LARA ABBOUD

Lara Abboud, a compassionate professional, is committed to values-based leadership, and advocating for the most vulnerable communities. Currently working as an Information Field Assistant in the ICLA Department at the Norwegian Refugee Council and performing as focal point for the Migrant Domestic Workers' community. Lara's knowledge and understanding of legal and humanitarian matters equip her to inspire the next generation of leaders, aligning with the mission of the Global Thinkers Forum to foster positive change and support youth and women worldwide as it is a narrative of empowerment, empathy, and progress toward a more just and equitable world.

“Nothing Is Permanent and Everything Is Subject to Change”

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

I am a country girl who had to live in the city alone to study and to work from a young age. I graduated from Law school and started my career pre-graduation working in the humanitarian field and now I am working for the UN.

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

One of the most important challenges in my society right now is not being able to set long-term business goals or even take the risk to invest in my country, due to the very unstable security and economic situation in the country. It is hard not being able even to dream about having our own private business.

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 hardest barriers I overcame was a hurdle from within. I overcame several mental boundaries challenging myself to become more confident, more self-loving and a more sociable person. I had this challenge when it came to public speaking, and I tried really hard to get out of my comfort zone by setting myself up in situations under the spotlight. With repetition and consistency, I was able to overcome it and beat my own fears.

Why is the role of a mentor important for you? 

A person who has already figured his way out of the most challenging situation and is winning the battles is someone needed in my life. To share our experiences, to learn resilience, to learn how hard and long I have to stick to my goal until it becomes a reality.

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

Life has taught me is that nothing is permanent and everything is subject to change. In order to survive, you have to train yourself to adapt with the changes.

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! 

From personal experience and after working with the humanitarian sector for more than 4 years, INGOs are filling a big gap, especially those providing legal services due to the need and to the lack of awareness.

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

The change starts from where the challenge is coming. The fundamentals are related to the laws that are discriminating and depriving women of their basic rights. Change starts with the law and its enforcement until it becomes the new social norm.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by. 

“A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it is built for”.

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

If I had unlimited resources, I'd launch a foundation empowering underprivileged communities with education, technology and sustainability.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add?

Thank you for this amazing opportunity.