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When Service Meets Nature… Lions Embrace the Hima Movement

Fadi Ghanem: Lions’ Engagement in Supporting Hima Marks a Pivotal Milestone for Environmental and Community Action in the Region

The International Association of Lions Clubs – District 351 (Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine), under the leadership of District Governor-Elect for the 2026–2027 term, Mr. Elias Antonios, announced the establishment of a special committee entitled “Supporting Hima and the Friends of the Cedar Forest of Bsharri.” The initiative represents a significant step forward in the Lions’ commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and the preservation of Lebanon’s natural heritage.

The announcement was made during the Officers School for the District Cabinet and the elected leadership teams for the 2026–2027 Lions year, held at the VOCO Hotel in Beirut, in the presence of prominent Lions leaders and environmental and community figures.

The gathering featured a presentation on the Hima approach, internationally recognized as a pioneering model of community-based natural resource management that empowers local communities to conserve biodiversity, protect cultural and natural heritage, and advance sustainable development.

In his address, Governor-Elect Elias Antonios emphasized that environmental protection has become a collective responsibility and reaffirmed that Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization, places environmental sustainability among its key humanitarian and development priorities. He noted that the establishment of the “Supporting Hima and the Friends of the Cedar Forest of Bsharri” Committee marks the beginning of a long-term partnership dedicated to serving both nature and people.

For his part, Fadi Ghanem, Coordinator of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Members Network and Past District Governor of Lions Clubs International, stressed the importance of this initiative, describing the Lions’ endorsement of the Hima concept as a strategic step that strengthens national and regional efforts to conserve biodiversity.

Ghanem highlighted that the Hima approach, rooted in the cultural and civilizational heritage of the Arab region and now recognized globally as an innovative model of environmental governance, provides an effective mechanism for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, safeguarding ecosystems, and empowering local communities to sustainably manage and protect their natural resources.

He further praised the visionary leadership of Governor-Elect Elias Antonios in championing environmental initiatives, affirming that the partnership between Lions and environmental organizations will open new horizons for volunteerism and public service while reinforcing the role of civil society in addressing growing environmental challenges.

It is worth noting that the declarations of “The Patriarchs’ Garden Hima – Diman” and “Bsharri Hima” were made following the active engagement and support of Governor-Elect Elias Antonios and in the presence of Lions Coordinator in Iraq and Past District Governor Nabil Nassour, reflecting the organization’s growing commitment to protecting Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage.

In the same context, Assad Serhal, Middle East Coordinator of BirdLife International and Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), widely known as the “Father of Hima,” commended the initiative, considering it a major contribution to raising environmental awareness across the region, given the extensive reach and influence of Lions Clubs International.

Serhal also praised the complementary cooperation between the Ghadi Foundation and SPNL, which has significantly contributed to advancing the Hima movement and achieving tangible conservation outcomes.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service and friendship organization, bringing together more than 1.4 million members across the globe and increasingly integrating environmental protection and nature conservation into its humanitarian mission.

Governor-Elect Elias Antonios is scheduled to travel to Hong Kong on Tuesday, where he will officially assume his duties as District Governor of District 351 during the Lions International Convention, marking another milestone that underscores Lebanon’s active and influential presence within the global Lions movement.