联合国西亚经济社会委员会-“可持续发展目标故事”项目，第五阶段2025-2026（英）

THE ESCWA STORIES Volume 5Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia - ESCWADrawings: Ralf DoumitFirst EditionBeirut 2025VISIONESCWA, an innovative catalyst for a stable, just and flourishing Arab region. MISSIONCommitted to the 2030 Agenda, ESCWA’s passionate team produces innovative knowledge, fosters regional consensus and delivers transformational policy advice.Together, we work for a sustainable future for all. Most of the characters and events portrayed in the stories are based on true stories from the Arab region. Shams, Izdihar, Ms. Demagh, Mr. Arkam, Salam and Adila are friends with different skills and abilities who strive to achieve prosperity in their neighbourhood, which represents the country.Ward and her grandfather are from two different generations; they represent the continued past-to-future concept of sustainable development.The stories in this book are inspired by the themes of the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, 2025). Shams Shams (Sun): Bright like the sun, she loves to see nature blossom and nothing hurts her more than seeing the environment suffer. Ms. Demagh Ms. Demagh (Miss Brains): Her motto is: “Brains come first!” She wants to show everybody, young and old, the value of technology.Adila Adila (Justice): A tireless advocate for gender justice and equality, she hates injustice and biases.SalamSalam (Peace): Suitably named, he avoids conflict and uses wisdom to resolve disputes.Mr. Arkam Mr. Arkam (Mr. Numbers): Living up to his name, he won’t believe a statement unless it’s backed up by data and statistics.Izdihar Izdihar (Prosperity): His mission in life is to make his and other communities flourish and thrive.Meet ESCWA’s friendsStory IOn compassion and respectIt’s such a beautiful day, but you have a frown on your face, Grandpa!Aunt Dana? I love her! What happened?Why was it you that she called? Oh, Ward… I just got back from my niece Dana’s house.She called me and told me she wants to leave her husband and she needs a place to stay, so I rushed over.Neighbourhood square5She doesn’t have parents, so I’m like a father to her.Why did she decide to leave her husband?He hit her and verbally abused her.Ward! That’s an unacceptable thing to say! There are no circumstances under which a woman should be treated that way. Abuse can never be justified!Grandpa, Dana must have done something to make him angry.She wants to divorce Jihad because he was abusive to her.That’s so strange. Uncle Jihad is always so nice.6Thank you for being here. I asked you to come because Dana has decided she wants a divorce. She trusts you all very much.That’s ok, Jihad. We’ll help in any way we can.Are you here to encourage her to leave me?No, of course not.He was verbally abusive, beat me, and insulted me in front of our daughters.We came to find out what would cause a mother to make the difficult decision to leave her children. Is this true, Jihad?Yes…We’re not going to ask Dana to change her mind. She’s an adul