In line with its commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 “Reduced Inequalities”, Banque Libano-Française (BLF) supports an educational university program for mentally-challenged people. It’s a first-of-a-kind program in Lebanon launched by INCLUDE, Université Pour Tous (UPT) and Université Saint-Joseph (USJ).
Twelve students are already benefitting from this program, helping them build their job skills, develop financial responsibility and independent living skills, and boost their interpersonal skills including IT, communication, budget management, social media, civic education, sports, health and security. The program’s main objective is to help mentally-challenged students build job skills and develop financial responsibility and independent living skills, thus transitioning into autonomous young adults.
According to Michèle Asmar, President of INCLUDE, this professional inclusive program “allows differently-abled young people aged 15 and above, experiment university life and develop skills to become autonomous and productive citizens. BLF has supported this program without any hesitation providing the opportunity for future employment and promoting inclusive societies".