The Department of Marketing and Management (DMM) and the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (DHTM) at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics (FBAE), Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), organized on Monday May 8, 2017, a seminar titled, “Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Resource Management: Overcoming the Challenge in the Workplace.”
This seminar addressed the challenges of physical handicaps in the workplace mostly by highlighting the issues and by demonstrating how some Lebanese firms successfully tackle them.
DHTM Chairperson George Ghaleb said, “Social responsibility is no longer an option. It is the duty of every business.” Ghaleb added, “We all have handicaps that prevent us from performing a certain task: some are lousy at math, others are shy and bad at public speaking, but we complement each other.”
DMM Chairperson Dr. Jennifer Abou Hamad said, “In the year 2000, Law 220 under the Lebanese Code was promulgated in favor the disabled … This law states that private sector employers must hire at least one disabled person in the cases where they have between thirty and sixty employees, and three percent of the workforce in the cases where they have more than sixty employees.”
FBAE Interim Dean Dr. Youssef Zgheib reminded the audience of the importance of accepting people who are different and ensuring their total integration in work and life challenges. Also, he said today’s youth is the hope of Lebanon’s future and university students are the ambassadors of change.
In addition, four guest speakers shared their life experiences and taught students that no matter life’s obstacles, one has to be ready to get up and continue determinedly.
For her part, Arcenciel Marketing Manager Miguèle Issa introduced Arcenciel’s mission, which is to integrate the disabled into the workplace. Arcenciel is an NGO that emphasizes the social and economic integration of marginalized people and communities back into society.
Arcenciel Electrical Repairs Workshop Manager George Khattar shared his experience with the opening of an electrical repairs workshop in Arcenciel.
Shtrumpf Senior Delivery Operator Jocelyne Makhlouf highlighted the importance of how the restaurant chain supported her throughout her career path.
PepsiCo International MENA Region Network Analysis Senior Manager in Lebanon Abdallah Sacca shared his personal experience and explained that perseverance is the key to success.
Dr. Abou Hamad closed the conference by thanking Omar Sakr for his dedication to this annual event; Dr. Soha Abdelnour Fahed for her role as moderator; the HVM 422 – MICE students and their instructor, Nadim Chakhtoura, who helped in organizing the event; and the NDU community, particularly the Office of Design and Brand Guardian (ODB), the Office of Communications, and the Office of Public Affairs and Events.
Following the seminar, guest speakers were presented with trophies.