Today, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) had the pleasure of hosting area coordinators from Terre des Hommes (TDH) at the Mount Lebanon Hima Center in Kayfoun. This engaging and forward-looking meeting marked a key moment in exploring opportunities for collaboration between two organizations deeply committed to human dignity, environmental conservation, and community resilience.
Rooted in a shared vision for inclusive growth, social justice, and sustainable development, the meeting was a platform to identify synergies and align future efforts. Discussions revolved around themes central to both SPNL and TDH: environmental protection, child welfare, and empowering vulnerable communities through participatory and rights-based approaches.
As Lebanon continues to face overlapping crisesāfrom economic instability to the ongoing repercussions of regional displacementāboth organizations recognize the urgent need for integrated responses that protect both people and planet. TDHās experience in delivering emergency assistance, psychosocial support, and protection services to children and families complements SPNLās legacy of restoring traditional Hima community-based conservation systems, fostering stewardship of natural and cultural heritage.
The Mount Lebanon Hima Center, nestled in Kayfoun, served as a fitting backdrop for the meeting. As one of SPNLās living examples of people-nature harmony, the center not only showcases biodiversity conservation, but also hosts education, awareness, and livelihood activities that strengthen local ownership and ecological balance. TDH coordinators expressed strong interest in exploring how this model can support child-focused, family-centered programming within safe and accessible green spaces.
Both teams left the meeting energized by the potential of combining their strengthsāTDHās deep-rooted humanitarian work and SPNLās decades of environmental advocacy and Hima-based innovation. The exchange reaffirmed that effective, lasting change lies in cross-sector partnerships that place communities, especially youth and children, at the center of development.
As we move forward, SPNL and TDH are committed to translating todayās rich discussions into concrete initiatives that address environmental challenges, promote child protection, and build local resilience. The path ahead is full of possibilityāand we are eager to walk it together, guided by a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose.
