The AiW organized two Food for Thought (F4T) sessions on the abolition of the death penalty in Lebanon, one at the LAU Beirut campus and another at the Byblos campus. The sessions featured Dr. Ogarit Younan, a lifelong advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and founder of the Academic University for Non-Violence and Human Rights (AUNOHR), alongside her colleague, Ms. Hala Bou Ali. Together, they shared insights about the long history of advocacy and struggle for the abolition of the death penalty, reflecting on the efforts that ultimately culminated in the recent abolition of the law.

The discussions provided students with an opportunity to explore the death penalty in depth, examining its legal, ethical, and human rights implications, as well as the broader significance of abolition in Lebanon. Through an open exchange of ideas, students engaged with the speakers on the challenges of advancing human rights reforms and the importance of sustained civil society advocacy in achieving legislative change.

To encourage active participation and critical reflection, both sessions also included group activities that invited students to discuss key questions surrounding the death penalty and the abolition process. A short video screening complemented the discussions, providing additional context and encouraging students to reflect on the importance of non-violence, human dignity, and the role of collective action in advancing human rights.