On December 9 and 10, 2013 ,under the patronage of the Minister of Justice, His Excellency Mr. Chakib Kortbawi, the Faculty of Law of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) organized an international symposium entitled: “Right to Information or Freedom of Information?”

Ms. Darina Saliba Abi Chedid inaugurated the symposium, and the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law, Reverend Father Talal Hachem, subsequently discussed this symposium, held as part of the 25th anniversary of the Faculty of Law, noting: “The right to information, as with most legal concepts which are based on fundamental principles, includes polysemy. He has even stated that the right to information is a major right. Some even consider it complementary or a synonym for the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression.”

The Director of The United Nations Information Centre, Mr. Bahaa El Kousy said: “Today's world is centered on information. Every nation, society and individual in our world needs the optimal quantity and quality of information to enable the continuity and the rise of the productivity.” He said that the right to information is essential for enabling women to ensure their rights as well as gender equality. It is, moreover, essential to guarantee the rights of people with special needs and of the minorities.

The representative of the President of the Lebanese Editors Syndicate, Mr. Elias Aoun, thanked the University which provides a continuous presence on the scene of modern scientific research, following the latest developments and changes in our world today. He finally concluded: “It is a serious mistake to use the freedom of information and especially the privacy of individuals for vindictive purposes.”

Michael Karanicolas, from the Rights and Democracy Center, said: “96 countries in the world have issued a decree stipulating the right to information, with the exception of Lebanon. It should be noted that 3 of 22 countries in the Arab world have this right.”
Then Mr. Clive Baldwin from Human Rights Watch said: "The constituting act of the international law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which appeared 65 years ago, stipulate in Article 69 that all individuals have the right to freedom of opinion and expression.”

Mr. Antoine Boustany, President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians has indicated: “Through the centuries, the information was disseminated by rumors or by coincidence and with the release of the principle of democracy and its application, the right to information was disclosed to keep pace with the change of this democracy.”

The President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz, considered that the theme of this symposium is important. He spoke about the relationship between the information and the people and their education, as well as the way in which a person receives and disseminates information. He closed his speech by saying: “[...] the eyes meet first and foremost on the person, on his/her incomplete situation and on its aspiration to perfection or decline. Concerning the question of the right to information and freedom of information, we must first think about the education of a person based on the principle of freedom and truth, in other words, we must think about education in loving the others and the sense of belonging to the human family [...]”

The Minister of Justice, His Excellency Mr. Chakib Kortbawi, closed the opening ceremony by congratulating the University and hoping that the sole objective of officials and students at the Faculty of Law would be the best scientific standards that constitute the wealth of Lebanon.

Finally, Reverend Father Mahfouz presented badges of honor to the speakers. Other sessions were held the next day, and were attended by Lebanese and foreign experts.