will be given to the main issues related to transitions to democracy, particular accent being placed on the contribution and participation therein of young women and men.

Established in 1998 under a convention between UNESCO and the Lebanese Government, the International Centre for Human Sciences is an international social science research institution, one of the 81 Category II Institutes and Centres established under the auspices of UNESCO around the world. Located in Byblos, Lebanon, it enjoys, by its statutes, full academic freedom and diplomatic immunity.

The purpose of the Centre is twofold: to contribute to the development of social and human sciences and to promote a culture of peace. In addition to promoting interregional and international cooperation and building research capacities in different regions, the Byblos Centre works to foster comparative analytical research, disseminate its results and encourage the creation and strengthening of networks of social science institutes.