In the face of universal challenges and conflicts compounded by climate change, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Goodwill Ambassador Michael Haddad completed a walk in Brussels, Belgium, to raise awareness on the topic on June 12, 2025, under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians.

 A longtime partner of LAU, Haddad was accompanied by President Chaouki T. Abdallah and Head of Strategic Communications Saad El Zein.

“Persons with disability are among the most negatively impacted by climate change and conflict, especially in the Arab region,” said Haddad. “I am happy to support UNDP’s focus on leaving no one behind in its endeavor to expand collaboration on the issue of food security, which is more important than ever today, across our region.”

Paralyzed from the chest down due to spinal injury at the age of six, and told that he could never walk again, Haddad overcame the impediment with the aid of a specially designed exoskeleton—developed at LAU—to keep him upright and his unique “swing-to-gait” mechanism that he has devised with the help of crutches.

Haddad’s odd-defying walk started from the UN House, through Brussels’ Royal Park. It was followed by a courtesy meeting with Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium, who is an advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting with the queen featured an insightful exchange about the effects of climate change on food security between the different attendees, including President Abdallah and CEO of Cedar Rock Entertainment and LAU Trustee Thomas Abraham, who is also a longtime supporter of Haddad.

From an education perspective, Dr. Abdallah affirmed LAU’s commitment to the SDGs, illustrating how the university actively pursues programs and initiatives that bolster sustainability in education, operations and service to the community.

“One example is LAU Insignia, a signature pedagogy which informs the university’s Liberal Arts Curriculum, directly impacting undergraduates’ learning experiences from all disciplines,” said Dr. Abdallah.

The event also featured a roundtable discussion hosted by the UNDP, titled: “Strengthening the Agrifood Sector in Arab States: Enhancing Resilience, Food Security and Sustainable Development.”

Organized in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), as well as European stakeholders, the discussion explored avenues for strengthening partnerships between the EU and Arab States to transform food systems.

Haddad plans to perform a 100-kilometer walk across the Arctic expanse of Svalbard, Norway, later this year, to highlight the accelerating climate crisis and amplify UNDP’s call for urgent and scaled-up action to address it.