Maronite Academy - Academy Class

The Maronite Academy 2015 Educational trip to Lebanon

Many young Lebanese-descent Christians from 15 different countries around the world were selected to visit Lebanon in August 2015 to participate in the Maronite Academy, an endeavor undertaken by the Maronite Foundation and aiming to bring the Lebanese diaspora’s youth closer to their roots and their country of origin.

After going through a series of comprehensive online courses tackling the history of Lebanon and the Maronites, the applicants had to undergo a written Essay assessing their cumulative knowledge.

The Maronite Foundation gave the chance to the youth who applied last year and who were not selected to renew their chances this year, and many won the educational trip 2015 to Lebanon last August! Most of them visited Lebanon for the first time.

The successful candidates were chosen to partake in the Academy’s class of 2015; they came from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Mexico, Peru, Sweden, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela.
The participants’ stay in Lebanon spanned over two weeks from August 8 till August 23rd, during which they attended daily lectures held at the USEK University by prominent panelists and visited various historical sites and landmarks such as Tannourine, Jezzine, Byblos, Qadicha valley, Bcharre, St. Charbel, Deir el Kamar, and Beiteddine to name a few.

Anastasia, Anthony Kantara’s sister followed this year youths' Educational Trip over the Academy social media channels and watched the conferences on the Maronite Academy's website. She stated the following :
"... I realized through hearing the speakers and learning what I’ve learned that’s in fact a lot of who I am is because I am Maronite and then Lebanese Maronite.
Hearing the passion in the speaker’s voices, learning about our heritage and what it really means to be Christian, made me realize that I finally found my community (...)
Feel free to share with the academy my thoughts with you, let them know that their efforts are not gone in vain and in fact they were able to bring me back to even reconsider that I could possibly return to Lebanon one day...."

Courses

The Lebanese culture

Chronololgy of the Lebanese History

The History of the Maronite Church

Videos

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015 - USEK University Conferences- Fr. Hady Mahfouz

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- H.E Michel Edde

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- Mr. Walid Raphael

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015-USEK University Conferences- Mr. Samir Brikho

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- Mr. Antoine Wakim

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- Mr. Marcel Ghanem

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015-USEK University Conferences- Mr. Jacques Kallasi

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- Mr. Charles El Hage

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- Mr. Samir Abdel Malak

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- Mrs. Nada Abi Samra

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- Mr. Joseph Ghossoub

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- USEK University Conferences- Mr. Laurent Aoun

Maronite Foundation- Academy 2015- Graduation Ceremony

Maronite Foundation- Documentary in honor of H.E. Michel Edde- Academy 2015 Graduation Ceremony

Kalam Ennas - 20/8/2015 - كلام الناس -الأكاديمية المارونية

“Lebanon you are a hidden treasure" by Ashley Gabrael - Academy Graduate 2015

Lebanon by Georges Chidiac- Maronite Academy 2015 graduate- USA

Tele lumiere & Noursat- Maronite Academy 2015 by Elie Gemayel

Maronite Foundation -Academy 2015 - Yazbeck Wehbe LBC news report

Photos

The Maronite Academy 2015 Participants

Elie Matar

| Australia

Nadia-Rita Mouawad

| Australia

Joseph Boustany

| Australia

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I have been to Lebanon many times but the journey of summer 2015 with the Maronite Academy was incredibly unique and surpassed all my expectations. Whilst preparing for the trip, we learnt a lot about the importance of claiming and preserving our Lebanese identity. We also encouraged and assisted people in claiming their Lebanese citizenship. During the trip we were inspired by the conviction and passion of a number of speakers who further promoted their beliefs and ideas through the conferences we attended. But the greatest testimony was our group. A group made up of over sixty youth of Lebanese-descent from fifteen different countries across the world! Cultural barriers instantly dissipated over the mutual love for Lebanon and its traditions, the zeal for the Maronite faith, the hospitality, creativity, intelligence, resilience and the persistent joy which we all shared and united us as a group from day one. These common and innate virtues were a living proof of the reality of our shared identity which has been sacredly nurtured within our families. This amazing group proved that our identity as Lebanese is an invaluable treasure, far beyond a piece of paper or a mere statistic, which we ought to protect! Over two weeks we participated in an extensive program that allowed us to experience Lebanon from a historical, cultural, political, social and spiritual dimension like never before. For me, the ultimate experience was the hike through Qadicha and Quannoubine valley. This is the land where our Maronite forefathers first walked, lived, and suffered in order to defend and protect our Maronite faith. To be able to walk in their footsteps in the valley where they sacrificed all they had was an incredibly humbling experience. I thank the Maronite Foundation for granting me the opportunity to connect with Lebanon and gain such inspirational Lebanese brothers and sisters from all over the world. I would like to thank Father Fady Kmeid and Mrs. Hiam Boustani In particular for their utmost dedication to the program. I support the Foundation’s continued mission in inspiring the young Christian Lebanese diaspora to reconnect with their Lebanese roots and be proud ambassadors of their Lebanese identity no matter where they are in the world! In this way we will be truly upholding the dignity that Lebanon deserves, irrespective of its political instability, and our lives can rightly attest to Saint Pope John Paul II's message that "Lebanon is more than a country, it is a message"!

Carmen-Maria Owaida

| Canada

Jessica Fares

| Canada

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The two weeks spent at the Maronite Academy felt like a lifetime. I believe that everything happens for a reason and that God has helped me build an international loving family. I have met the most kind-hearted, motivated, and inspiring individuals in a span of two weeks. I have seen Lebanon through new eyes, from a different angle, with a different mindset. I got to share this amazing experience with my class as we learned about the faith, culture, and history of our ancestors. Despite the negativity that is constantly portrayed, my love for Lebanon burns nothing but stronger. The resilience and faith that the nation carries can be resembled to the phoenix. I resemble it to a crying child falling off his bicycle and getting back up over and over again, a burning candle that is constantly lit after the wind blows it off, or a nostalgic individual whose emotions come back even stronger every time he is reunited with his family. I could not refrain the tears that dripped down at the sight of Lebanon shrinking behind me, slowly, and eventually vanishing. I have spent the best two weeks of my life with the best people from all corners of the world, and I am now proud to call them my international siblings. Lebanon, we will meet again. To my international family, the 2015 ambassadors, I love you and you will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you to the Maronite Academy 2015! Words cannot express my gratitude, God bless you always!

Chantal Abou Jaoudi

| Canada

Maria Amalia Fadul Nunez

| Dominican Republic

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The opportunity to discover Lebanon and its beautiful sceneries, reconnect with my roots, and make new friends who share the same love for this amazing country is invaluable; it is an opportunity I will eternally be grateful for. I am very happy to have been part of the 2015 Maronite Academy and I personally thank all the members of the Maronite Foundation for making this possible. Being part of this was one of the greatest blessings I have had. You are always in my heart.

Elise AZAR

| France

Paola Kouyoumji

| France

Roxane Maroun

| France

The Maronite Academy 2015 Educational trip to Lebanon

Courses

Videos

Photos

The Maronite Academy 2015 Participants

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