Mr. Michel Ghazal

President - Ghazal Foundation
Naming

I created the “Ghazal Foundation for Education, Research and Peace in Lebanon”, a foundation that has two main objectives:

• - The first objective is to reward, support and encourage Lebanese NGOs and associations that work towards promoting coexistence and better relations among different Lebanese communities. We can call this initiative peace and conflict prevention. This objective means a lot to me, and I’ve successfully achieved it. I am hopeful that this year, I will have the opportunity to visit Lebanon and present this award for the seventh consecutive year.
• - The second objective is education, as it is evident that young people are the future of the country. Last year, the peace prize was awarded to an NGO dedicated to youth and education.

Supporting education is crucial because the gravest situation arises when young people see no other future than leaving and emigrating. When they perceive that their opportunities are limited in Lebanon, they often feel compelled to leave. Therefore, it’s essential to support education, particularly in Lebanon. It would be truly disheartening if one had to go abroad to access the necessary education to enter the job market. I speak from personal experience, I left in 1973 and I still live in France. It is true that in the time of Father Ducruet - thanks to whom I got a scholarship - a teaching position, here, at USJ was waiting for me. However, once they leave, how many young people will return?

Education is the key for the youth; they are the ones who will shape the country’s future. What kind of future are we offering them today? They need to feel that they still have a place, that they can still play a role in this country. Education is the first step, along with family. Then, their family will support them in continuing their studies.

Why USJ? Because that’s where I pursued my studies in economics. Although I was concurrently studying law at the Lebanese University, it is at USJ where I found the opportunity to advance my academic pursuits. When the time came for me to pursue a PhD, which I knew was not an option in Lebanon (and which I deserved given that I was the valedictorian), Father Ducruet played a pivotal role in securing a scholarship from the French government for me. This scholarship, one of only five awarded, enabled me to pursue my PhD studies in Paris. My parents, who were struggling financially, used to tell all of us - there were 5 of us and still are - that education was the only legacy they could give us, offering us the tools to build our futures.

USJ’s mission is unique: personally, my initial interaction was with the Financial Aid Office, which I found to be exceptionally well structured. […] The establishment of Fondation USJ was another significant milestone. I vividly recall Carmel’s words during the foundation’s inception, highlighting USJ’s recognition of the alumni’s desire to contribute to its social and educational endeavors. Alongside initiatives like “Opération 7e jour”, which I proudly supported two years ago due to its alignment with a mission closely tied to peace, USJ is undoubtedly on the right path. Today, it can rightfully take pride in its accomplishments.

I am very grateful and loyal by nature… I am genuinely grateful for the scholarship I received in 1973, without which leaving Lebanon would have been impossible. My parents had modest financial means, and I would have never had the personal and professional journey I have had without access to that scholarship. Yes, I have had some success… Today, I can proudly say that I’ve earned everything that I have; not once did I steal. I’ve worked hard and I now make a good living. Motivated by this gratitude and a desire to give back, I established a foundation entirely dedicated to my homeland’s objectives. One has to know how to give without expecting anything in return. That is the true meaning of giving, of generosity. My parents, despite their limited means, taught me the value of sharing from a young age. Their influence has been profound, and we are undeniably shaped by our parents’ example.

…I left Lebanon in 1973, [...] yet in 2012, the foundation’s establishment reignited a meaningful connection with my homeland, revitalizing my bond with the country. Today, I have a room named after me at USJ, and it symbolizes a reciprocal attachment. I admit that when the Rector, Father Daccache, told me about it, I felt a certain pride and a lot of emotion. It touched me enormously when he said he would do it. I know that I am an integral part of the family even though I don’t live in Lebanon. The plaque is there; I see it. It’s a source of pride and has sparked a lot of emotion. Initially, it was the Rector’s lounge, and then it became the room for lifelong learning.

Every time I visit Lebanon for the Peace Prize in December, the Financial Aid Office organizes a meeting with the scholarship recipients and we discuss their projects. Through my foundation in France, my scholarship recipients know they can come to France, and I will continue to support them. Therefore, every year, I have 2 or 3 students. Whenever I meet the recipients of my scholarship, they express their gratitude towards me, I suggest that the best way to express gratitude is for them to do as I did, if possible! [...] Within my circle, I’ve discussed it extensively, and I persist in doing so. As far as I know, at least two individuals have generously contributed to the foundation, which brings me great joy. I remain hopeful that more will follow suit in their generosity. Nothing brings more satisfaction than giving; giving and sharing are genuine sources of satisfaction.

I am very happy. It warms my heart to feel that I am helping all these students. I have gained the conviction that beyond relatives, family, and parents to whom we can give [...] there is also the great family of humanity that binds us all. Somewhere along the line, I became aware of this, and it has given me great pleasure. I am happy to say that I give to humanity beyond myself, and nobody knows it. When you give without expecting anything in return, you still receive an increase in self-esteem, and I think that’s the greatest gift we can give ourselves.