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Shorter Announces 'Rebecca Dykes Chevening Scholarship' at Beirut Ceremony

In memory of Rebecca Dykes, the slain UK Embassy employee, a commemoration ceremony was held Wednesday at the Mar Elias Church in Beirut's Kantari area.

The service was attended by British Ambassador to Lebanon Hugo Shorter, embassy staff and Rebecca's family. Also present were Minister of State for Women's Affairs Jean Oghassabian representing President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri, MP Yassine Jaber representing Speaker Nabih Berri, Brig. Gen. Omar Murad representing Army chief General Joseph Aoun and Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf, Col. Imad Dimashkiyeh representing General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, General Elias Toubaji representing ISF chief Maj. Gen. Imad Othman, in addition to ambassadors, ministers, embassy friends, and partner organizations with which Rebecca worked during her time in Lebanon.

Guests were welcomed by the Archbishop of Beirut Boulos Matar, representing Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi.

The order of service included a tribute to Rebecca’s life, her work in Lebanon, the values she lived for and testimonials from friends and partner organizations.

Ambassador Shorter also spoke about the Rebecca Dykes fund and announced 'The Rebecca Dykes Chevening Scholarship' that will be granted each year to a female Lebanese or Palestinian residing in Lebanon to pursue her Masters Degree in the UK in subject areas related to Gender Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development and Human Rights and Refugee and Migration Studies.

For her legacy to be made known to others working in the humanitarian field, Rebecca's family hopes to raise sufficient funds to establish the Rebecca Dykes Foundation, which will focus on humanitarian and stabilization work for refugees and other vulnerable communities, with a particular emphasis on female empowerment and the prevention of violence against women.

For donations, you can visit Rebecca's JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rebecca-j-dykes

Source: Naharnet


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