Dialogue projects

Lebanese-Syrian Dialogue

Project Objective

This project attempts to tackle the recent increases in ethnic tensions between Syrian and Lebanese people. Upon the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14, 2005 and the subsequent withdrawal of the Syrian troops out of Lebanon a wave of stereotype, resentment, and racial hostility began to spread overtly threatening the livelihood of people in both countries.

Addressing this problem, Nahwa al-Muwatiniya has designed a proactive plan which aims to:

  1. defuse the increasing negative actions and reactions among Syrian and Lebanese youth,
  2. raise awareness and understanding of the cultural differences and similarities between Syrian and Lebanese youth,
  3. encourage empathy, tolerance, and respect for differences to break down barriers of mistrust and fear,
  4. develop greater understanding and solidarity between Syrian and Lebanese youth through establishing lines of communication and emphasizing common issues and concerns,
  5. empower youth to actively participate in the shaping of the societies in which they live.

In this regard, two workshops were held on July 8-10, 2005 and November 18-20, 2005 between young Lebanese and Syrian activists (total of 42) who shared their views and perspectives on the issue and helped define ways of possible cooperation in the future.

Project Strategy

* Democratic and Dialogue Workshop Series

Five workshops will be held during year 2006 between 150 Syrian and Lebanese young participants. The purpose of these workshops is to increase understanding and tolerance between participants to help foster a cooperative relationship in the future.

* Lebanese-Syrian Concert

The plan is to organize a classic music concert to be held in Beirut. The music played will be of Syrian-Lebanese origin and played jointly by Syrian and Lebanese musicians in an attempt to display the commonalities between the two countries and people through a cultural evening.

* Syrian Lebanese Network for Change

The plan is to establish a network between Lebanese and Syrian youth through exchange of experience and expertise pertaining to the role of NGOs in civil society.

Beneficiaries

* Direct

Participants who will attend the workshops will benefit directly.

* Indirect

Both Syrian and Lebanese societies.