On the occasion of International Nurses’ Day, the department of Nursing Sciences at the faculty of Public Health initiated a conference on “Leadership in nursing” to showcase how Nursing shapes the Healthcare’s Future, benefiting the economy and society.

The conference hosted Mr Elie Aaraj, the Founding President of the Lebanese Order of Nurses and one of the founders and Managing Director of the Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA). His innovative work and skills in leadership have been recognized by several medals and awards among which the Kim Mo Im Award for Innovation and Impact on Health Policy 2019 from the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

The conference was introduced by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Diala El Khoury and moderated by the Vice Dean and Head of the Nursing Sciences Department, Dr Ghada Khawand Aylé. The discussions that followed highlighted ten policy actions outlined in the ICN Charter for Change that governments and employers must undertake to value, protect, respect, and invest in nurses for a sustainable future in nursing and healthcare. Mr. Aaraj then addressed the students’ numerous questions and provided recommendations on how they could contribute to enhancing the political, managerial, and clinical leadership within the nursing profession.

The conference concluded with a meeting involving Professor Georges Nehme, President of Université La Sagesse and Dr. Rayan Haykal, Vice-President for Academic Affairs. This meeting provided an opportunity to underscore the necessity to shift perspectives—to elevate nurses from being invisible to indispensable—and to illustrate how strategic investment in nursing can yield significant economic and societal benefits. Finally, Prof. Nehme addressed ULS nursing students, sharing his vision and recommendations.