“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the Future” – John F. Kennedy.
As a lawyer with experience in humanitarian law, I wanted to invest my skills in the public sector in order to contribute to its improvement and overcome all the obstacles faced by both citizens and civil servants fighting for the same cause.
My experience with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) helped me acquire various skills and enabled me to work under hard circumstances. I served as a legal intern in the Legal Department based in Beirut where I provided legal assistance to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, by counseling refugees during camp visits. I also aided in the preparation of workshops on the implications of labor law, personal affairs law and human rights by conducting legal tasks and research, and coordinating activities.
Subsequently, my knowledge in advocacy, monitoring and communication evolved, which was translated through my work with the Committee of the Families of Kidnapped and Disappeared in Lebanon. Throughout this time, I contributed to building the digital archive of the committee by analyzing available data on the missing and disappeared, and conducting legal research on transitional justice and its application in Lebanon.
By taking part in this internship with Siren Associates, I feel a sense of deep involvement in the reform journey of the public sector. This program will help me further develop my skills, while gaining new ones that I hope will enable my work to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens.
Additionally, I hold a law degree from La Sagesse University and am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the rights of NGOs and humanitarian affairs in Strasbourg, France.