Founded in 1960

Association for Protecting Natural Sites and Old

Buildings in Lebanon

Headquarters: Achrafieh - Sursock Street - Aoun bldg – Beirut – Lebanon. P.O.Box: 11 154 Beirut - Lebanon

Telfax: 01-334267 - Email: yscapsad@sodetel.net.lb -Website: www.apsad.net - President: Mrs. Raya El DAOUK

APSAD profile January 2018

The Association for Protecting Natural Sites and Old Buildings in Lebanon (APSAD), was founded in 1960 by

Lady Yvonne Sursock Cochrane, Mr. Assem Salam and Mr. Camille Aboussouan with a group of active social,

academic and professional figures bent on protecting the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

A pioneer in its field, APSAD is an officially recognized non-profit organization by Presidential Decree #765.

APSAD is managed by an Executive Committee of 12 members elected for a three year term. The Actual

Executive Committee elected on March 13, 2018 is formed as follows:

President Mrs. Raya Daouk

Vice-President Mr. Costa Doumani

General Secretary Dr. Nabil Nassif

Treasurer Mrs. Asma Freiha

Advisors: Dr. Yasmine Makaroun

Dr. Rawya Majzoub

Msr. Nelly Abdallah

Mrs. Nina Tabourian,

Mrs. Marylene Ghostine

Mrs. Vassiliki Salam

Mrs. India Abdeni

Legal adviser representing APSAD near the Lebanese State Me. Karim Kobeissi

Number of full time employees: 4

Number of members: 80

Between € 25,000 and € 50,000; (public subsidy:

25%; contributions: 50%; donations: 25 %;).

Annual budget

Foundation

Executive Committee

Recently, APSAD has acquired a new dimension as

unplanned postwar constructions are threatening to

deprive Beirut, as well as other Lebanese cities, of their

precious architectural treasures.

Objectives

Since 1960, APSAD seeks to achieve its principal

aims and objectives:

1. To promote the protection and restoration of

ancient buildings with historic and artistic

characteristics and the conservation of natural

sites.

2. Act upon laws protecting the architectural

heritage.

3. Encourage investors to participate in this

preservation in view of its economic benefits.

4. Raise public awareness concerning urban and

environmental problems.

5. Strengthen the fabric of society by a general

mobilization regarding the national heritage,

stimulate public interest and encourage a sense

of civic responsibility.

6. Develop architectural and natural sites to the

extent that Lebanon can regain the tourism

stature it deserves on a regional scale.

7. To encourage an architecture and a town

planning of high quality.

8. Also APSAD seeks to raise awareness and

educate the public at large and to influence the

policies and activities of national and local

institutions and authorities through campaigns,

conferences and debates, publications,

exhibitions, etc.

As part of an expansion policy, APSAD is embarking

on a public outreach campaign to communicate

experiences in saving heritage through its own

experience and also its partnership with international

associations such as Europa Nostra (founded in

1963), Civitas Nostra Europa Nostra (founded

1961) and Patrimoine sans Frontières (founded 1996) with whom it is participating in several

development and rehabilitation projects in Lebanon,

particularly in Salima.

Furthermore, APSAD is the official partner of the

International Council on Monuments and Sites

(ICOMOS). ICOMOS is delegated by UNESCO

for choosing sites to be included on the World

Heritage list. APSAD has also worked with the

World Monument Fund organization in order

to classify the region of Enfeh on the list of the

most 100 endangered sites of the world.

The Association for Protecting Natural Sites and Old Buildings in Lebanon (APSAD) is a nonprofit organization

that acts for the benefit of the general public without any shareholding or profit motive.

2017 activities

1. Inauguration of APSAD’s archeological office at

Deir Al Qamar-Chouf, fully implemented and

renovated by Alwaleed Bin Talal Humanitarian

Foundation. 2. Stop of the project to demolish the "Tanios Ward"

building

2016 planned projects:

1. Official Inauguration of the Zaki Nassif Museum

and Cultural Center and the Music school of

APSAD as part of it in Mashghara in May 21.

2. APSAD will help the owner of the Hammam al

Jadeed of the 18th century in Tripoli in its

renovation offering the plans realized by the

APSAD’s architects;

3. This historical and magnificent site was already

renovated by APSAD in 1972.

4. Beginning of recording the deteriorating stele

at Nahr El-Kalb. The Stele have suffered since

the building of a major highway on the

foundations of a Roman road that used to run

along the promontory where they are situated.

The project is the first phase of what we hope

will be an important and long-term association

with the country.

2015: Launching of a new website for APSAD:

www.apsad.net

2014-Present 1. In December 2014 an agreement has been signed

between FACTUM and APSAD. The agreement

documents the intention to record and preserve

Lebanon's at risk heritage sites in two and three

dimensions. The work will rely not just on

APSAD and the Factum Foundation but also with

the coordination of the Ministry of Culture along

with the generosity of donors, domestic and

international.

The work has been launched in May 2015

Specific Projects

Beneficiaries

Affiliations and Partnerships

2. Archiving and documentation of all APSAD’s

history, projects and activities.

2012-2015: Restoring the house of the famous

Lebanese composer Zaki Nassif in his hometown

Mashghaa in Bekaa west, and transforming it into a

museum and cultural center, including a music school.

2001: Financial support given by the APSAD Keserwan

_Jbeil sub-committee for the restoration of Mar Youssef

church in Jounieh.

2001-2003: Development and Rehabilitation projects

in Jounieh in collaboration with the Municipality and

local institutions.

2000-2003: Rehabilitation of Salima Village in the

mountain.

1999–2003: Contribution to include the Enfeh sites on

the Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered World

Monuments Sites, a program supported by the World

Monuments Fund.

1969: Restoration of Mar Estephan’s 18th century

church in Batroun.

1960: Inventory of Beirut’s historical build.