HASNA NASSER

Hasna Nasser is an Information Field Assistant at the Norwegian Refugee Council-Lebanon which is an international non-governmental humanitarian organization, where she specializes in information provision, data collection, reporting, conducting trainings, awareness sessions and coordination meetings, also undertakes monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure the satisfactory progress, quality, efficiency, and accountability of team's activities, by using different technical digital platforms. Dedicated to her work, she is eager to learn more about new techniques and earn new skills to develop her career pathway.

“Never Lose Hope and Motivation, Keep Trying”

Q: Tell us a few things about you! Your background, your childhood and early beginnings! 

I got a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from a Lebanese University which I chose since I am very passionate and interested in Sociology, Human Science and Psychology, where I had the opportunity to do projects such as Anthropology, Statistics and Social Techniques Studies. During my vacations, I travel because I am passionate about solo tourism travel since it helps me to discover new cultures, traditions and languages. I am also passionate about discovering new adventures such as hiking and skydiving. I am very organised, self-motivated, able to grow positive relationships and dedicated to achieving goals. During my 7 years of experience in the humanitarian sector with the Norwegian Refugee Council, I have worked in the protection, legal, monitoring and evaluation sectors to support the most vulnerable refugees and displaced people of different nationalities with issues including child protection, early marriage and disability. My ambition and interest after graduation was to grow, to develop my skills in social services, humanitarian aid, advocacy and conflict resolution.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

Due to financial, political and the economic crisis, the situation in my society is difficult. People are facing many challenges which are: the high level of the cost of living that has meant people are unable to cover their basic needs; the lack of social stability; the increase of unemployment; lack of awareness about gender equality; the use of power for personal benefits; people with disabilities and the LGBTQ community are treated as minorities with a lack of facilities and access to services.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

One of the hurdles that I have had to overcome many times in my life is the refusal to get to a higher level. I tried many times to apply for the role of an Information Field Officer.  I worked on developing my leadership and managerial skills, took project management training and learned about interview techniques.

Why is the role of a mentor important for you? 

It is very important to me to have guidance, advice and to get help to see a new perspective to find the best opportunities related to my experience and knowledge to move forward, especially from a specialist in the humanitarian related sector. For example, I have started to look for Monitoring and Evaluation positions in Lebanon and for volunteering opportunities abroad with the UN in addition to other opportunities.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

I would like to share what I have learned based on my work experience, which is never lose hope and motivation, keep trying to apply for new positions or opportunities even if it takes time and to ask for constructive feedback to improve and develop my skills.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

I believe that the project that I have worked with during the past 8 years, which is under the protection sector that provides Information, legal counselling and legal services, did great work in supporting vulnerable people.  It helps them to get access to their legal rights, such as getting access to their civil documentation, for example helping to register a birth to protect the rights of a child to get access to identity, work and education and also encourages all people, without discrimination, to claim their rights, while ensuring the Do No Harm and protection during the implementation of the project.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Women in Lebanon face various challenges, including legal discrimination, limited representation in politics and decision-making roles, and cultural norms that restrict their freedom and opportunities. Organisations like the Lebanese Women's Council and the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering are actively working to address these issues and promote gender equality. Also, noted that Plan International with the coordination with Norwegian Refugee Council provides training about Gender Equality.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by. 

Be patient, better late than never.

Q: If you had all the money needed to launch the project of your dreams, can you describe what you would do? 

I would like to have an academic institution that provides training and workshops since I believe that knowledge increases by sharing not by saving and I am looking forward to becoming a professional trainer of training especially on topics related to my experience.