Beirut, 10 December 2021: The Youth Leadership Programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has collaborated with the Lebanese artist Manel Mallat to produce a music video titled “Pledge to Humanity”, on the occasion of the International Day for Human Rights. The songfeatures over 90 Lebanese youth in a message of peace and hope.

This collaboration comes at a time where Lebanon is affected by a multifaceted crisis, with the brunt being felt by young people and vulnerable groups across the country. UNDP’s Youth Leadership Programme has played an active role since 2015 in empowering young people in the Arab States region, including Lebanon. It is at the forefront of mitigating the impact of the crisis in Lebanon, with a focus on supporting young women and men to design and implement innovative, impactful, and sustainable development solutions and providing them with a safe space for expressing their hopes.

“This song was recorded in Lebanon eighteen years ago. But, due to the difficult situation at the time, it was never released. Nearly two decades later, its message of peace and hope is more pertinent than ever.  We offer it today as a tribute to the youth of the world.” Manel Mallat, Lebanese Artist.

“The energy of the youth is contagious, it is a driving force of positive change that is much needed in our world today. This song will not solve the world’s issues, but it will help in getting the message across; that urgent action is needed to protect and safeguard the rights of those in the most vulnerable situations, including among the youth.” Nada Sweidan, UNDP Social Local Development Programme Officer and Youth Focal Point.

The song was written and composed by the late Maya Massoud 18 years ago and comes to life in this music video that portrays the youth on their way to new beginnings.

The music video is now available on UNDP’s YouTube Channel and on most streaming platforms; Anghami, Apple Itunes, Deezer, and Spotify.

ABOUT UNDP AND THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

In recognition of the vital role youth play in achieving development goals, UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States launched the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) in 2015. YLP aims to empower change-makers and support the young women and men to design and implement innovative, impactful, and sustainable development solutions, whether in the form of social enterprises, nonprofits, NGOs, initiatives, or campaigns.

ABOUT MANAL MALLAT

Manel Mallat is a Lebanese French singer, songwriter and actress born in Carthage, Tunisia. She is committed to social concerns and humanitarian causes.  Since 2008, she has been a lead soloist, an active committee member and a show producer in “Heartbeat”, an NGO that treats children born with heart disease. She is also a high profile supporter of the “YLP” (Youth Leadership Foundation provided by the UNDP). In early July 2019, she became an advocate of the Digital Pride Campaign and launched her debut single “Kol Al Alwan”, a song written and composed by Anthony from Adonis in collaboration with the “AFE” (Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality) and “M-Coalition”. The song is a tribute to the fight for equal rights for all humans.

Beside managing “Cats Production”, an international entertainment and production company based in Beirut, Manel is currently working on her extended play which is scheduled to be released by early 2022.

For more information, please contact

In UNDP – Lebanon        |  Rana Moughabghab      | rana.moughabghab@undp.org |  +961 3 835 351