CEMEDE was created on the occasion of the 10 years anniversary of the Barcelona Process
CEMEDE members felt it was necessary to answer the call of the European Commission to strengthen neighboring ties between EU Member Sates and other Mediterranean countries covered by MEDA (Middle East Development Association)
CEMEDE aims to participate in
SPORTS events
CEMEDE believes in the power of sports as a catalyst for positive change within a culture and society. Sport is a valuable tool for children, youths, and adults to interact in the spirit of fair competition and to create a sense of achievement and pride.
Athletic activities have the power to bridge differences and to produce a healthy environment with strong ethical codes. Since the sporting spirit is a naturally inclusive and altogether a positive one, Special needs youth and adults deem it easier to reintegrate into the mainstream of society through different athletic activities.
Special Olympics Belgium
Through its support to the Special Olympics Belgium, CEMEDE is involved in the inclusion of special needs individuals in sporting events.
Ever since 2010, CEMEDE has sponsored the Horse riding competitions that take place in the Special Olympics.
The Special Olympics resumed on May 21-22, 2020 in a different format geared towards an online approach and following all COVID-19 safety measures. This year’s edition held the title: Virtual Games 2020.
Sustainable Development Projects
“The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. This is the definition of the sustainable development that was adopted by the Brundtland Commission report of the United Nations in 1987.
CEMEDE works on Implementing policies and projects that have a lasting environmentally sustainable impact in Mediterranean countries . It stands true to work on improving the present all while preserving the potential of the future.
Building Better 2006
With this concept in mind, CEMEDE created the “Building Better” project which was developed in collaboration with the Lebanese Minister of Economy in 2006.
With the support of Brussels Export, Carmen Chahine managed to associate CEMEDE to the Belgian Royal Economic Mission headed by HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium and represented CEMEDE at the first “Building Better” Euro conference held in Qatar in November 2007.
CEMEDE thus gained further exposure and created more international bridges of cooperation in its goal to plan and implement projects that are sustainable on an environmental, economical, and humanitarian level.
Educational Development Projects
Out of conviction that education is the foundation of Sustainable Development in the communities, CEMEDE works with various educational organizations in order to create accessible education tailored to the needs of diverse groups, specifically those who are excluded or marginalized from the mainstream educational systems. Education is the foundation of a promising future, and everyone in the society has the right to benefit from it.
Lebanese Center for Special Education (CLES)
In Lebanon, CEMEDE supports CLES (Lebanese Center for Special Education) with the objective of helping children with specific learning difficulties. This includes training of elementary teachers and producing awareness conferences that address the general public on specific learning difficulties.
CEMEDE also extends support to the eight centers of CLES for the early detection and treatment of students with learning difficulties. The centers are located in Beirut, Badaro, Tripoli, Saida, Nabatieh, Zahleh, Zouk and Semkanieh.
CEMEDE also assisted CLES with the development, printing, and distribution of multiple informative publications that raise awareness and assist in the early detection of Specific Learning Difficulties, thus offering scientific support and valuable assistance to parents and teachers of children suffering from these difficulties, as well as providing those children with better chances at becoming successful members in their communities.
Emergency Program
Care by CLES is launched in the aftermath of the challenges Lebanon has been facing on the economic front.
With the increasing levels of unemployment in the country, families lack the basic needs to survive and provide for their children. Care by CLES aims for the reduction of hunger by providing food and hygiene packages to families in need all over Lebanon. Each package includes 5 parcels of food, hygiene products, and kitchenware, lasting up to 6 weeks or more.
Les Ateliers Indigo
CEMEDE supports and sponsors ‘Les Ateliers Indigo. Plateau 96′
Atelier Indigo is an uncommon concept in Belgium, but one deemed important as it provides Adults and Children with various difficulties (mental, physical, sensory, and / or psychological) with artistic workshops curated by professional artists and attended by the general public.
The workshops follow the framework of Plateau96, Center for Expression and Creativity, and are recognized by the Culture department of the Wallonia Brussels Federation. All workshops vary from therapeutic to occupational ones. Artistic pre-requisite is a must.
The Indigo project helps people with difficulties integrate better in their societies by providing a safe and artistic space that allows them to interact with a mix of the population all while developing and nurturing their artistic side under the guidance of professional teachers in the field.
Educational Development Projects
Cultural exchange programs give people of different nationalities the chance to appreciate what they have in common, and to understand the human motivations behind their differences.
CEMEDE engages in cultural exchange programs between Europe and the Mediterranean Near Eastern countries with the purpose of fostering a better mutual understanding. These programs will promote the exchange of ideas, information, values, and traditions, in order to create better communication and foster healthier relations.
Dramatic Art Projects