Aouad to Moderate in War’s Silent Victims Conference
April 28-29, 2025. AKSOB 903, LAU Beirut Campus
As part of a Lebanese American University/Office for Sustainabilty conference titled War’s Silent Victims: Hidden Impacts of the 2024 War on Lebanon, Aouad moderated Session 2: Environmental Destruction, Agriculture and Food Security, and Heritage Loss, bringing together a panel of distinguished experts to discuss the far-reaching environmental consequences of the conflict. The session, entitled War-Induced Environmental Damage, featured Dr. Issam Srour (American University of Beirut), Dr. Wassim Daher (South Lebanon Water Establishment), and Dr. Lamia Mansour (World Bank).
This critical session shed light on the environmental degradation resulting from warfare—from air and water pollution to soil contamination and the destruction of agricultural systems—highlighting how these impacts undermine food security, public health, and ecosystem resilience. Panelists also explored the vulnerability of Lebanon’s cultural and natural heritage, emphasizing the need for preservation strategies that can withstand ongoing and future crises.
Moderated by Aouad, the session framed war-induced environmental damage not only as a technical or ecological issue, but as a national recovery challenge that requires integrated and coordinated responses. The panel emphasized the importance of evidence-based policy, inclusive planning, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Held under the broader goal of fostering dialogue, research, and actionable policy development, the conference brought together academics, public sector leaders, and international experts to outline strategies for Lebanon’s post-war recovery. Discussions throughout the event focused on uniting humanitarian relief, sustainable development, and economic regeneration. The panel contributed a robust set of guiding principles designed to inform Lebanon’s national reconstruction priorities while safeguarding environmental integrity and cultural identity.
The event was organized by the Office for Sustainability at LAU led by Dr. Nadim Farajallah.
