Lebanon Initiative for Education (LIFE) Phase I: Promoting social and emotional skills among children and teachers in Lebanon
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Profile
- Project leadership
- Doris Kuhn (PHZH), Wiltrud Weidinger Meister (PHZH)
- Project team
- Sabrina Marruncheddu Krause (PHZH), Joseph Feghaly (Mentor & Guide)
- Organisational unit
- W-IB-GBZ (Globale Bildung und Zusammenarbeit)
- Project phase
- In progress (1.1.2026 – 31.12.2027)
- Project type
- Service project
- Funding
- Community Fund of the Canton of Zurich; Leading House MENA
- Participating institutions
- Mentor & Guide; Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
Description
The project LIFE aims to strengthen the pedagogical and socio-emotional skills of teachers working with vulnerable learners amid the ongoing crisis in Lebanon. Despite facing economic collapse, political instability and the world’s highest refugee density, teachers support children from various disadvantaged backgrounds, including those affected by poverty, displacement and psychosocial stress, while opportunities for professional development are largely limited.
The project develops, tests and implements an evidence-based programme that enhances teachers’ resilience and improves their capacity to facilitate social and emotional learning (SEL) among pupils. Based on national and international SEL frameworks, the project shifts the focus to pupils, particularly emphasising the well-being and skills of teachers as key figures in learning.
Phase I (2026–2027) is carried out by Zurich University of Teacher Education in collaboration with partners in Lebanon. This phase comprises a needs assessment, joint programme design and interventions in five pilot schools. An additional research component is funded by the Leading House MENA. In collaboration with the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, a pre-post survey is conducted to evaluate changes in the skills, attitudes, and well-being of the pilot teachers. These results will then be used to adapt the training programme.
LIFE is a project of the Department for International Projects in Education.
