New Training Center Provides Skills and Opportunities for District Youth

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Apr. 17, 2007 - A new community center that will provide job training, education and technology skills to Lebanon's youth officially opened in Bourj Al Barajneh today. This is the sixth development project co-funded by the Professional Computer Association (PCA), Intel Corporation, Mercy Corps, IESC, Cisco, Microsoft, Computer Associates, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The private and public partnership worked closely with government entities and non-government organizations (NGOs) in Lebanon. 

The opening of the Professional Computer Association of Lebanon Information and Communication Technology Academy (PICTA) is part of a larger humanitarian effort called 'Partnership for Lebanon.' Through the group, Intel, Cisco Systems, GHAFARI Inc., Microsoft and Occidental Petroleum are providing critically needed resources to reconstruct and stabilize the country.

Ten of these connected community centers are expected to be opened within the next year to provide free technology training courses to residents and to provide affordable access to the Internet. The new Bourj Al Barajneh facility is part of a larger 'Center of Excellence' program set up by Mercy Corps that also includes a business incubator and youth and social activities.                 

"The PICTA Centers are important elements in rebuilding communities and in giving a younger generation the needed skills to help them get jobs, "said Khaled Elamrawi, general manager of Intel Egypt, LEVANT and North Africa. "Intel is committed to working with other companies and governments to provide teacher training, expertise and improvements in communications and computing networks to help Lebanon and its citizens grow and thrive economically."

Each PICTA center is designed to help local residents use computers and the Internet, and train young people to develop their information and communication technology (ICT) skills with the aim of increasing potential job prospects.  

"Providing skills and opportunity to Lebanon's youth is a key goal of the Partnership, and for Cisco," said Mark De Simone, Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Cisco.  "We are proud to help establish Internet access, ensure affordable connectivity, and enhance education to meet the needs of communities across Lebanon.  Centers such as this represent what is possible when the public and private sector work together for the Lebanese people."

Charles Nahas, General Manager, Microsoft Eastern Mediterranean and Pakistan added; "Providing access to technology, training, partnership and supporting education are key to Microsoft's efforts in Lebanon to provide all people with the opportunity to realize their full potential by developing new skills and supporting a knowledge-base economy.

"Microsoft is very proud to be part of this initiative, and its Connected Communities Centers Program in Lebanon, to make a positive impact in the lives of people in Lebanon and supporting sustained social and economic development for the country."    

Mercy Corps and PCA have partnered with corporations to create PICTA centers in Southern and Northern Lebanon including Bourj Al Barajneh, Marjaoun and Baalbeck, Nabatiyeh, Bint Jbeil, Batroun and Qana.

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© Press Release 2007