CIPE’s greatest strengths come from its partners. I am privileged to work every day with courageous individuals and organizations across the Middle East (and the world), who share our democratic values and want to help their communities achieve new freedoms and opportunity. Among them is the Development for People and Nature Association (DPNA) of Lebanon, with whom CIPE has been partnered since 2006. I wrote recently about our work with DPNA, in the midst of challenging times, on CIPE’s Community of Young Entrepreneurs Blog.
Yesterday, DPNA celebrated ten years since its establishment. CIPE is honored to have played a role in DPNA’s work over much of its history. DPNA is a highly ambitious and dynamic organization. Its programs range from environmental initiatives, to humanitarian assistance, to reforming the entrepreneurship ecosystem – the field in which our cooperation is focused.
With CIPE’s support, DPNA is helping Lebanon’s youth turn their entrepreneurial ambitions into reality and become productive members of civil society through various education, training, and mentorship initiatives. As part of a national coalition to reform the Lebanese educational system, DPNA is ensuring that the principles of entrepreneurship are included in curricula at all levels of school. These are impressive feats for a small NGO from southern Lebanon.
On behalf of all of us at CIPE, congratulations to our friends at DPNA on this tremendous milestone, and best wishes for another ten years of even greater success!
Stephen Rosenlund is Program Officer for the Middle East & North Africa & CIPE.