Lebanon

Political transitions from autocracy to democracy are a dangerous time. Risks of conflict are high as new regimes struggle to build or rebuild vital institutions and manage public expectation for rapid change – both political and economic.

Earlier this month youth leaders from 15 Lebanese political parties (pictured) travelled with International Alert to Switzerland to learn about the Swiss experience of democracy. 

The trip, which included representatives from a broad range of political parties in Lebanon, focused on how the Swiss manage plurality in politics and governance. 

Last month representatives from the youth wings of 18 political parties in Lebanon shared a joint declaration on the rights of Palestinian refugees. The declaration was the result of a series of discussions supported by International Alert to encourage peaceful debate among the political parties in the country.

International Alert is proud to present its new annual report, “Peace Talks”, which looks back at Alert’s work and impact in 2011 – when Alert celebrated its 25th year – using dialogue as a theme.

International Alert is proud to present its new annual report, “Peace Talks”, which looks back at Alert’s work and impact in 2011 – when Alert celebrated its 25th year – using dialogue as a theme.

Annual report 2011

From Alert's 2011 Annual Report

"Individuals have to find the courage to say what they fear to say."

Although Lebanon is known in the Middle East for its relative political openness and for the degree of freedom Lebanese women enjoy, it paradoxically has one of the lowest rates of women’s political engagement in the region. This report examines the extent to which women are currently involved in politics in Lebanon, as well as the opportunities for increasing their involvement, by drawing on Alert’s work with the youth wings of Lebanese political parties and a conference Alert held on the topic of promoting gender equality in political parties.

Report

International Alert’s engagement in Lebanon began in 2009. Alert’s long-term goal in Lebanon is to contribute to a political process that reconciles the desires of its diverse communities for security, freedom and development with the interests of an equitable, democratic and peaceful Lebanese nation. Through our work, Alert seeks to contribute to the management of Lebanon’s multiple conflicts without recourse to, or the threat of, violence.

Location

Young Women in Political Parties:
The Opportunities and Challenges of Women’s Political
Engagement

Worshop description.

library: 

YoungWomenPoliticalPartiesWorkshopDescription.pdf

Young Women in Political Parties:
Promoting Women’s Political Engagement in Lebanon
Beirut, June 5 2010

Biographical Sketches

library: 

YoungWomenBiographicalSketches.pdf

In December International Alert held a two-day dialogue workshop in London that convened the leaders of the youth and student wings of the 17 main Lebanese political parties.