Join us in a conversation with activists for social change in Lebanon Farah Wardani and Tony Elmir. They will be talking about their work in Lebanon throughout the years, and in the past few months since the war with Israel escalated. They will share personal and professional reflections on the pain and frustration being faced with another wave of violence, and also reflect on what is encouraging them to continue their work.
About the speakers:
Farah Wardani is a Lebanese theater actress, clown doctor, puppeteer, applied theater practitioner, a playback theatre practitioner, and registered drama therapist. She holds a MA in Performing Arts (focus on Drama Therapy), a Diploma of High studies in theater, and a BA in psychology. Farah is also the director of Laban, a Lebanese theater-based NGO that uses social and psychosocial theater approaches for social and political change, capacity building, and well-being. Farah trains and uses Theater of the Oppressed, Drama Therapy, and other techniques with different communities and contexts as a medium for healing, social change, and political activism.
Tony Elmir is currently managing operations at the YMCA of Lebanon, and holds two degrees in finance and software engineering. With 13 years of experience at the YMCA of Lebanon and previously at the Middle East Council of Churches, he has focused on leading programs promoting financial education, entrepreneurship and social stability. For the past decade he led projects building bridges between youth from different backgrounds in Lebanon, as well as secured innovative partnership with various global organizations.
The event is part of the Online Event Series "Middle East: Building Hope in Times of War".