Author: Bertha El Hajj.
09.08.2025 – 19:02. Beirut, Lebanon.
My name is Berta El Hajj, I’m 29, Lebanese, with a background in Lebanese law. I’ve always
been interested in how people relate across differences, whether cultural, religious, or
generational, and how communication can be a tool for understanding rather than division.
I first heard about Dustur through a friend, and I was immediately interested in the project especially that its main goal is to raise awareness on the effective citizenship and the rights and obligations of everyone living in the country. Its goal falls under my degree – understanding, and making laws, policies and rights more accessible to everyone. I appreciate how the organization addresses identity, belonging, and inclusion especially in the context of Arabic speaking youth in Finland.
I am happy to contribute my experience and skills to this work. As my goal is to make the Finnish Constitution, laws, rights and Finland in general more accessible to everyone who is interested to learn more or is ready to practice effectively their rights as a citizen. At the same time, I’m looking forward to learning from the experience. I want to understand more about Finland’s laws and its magic.
I’ve always been curious about Finland. Not just because of its education or social systems, but because of its calm atmosphere and the balance it seems to strike between individual freedom and collective responsibility. I think that’s something we could all learn from, especially coming from more collectivist or high-pressure environments. Also, in the legal field, I think the knowledge I will gather during this project, will allow me to see what makes this country the happiest country in the world.
As someone who’s living in Lebanon, the third unhappiest country in the world, and trying to understand how the happiest one functions, is not only about geography and culture, but also about how everything, when connected together in the right way, can be so fruitful. How a system can actually serve people, protect their dignity and well-being, and build peace not only through policies but also through trust and presence and probably take those lessons with me wherever I go. In a place where people feel safe and society is structured with care, I hope to learn not only what makes Finland happy, but also how that happiness is translated into daily life, justice, and relationships.
As someone from an Arab background, I also see value in what we can bring to a society like Finland, while also seeing what we can learn from it. I don’t think integration should mean giving anything up. Instead, I believe the most valuable contributions happen when people are encouraged to be fully themselves and still feel part of the whole.
I’m excited about joining Dustur, and I am very grateful to be part of something meaningful, practical, and human.