On October 11, 2012 the President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz, and members of the University Council, welcomed the President of the Bar in Paris, Christiane Feral-Schuhl, along with the Secretary General of the Council of the Union Bruno Marguet as well as Lawyers Bechara Tarabay and Joe Karam to the USEK main campus.

During the visit, the Faculty of Law organized a meeting with the visitors in the Conference Room where a cooperation agreement was signed between the Bar Association in Paris and the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. The meeting was attended by an elite group of judges, lawyers, professors and students.

This agreement included the following: the Association grants two yearly scholarships for the elite of USEK students. It will assist the Faculty of Law to establish its digital legal documentation and the Faculty, on the other hand, will present to the Association the books and CDs it publishes. Concerning the scientific cooperation, members of the Association will participate in drafting articles published in the legal magazine of USEK. Moreover, a seminar or conference will be organized during the two years following the ratification of this agreement.

Mrs. Solange Tanios inaugurated the ceremony and gave the floor to the Administrator of the Faculty of Law, Reverend Father Talal Hachem, who stated that “International openness is a guarantee for excellence” and added that “This agreement is a rich international educational experience and can be a real stepping stone for our students in their quest for better job opportunities in the future.”

The USEK graduate, in charge of international relations at the Bar Association in Beirut and the Association’s delegate in the committee that implements the cooperation treaty between Beirut and the Paris Bar Association, Lawyer Joe Karam, introduced Mrs. Schuhl as “The first woman to be elected as President of the Bar during the second millennium and the second in history…”

The President of the Bar stated that “… During my campaign, I gave a special attention to young people and their aspirations: gender equality, the environment and sustainable development, the values of citizenship and solidarity, as well as the coexistence between the private and professional life of young people”. She concluded that she is trying to respond to these aspirations through new measures to be applied within the Association.

In his speech, Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz indicated that the aspirations that lead Mrs. Schuhl’s campaign go hand in hand with the principles and mission of the University. He explained that “…gender equality, preserving the environment, unity of private and professional life, solidarity and catholic principles focusing on the wellbeing of humans are the cornerstones of the University mission and principles”.

Finally, a celebratory dinner was organized to honor the visitors.