Keynote Speakers 2019
Zeina Daccache
Zeina Daccache
Zeina, through the NPO she founded in 2007, Catharsis-Lebanese Center for Drama Therapy, brought the innovative tools of drama therapy to Lebanon. In 2009, she produced the theatre production “12 Angry Lebanese” with inmates of Roumieh Prison. This pioneering production as well as the documentary that emerged from the process received international acclaim and led to the implementation of Law 463 in 2009 (the reduction of sentences for good behavior). In 2011, she created the play “Scheherazade in Baabda”, with women inmates of Baabda prison where they shared their personal stories in an attempt to heal their wounds and hold up a mirror to Lebanese society about the oppression of women. Her 2nd feature documentary “Scheherazade’s Diary” won 10 international awards.
Zeina, through the NPO she founded in 2007, Catharsis-Lebanese Center for Drama Therapy, brought the innovative tools of drama therapy to Lebanon. In 2009, she produced the theatre production “12 Angry Lebanese” with inmates of Roumieh Prison. This pioneering production as well as the documentary that emerged from the process received international acclaim and led to the implementation of Law 463 in 2009 (the reduction of sentences for good behavior). In 2011, she created the play “Scheherazade in Baabda”, with women inmates of Baabda prison where they shared their personal stories in an attempt to heal their wounds and hold up a mirror to Lebanese society about the oppression of women. Her 2nd feature documentary “Scheherazade’s Diary” won 10 international awards.
She also produced and directed theatre plays that lobbied for policy change, with Migrant Domestic Workers (Shebaik Lebaik, 2014) and residents in psychiatric hospitals (From the Bottom of my brain, 2013).
She also produced and directed theatre plays that lobbied for policy change, with Migrant Domestic Workers (Shebaik Lebaik, 2014) and residents in psychiatric hospitals (From the Bottom of my brain, 2013).
In 2016, she directed the play “Johar… Up in the Air” interpreted by the Roumieh inmates, that conveyed the messages of the mentally ill inmates and those sentenced to life to the society and decision makers. The project led to 2 draft laws aiming for a suitable Legislation for Mentally ill Inmates & Inmates Sentenced to Life, prepared by Catharsis and submitted to the Lebanese Parliament.
In 2016, she directed the play “Johar… Up in the Air” interpreted by the Roumieh inmates, that conveyed the messages of the mentally ill inmates and those sentenced to life to the society and decision makers. The project led to 2 draft laws aiming for a suitable Legislation for Mentally ill Inmates & Inmates Sentenced to Life, prepared by Catharsis and submitted to the Lebanese Parliament.
Moreover, she offers individual therapy at her private practice clinic and she works with corporations who wish to increase the productivity of their staff, and enhance their interpersonal and communication skills.
Moreover, she offers individual therapy at her private practice clinic and she works with corporations who wish to increase the productivity of their staff, and enhance their interpersonal and communication skills.
She is the recipient of many awards given for her distinguished contributions to the field of social initiatives and services.
She is the recipient of many awards given for her distinguished contributions to the field of social initiatives and services.
Zeina Daccache holds an MA in Clinical Psychology, is a Registered Drama Therapist (NADTA), Board Certified Trainer (NADTA), and Founder of Catharsis- Lebanese Center for Drama Therapy
Zeina Daccache holds an MA in Clinical Psychology, is a Registered Drama Therapist (NADTA), Board Certified Trainer (NADTA), and Founder of Catharsis- Lebanese Center for Drama Therapy
Mohammad Asfour
Mohammad Asfour
A passionate green global citizen, Mohammad Asfour has served on the board of the WorldGBC, Chaired the WorldGBC MENA Network and the Jordan Green Building Council.
A passionate green global citizen, Mohammad Asfour has served on the board of the WorldGBC, Chaired the WorldGBC MENA Network and the Jordan Green Building Council.
He served as a Senior Adviser at the USAID Energy Sector Capacity Building Program and as the Environment, Water and Energy Sector Lead at the USAID Jordan Economic Development Program. Mohammad was appointed as an adviser to the Board of Trustees at the Princess Sumaya University for Technology, founded the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship and worked on developing the concept behind El Hassan Science City.
He served as a Senior Adviser at the USAID Energy Sector Capacity Building Program and as the Environment, Water and Energy Sector Lead at the USAID Jordan Economic Development Program. Mohammad was appointed as an adviser to the Board of Trustees at the Princess Sumaya University for Technology, founded the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship and worked on developing the concept behind El Hassan Science City.
He also worked at the Jordan Investment Board and served as a consultant for the UNDP, UNIDO, and USAID 's AMIR Program. He was appointed as a regional advisor to OECD' s MENA Investment Program, chaired UNEP - SBCI's Advocacy Committee and was a founding board member at Al Shajarah NGO.
He also worked at the Jordan Investment Board and served as a consultant for the UNDP, UNIDO, and USAID 's AMIR Program. He was appointed as a regional advisor to OECD' s MENA Investment Program, chaired UNEP - SBCI's Advocacy Committee and was a founding board member at Al Shajarah NGO.
Mohammad also co-founded Ahel Al Balad, which is a grassroots movement that aims at spreading positivity in the community through volunteering.
Mohammad also co-founded Ahel Al Balad, which is a grassroots movement that aims at spreading positivity in the community through volunteering.
Mohammad received his BA in Business from the University of Jordan and his Masters in Positive Leadership and Strategy from the IE Business School in Madrid.
Mohammad received his BA in Business from the University of Jordan and his Masters in Positive Leadership and Strategy from the IE Business School in Madrid.