Alternative Academy
The Alternative Academy (AA) is a joint initiative by Lebanon Support and JIBAL.
The AA is a multi-disciplinary space for critical thinking, discussions, and learning. It was born out of a shared quest for intellectually stimulating, affordable and open courses in the country. It provides alternative viewpoints and perspectives on various subjects while encouraging people to revisit and rethink mainstream concepts and ideologies. Ultimately, the AA aims at contributing to building a more open, just and inclusive society.
Fulfilling the mission of the Civil Society Incubator to provide tailored knowledge and support, and in line with Jibal’s strive for environmental and social justice, the Alternative Academy aims to bring scientific knowledge to everyone, in line with the belief in open access to information and lifelong learning.
Lebanon is going through the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
In order to contribute to the containment efforts amidst this public health crisis, the Alternative Academy will cancel all courses planned for March.
However, we believe that making knowledge accessible to the larger public is even more important in this challenging period. We will closely monitor the situation, deliver classes in open air when we can, and favour courses that can help us acquire skill sets that deepen our understanding of the challenges our world is going through.
Thank you all for your support and understanding.
* The Alternative Academy is an independent, self sustainable programme, that only receives logistical support from Eedama, a social enterprise delivering Learning Experiences in the field of environmental sustainability in the UAE and Lebanon.
Spring 2020 (March 2020 courses postponed)
View and download the full catalogue here.
Course 1: Thinking in the Era of Fake News
Course 2: Understanding and Nurturing Children: A Neuroscience Perspective
Course 3: Switch Perspectives: New Approaches to Media Production, Journalism and Storytelling
Course 4: Introduction to Permaculture
Course 5: First Steps towards Sustainability in Architecture
Course 6: Introduction to Entomology: Discover The World of Insects
Course 7: Organizational Development and Change
Course 8: Claiming the City: An interactive course to discover what shapes your city
Course 9: Filmaking for amateurs
Course 10: Financial Management for CSOs
Course 11: An Introduction to the Environmental Crisis: Origins, Impacts and Alternatives
Fall 2019-2020 (postponed in October 2019)
View and download the full catalogue here.
Course 1: Switch Perspectives: New Approaches to Media Production, Journalism and Storytelling
Course 2: Anthropological Perspectives on Applied Research
Course 3: Thinking in the Era of Fake News
Course 4: Neuroplasticity: How Stress and Experience Rewire The Brain
Course 5: Understanding and Nurturing Children: A Neuroscience Perspective
Course 6: Introduction to Permaculture
Course 7: First Steps towards Sustainability in Architecture
Course 8: Introduction to Entomology: Discover The World of Insects
Course 9: Organizational Development and Change
2018 Courses
Course 1: Switch Perspectives: New Approaches to Media Production, Journalism and Storytelling.
Course 2: Rethinking our Approaches to Aid and Development Work: Exploring Power Dynamics and Empowerment.
Course 3: Preparing for Tomorrow's Environmental Challenges: Sustainability, Technologies, Innovation
Course 4: A scientific approach to climate change.
Course 5: The cognitive neuroscience of climate change and social justice