Dr Nadia Badran

Dr Nadia Badran is the President of the Social Workers’ Syndicate in Lebanon and the Executive Director of SIDC. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences, a Master’s degree in Socio-Educational Counselling from Saint Joseph University of Beirut, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Lebanese University. 

Dr Badran has more than 30 years of experience in health, social development, education, counselling, and community-based programming with children, adolescents, youth, and adults. Her areas of expertise include mental health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, substance use, gender and sexual diversity, youth vulnerability, parenthood, workplace inclusion, stigma, discrimination, and the protection of vulnerable populations. 

She has played a leading role in the development and implementation of programmes addressing the needs and rights of LGBTQI+ people, migrants and refugees, people living with HIV, people who use drugs, sex workers, survivors of sexual violence, and individuals engaged in survival sex. She is actively involved in promoting human rights, strengthening inclusive services, and developing policies and programmes that protect vulnerable and marginalised communities. 

Dr Badran is an experienced regional and international trainer, lecturer, and consultant who has collaborated with United Nations agencies, international non-governmental organisations, governmental institutions, and civil society organisations. She has contributed to hundreds of workshops and capacity-building initiatives in Lebanon and across the Middle East and North Africa region. She has also developed or adapted more than 50 training modules and led more than 100 national and regional training workshops. 

She has served as a member of the WHO Regional Expert Team and has participated in several regional and international advisory groups. She was also part of Maestral International supporting the implementation of a cross-sectoral system for coordination, collaboration, and referral in the areas of child protection, children with disabilities, and early childhood development among other topics related to social service development. 

Dr Badran is a founding member of several community-based organisations and local and regional networks. Through her leadership, training, advocacy, and programme development work, she continues to promote professional social work, inclusive health and social services, and the rights and well-being of vulnerable populations in Lebanon and the region.