Nimat Asaad Kanaan
Personal information
Nimat Asaad Kanaan
Former Director General, Consultant
Contact information (Private)
+961 5 452453
Education
Education:
- Master's degree, Education Psychology and Sociology, 1964, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
- Bachelor degree, Education and Psychology, 1958, Beirut College for Women (currently Lebanese American University), Lebanon.
Work history
Previous Professions:
- Consultant to the Executive Secretary, 2005 - 2007, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
- Director General, 1993 - 2005, Ministry of Social Affairs, Republic of Lebanon.
- Acting Director General, 1992, Ministry of Social Affairs, Republic of Lebanon.
- Deputy Director General, 1992, Ministry of Public Health, Republic of Lebanon.
- Acting Director General, 1972, Office of Social Development, Republic of Lebanon.
- Director, 1968, Social Services Department, Office of Social Development, Republic of Lebanon.
- Acting Director, 1967, Social Services Department, Office of Social Development, Republic of Lebanon.
- Head, 1963, Social Services Department, Office of Social Development, Republic of Lebanon.
Major Achievements
Publications (Books, Articles, Reports, etc.):
- Asaad Kanaan, N. (2008). Social work in Lebanon: Its beginnings, development, and future scope (in Arabic). Beirut: Raidy Press.
- Asaad Kanaan, N. (1996). National plan proposal to face the problem of juvenile delinquency. Beirut: Ministry of Social Affairs.
- Asaad Kanaan, N. (1980). Social services in Lebanon. Beirut: Office of Social Development.
- Asaad Kanaan, N. (1977). Single mothers in Lebanon. Unpublished study. Beirut: Lebanese University.
- Asaad Kanaan, N. (1965). Social welfare in a social institution. Unpublished master's thesis. Beirut: American University of Beirut.
Major achievements:
- First woman in Lebanon to hold the position of Director General in a governmental institution.
- Over forty years of experience in social development, including technical, managerial, and decision-making roles.
- Played a major role in drafting the bill to establish the Ministry of Social Affairs and the organizational decrees for this ministry.
- Played a key role in developing the draft law to establish the National Commission for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities.
- Launched the program to secure the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.
- Proposed a pioneering project to establish a Development Services Center (basic services) as a model for a plan covering all of Lebanon.
- Played a key role in drafting Law No. 220/2000, which aims to secure the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.
- Led the first population census in Lebanon since 1932 in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
- Played a key role in proposing the establishment of several national committees approved by the Council of Ministers, such as the Higher Council for Childhood, the National Committee for Literacy, the National Population Committee, and the National Commission for the Elderly.
- Played a key role in setting standards for services provided by NGOs and the Ministry of Social Affairs to social institutions.
- Her name was listed among the notable figures in the Who's Who book published by the American Biographical Institute in 1999 and 2005.
- Participated in developing the draft international convention to secure the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- Supervised the publication of over 60 publications for the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), including joint publications with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), on various topics such as drug addiction, NGO management in Lebanon, population and housing, reproductive health, socio-economic conditions in Lebanon, social work, volunteer work, and youth.
- Participated in workshops related to aging, childhood, development, disability, family, illiteracy, population, and NGOs from 1992 to 2005.
- Delivered lectures at various universities, training centers, workshops, and conferences on social work.
Exhibitions, lectures & performances:
- Giving lectures in different universities, training centers, workshops, and conferences, related to social work.
Accomplishments
Distinctions:
- Title of "Millenium Woman" by the British Biographical Institute, 1999.
Awards:
- Cedars Medal of the Lebanese Republic (Commendore), 2005.
- Woman of the Year Award from the American Biographical Institute, 1999 & 2005.
- Said Akl Award, 2002
- Lebanese Government Medal of Labour of First Order, 1978.
Competences & Skills
Field(s) of Expertise:
- Education
- Development
- Managing a Public Institution
- Social Welfare
- Strategic Planning
Languages:
- Arabic
- English