Education is critically important for building a resilient society. Last year, I witnessed an impressive scene in a tented settlement in Bekaa, where a Syrian teacher was telling a Syrian folktale to children displaced from Syria. As they listened to the story being told to them in a gentle and joyful voice, the children’s eyes were radiant. At that moment, I felt that these children had recovered their dignity and confidence.

I realized that education represents a means for preserving human dignity and relieving suffering. It brings hope to children, who in turn bring brightness to communities.

The government of Japan has been providing assistance to a variety of education projects in Lebanon. One of our priorities in this area is to improve the educational environment, especially the water and sanitation facilities of schools. Recently, our embassy concluded an agreement with union of municipalities of Jabal Amel in the south to assist in the urgently-needed rehabilitation of 13 public schools, including the improvement of their water and sanitation facilities. A number of schools in Lebanon have taken the generous step of accommodating displaced Syrian children, and we continue to support such schools in a bid to help them meet these challenges. We are looking forward to seeing children shine.