“Radio is the most powerful medium that exists to get messages across and to reach young people who are carrying the burden of the Syrian crisis,” said Ms Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General. Indeed, this Radio programme provides a much needed platform for dialogue between Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Lebanese youth on issues of shared concern, promoting access to information, freedom of expression and serving as a tool for mutual understanding and social inclusion.

The radio project, supported by the Government of Finland and Sweden comes as part of UNESCO's work towards an enabling environment for Freedom of Expression. Following a two weeks training for youth on speech as well as reports preparation techniques, this programme was launched to shed some light on the Syrian displaced, their conditions, concerns along with those of the Lebanese host communities. This include education, health, shelter, legal and labor issues, hence, the programme also provides basic life-saving information to Syrian refugees and helps to raise awareness about their rights.

“This programme gives us hope to have our concerns heard, be able to express ourselves freely and most of all dialogue with the Lebanese youth. We want to at least be able to help our communities' have their voices heard and try to contribute to whatever little change that we might be able to do” said Nawfal, one of the Syrian youth reporter trained under the project.

The programme will have a specific topic every week hosting an expert from the related field,  along with the Syrian youth reporters from the field. Moreover, in order to give a chance to the largest number of participation, the programme will have a social media presence through Facebook and Twitter. 

The program is aired live weekly every Thursday at 16:30.