Dialogue projects

Na-aM lil Hiwar

Project Objective

The absence of dialogue in the Lebanese arena is an existential dilemma; indeed, it is essential
for multicultural societies – should they elect to remain as such – to discuss and eventually agree on a common set of values and a vision for the state and the future. Unfortunately, “dialogue” is often sold and consumed by politicians as an empty commodity. We thus need to redefine where dialogue begins and where it ends, who dialogues with whom, and for what purpose. Dialogue should not be exclusive to political leaders; as citizens of an allegedly democratic nation, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and improve ourlot.

With this in mind, Nahwa al-Muwatiniya (Na-aM) has launched “Na-aM lil Hiwar,” with the purpose of initiating dialogue at the grassroots, in the streets, between ordinary Lebanese, hoping that such authentic interchange would one day lead to a genuine dialogue among the political class. Na-aM is therefore organizing in Club 43 – Gemayzeh – a series of dialogue sessions in an informal atmosphere to discuss a kaleidoscope of topics on Lebanon, the region, the world, politics, economics, society, and culture. Some of these “people parliament” sessions will end with music or artistic performances for emerging artists.

Project Strategy

* Dialogue Sessions

A two-hour dialogue session takes place every Monday evening starting at 8:00pm at Club 43 – Gemayzeh. The sessions are open to the Lebanese public. During these meetings, issues related to the pre-set monthly topic are discussed.

* Focus Group

By the end of the monthly series of topical meetings, we will establish a focus group composed of all participating members to evaluate the sessions and examine whether the topic requires further exploration.

* Implementation

Lastly, Na-aM, together with the participants, will draft a plan to implement what was decided – whether a project, a bill, or a petition – in the focus group session. Tasks will then be divided before a new project is launched.

So far, we have held sessions on the following topics:

Topics

Guest Speaker

Name of Documentary  presented

Foreign Domestic Workers in Lebanon

Tina Naccache

Cultural Heritage (1)

Joe Salameh

‘Studio Baalbeck’

Cultural Heritage (2)

‘Jarjaara’

Children of Intercultural Marriage

May Zaydan

Forum on Secularism

Tayyar al Mujtama’a al Madani

Child Work

Carole Mansour

‘Invisible Children’

Juveniles in prison

Carole Hajj

Animal Rights

BETA

What is Dialogue?

Gilbert Doumit

Citizenship in Syria

Lubna Haddad

‘I am here’

Children Participation

Samar Haydar

Nationality Campaign

CRTDA

 

Spring Hints

Fadi Toufiq

 

Woman Quota in Parliament

LADE

 

Sexuality & Citizenship

May Zaydan