Maha El Khalil Chalabi
Personal information
Maha El Khalil Chalabi
President, Tyre Foundation
Contact information (Work)
Community/Lebanon Impact
Maha al-Khalil Chalabi, a Lebanese heiress and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, founded the International Association to Save Tyre (AIST) in 1980 to protect the city’s archaeological sites. After the Lebanese Civil War, she advocated for Tyre’s cultural status, leading to its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Despite facing challenges from the Amal Movement, Chalabi continued her efforts, launching initiatives like the Artisans’ village “Les Ateliers de Tyr” and being designated a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2016.
Social Media
Education
Education:
- 1950 - 1958: Secondary Education, School of the Francisan Sisters of Beirut.
- 1960: Art and Philosophy, Beirut University College (LAU Beirut).
- 1960: Political Sciences, Saint Joseph University of Beirut.
- 1958: Social Worker Diploma, French Faculty of Medicine, Beirut.
- 1984: 3rd cycle thesis, West/East Relationship analyzed through Tyre travelers 16th to 19th centuries, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Sorbonne, Paris.
Work history
Previous Professions:
- 2008 - Present: Founder and President, Tyre Foundation, Geneva.
- 1980 - Present: Founder and General Secretary, International Association to Save Tyre.
- 1992 - Present: Founder, Artyr Design.
Major Achievements
Publications (Books, Articles, Reports, etc.):
- 2008: Phoenician Art - New Phoenician Expressions, Edition Georges Naef.
- 1984: West/East Relationship analyzed through Tyre travelers, 16th to 19th centuries.
Accomplishments
Awards:
- 2016: Goodwill Ambassador, UNESCO.
- 1988: Officer of the National Order of the Cedar, Awarded by the Lebanese President.
- 1986: Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite, Awarded by the French President.
- 1986: Officier de l'Order des Arts et des Lettres, Awarded by the French Minister of Culture.