Spotlight: Aie Serve

This spotlight interview is with the Lebanese civil society organization Aie Serve.


DL: What is Aie Serve’s mission?

AS: First, Aie Serve was a community service youth group aiming to spread cultural awareness, love, and tolerance, help and return to the poor and underprivileged, and promote open-mindedness, through action and experience, all for the sake of an improved future for humankind. Aie Serve was a student-based group founded on March 23, 2007 with the goal of spreading love and acceptance via increasing awareness and education. The word “Aie” is a Japanese word pronounced as “I” and means “Love” so the name of group is Love and Serve or I Serve...others. Although recently established, Aie Serve can already take pride in several accomplishments.

Now Aie Serve's mission is:

Aie Serve is a youth non-governmental organization that works on community service and development to promote the values of respect, acceptance, and love to achieve an improved future for humankind.

DL: What are the biggest obstacles facing Lebanese youth today? How can government play a more active role in creating opportunities for Lebanese youth?

AS: One of the main Lebanese youth obstacles are job opportunities where most of the educated youth are not finding a proper job that fulfills their dreams. These Lebanese youth are finding difficulties in their day life by facing economic barriers and emigrating from the country. As to the government side, it should take severe measures toward the Lebanese youth obstacles and try to discover the roots of them. If the issue is just economic, hopefully they will come up with a plan to solve the problem.

DL: Are you optimistic that the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 will take effect for the upcoming municipal elections in 2010 as agreed in principle by the previous parliament? Does Aie Serve have any plans on projects regarding these elections?

AS: Lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 looks is pretty appealing. Yes we support that action but on the other side giving that responsibilities for us as Lebanese youth we should be educated enough to understand what is the meaning of this new responsibility and think wisely before we act. A new responsibility to decide our political representative now for upcoming municipal elections in 2010 and later for our parliament elections should be our new hope for a better tomorrow.

As Aie Serve is non-political non-religious organization, we are not going to take a stance concerning elections nor will we take direct role in the elections or lowering the voting age, but rather by working hand in hand with Lebanese youth to develop their skills via learning circles, camps, workshops, training sessions, and discussion panels we are going to make a difference and be a main partner in civil society movements.

DL: What role do you see technology playing in increasing coordination and outreach with other civil society organizations? Do you use any social media (SMS, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) in organizing your activities?

AS: Technology, which is essential nowadays in our life, is a tool to facilitate and serve our goals and make our dreams true! Yes, technology is our partner in this field the field of civil society, it is a great asset to mobilize and outreach and the amazing effect of the social media which is booming these days as Facebook, SMS, Twitter, YouTube.

Kindly visit our website, www.aieserve.org, join our Facebook Page, and frequently check our profile on www.LebanonSupport.org.

5. How do you sustain the interest of youth while maintaining realistic expectations about the change that can take place in their communities and in Lebanon?

DL: Finding interest of youth and maintaining it is the the most challenging aspect of managing a volunteer-based NGO but it is feasible nonetheless. Youth's interests change over time and are easily affected by the external environment. We able to keep an interest in what we are doing and what we are looking for while keeping in mind our mission and vision through continuous communication with our members based in our weekly meeting, by including everyone in the planning and decision-making and simply through our continuous work and accomplishments, whether on the organizational level or through the projects and campaigns we do.

DL: What projects will Aie Serve undertake in the near future?

AS: Lately we are working on a project called Middle East Expedition as part in partnership with Europe Expedition. This project will take place in August 2010 in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. We are also preparing for a day of food serving for the needy and another day for the elderly during the holy month of Ramadan. Moreover we are continuously working on launching Learning Circles and training programs. Last but not least we will be starting the phase 2 of a recycling campaign in schools in partnership with Holcim.

Safadi Foundation USA thanks Aie Serve for answering our questions and congratulates them for a job well done. For more information on how you can support Aie Serve in its mission for a better Lebanon, please visit there website at www.aieserve.org.

Friday Twitter Roundup

RT: @MXML: RT @meedan Lebanese women continue to press for naturalization rights http://bit.ly/1P7EPE

Are banking and tourism the backbone of Lebanon? Discuss: http://tinyurl.com/lm7r5p

Kilna bil hayy - something's wonderful in the state of Lebanon: http://tinyurl.com/l8adov

MENA Community Service Org Leadership Institute & Association for Forests, Development, & Conservation hold wrkshp http://tinyurl.com/l3bojt

Good morning Lebanon! Read our latest post and watch the video on recovering war-torn economies: http://tinyurl.com/lm7r5p

Recovery of war-torn economies: http://bit.ly/3yjanx inc. video

Learn about Aie Serve, a Lebanese youth-based organization, here: http://bit.ly/bcJtV

In case you missed it: What Lebanese kids think of politics: http://tinyurl.com/nyppw9 Part 2 in our series of profiles.

A great civil society org, too! http://tinyurl.com/mold6l RT: @onoffbeirut: souk el tayyeb in ABC achrafieh on aug26

Lebanese blogger Across the Bay is on Twitter: @AcrossTheBay

Interesting. RT: @lebanonrss: Maybe it all comes down to education ... - Daily Star - Lebanon http://bit.ly/18GRXI

Leb film festival (DS): http://tinyurl.com/km6lkq

RT: @greenprophet: New blog post: Lebanese Farmers Market Makes Food Not War http://bit.ly/4znSix

Random Lebanese NGO of the Day: Beirut Marathon Association: http://www.beirutmarathon.org/

RT: @meedan Jewish synagogue in Virginia opens its doors to Muslim worshipers during Ramadan dueto lack of mosque space http://bit.ly/4i9ncG

2010 Municipal Elections in Lebanon: Electoral Systems Options from IFES: http://tinyurl.com/mxt3ef

Lebanon Votes: LIC report: http://bit.ly/2J9H1t

Barack wishes everyone Ramadan Kareem. http://bit.ly/E930R

To fight litter, join beach cleanups led by NGOs and other groups. You have to be the change you seek in the world.

Random Lebanese NGO of the Day: Forum for Development, Culture, & Dialogue: http://fdcd.org/

Progress: http://bit.ly/1dClO4

Path of Hope offers fun and friendship to disabled Lebanese (DS): http://tinyurl.com/npua92

Proposal 2 allow Leb moms 2 open bank accounts 4 kids. ST under Leb glitz, lack of rights of Leb women forgotten. http://tinyurl.com/oadgqa

Random Lebanese NGO of the Day: Teach for Lebanon: http://www.teachforlebanon.org

Counting the Costs - Recovery in War-torn Economies

Abdulwahab Alkebsi from the Center for International Private Enterprise talks about the potential of the West Bank's human resources if it is to become a post-conflict state. It is important to remember that even though a country may not have the natural resources that have traditionally made states wealthy, in the 21st century, human beings have the potential to create wealth by equipping themselves with the knowledge and technical expertise to move their countries forward, not only economically, but politically and socially as well.

Lebanon knows this, as it is going through the process right now. Not a block in Beirut is passed without a towering crane removing the wreckage of the past and replacing it with the splendor of the future, not a city stands tall whose monumental ruins do not hold the promise of better days ahead, not a vault in a bank is opened without the thought that yes, Lebanon can be a place where people live in peace and people want to visit and people come to adore. People will come. People have come, a record number of them this summer, and with some brainpower and a little elbow grease, even more people will come.

No oil flows from these ancient lands into the hands of the economy; no natural gas, either, but natural beauty is available in abundance. Banking and tourism are two of Lebanon's major industries, two industries that require vast amounts of human resources and an educated populous, something Lebanon does not lack.

Civil society can lead the way by pushing for transparency and accountability in the reconstruction process to ensure that Lebanon fulfills its shining potential.

Kilna Bil Hayy

For too long the squabbles of petty politicians and pundits have been perceived as emblematic of the sectarian divisions within Lebanese society. Does this dialogue, or lack there of, really represent demographic interactions within Lebanon? Search for Common Ground believes actual Lebanese people have far more productive and nuanced relationships with one another, and they hope to capture this through their new LBC Series Kilna Bil Hayy. Kilna Bil Hayy follows the lives of six Lebanese children, all from different ethnic and religious communities, living in the same apartment complex. These children work together to build communal pride and problem solve, offering a more realistic and hopeful model of productive dialogue. Kilna Bil Hayy can be viewed on Saturdays on LBC.

Safadi Foundation USA will be providing brief profiles on the stars of the show, showcasing the actors own feelings in communication and peacebuilding.


Sally

How has your participation on this show changed your perceptions/attitudes about conflict resolution in Lebanon?

I used to have a complex with Shias. The program made me feel we are all people and we need to communicate with one another and talk to others because they are human beings just like us.


Why is it hard for Lebanese youth to understand each other? How does your show help bridge the difference?

Lebanese youth in our society and situation belong to their own political parties. People of different parties like Hizballah and those with Jumblatt will directly fight without looking at logic so this is a problem. The show is a message for these people to tell them that we are of different religions yet are the same and we need to help each other despite religions and parties.

What can Lebanese children teach adults about effective communication and compassionate understanding?

We can tell them that we are all the same despite our religions since we all worship God and that is what matters. If we keep the same way we will reach destruction and war so we should not follow our leaders blindly we must follow ourselves and our minds. This is what we can do. Talk to adults and make them understand.

What do all Lebanese children have in common?

Their love to God.

If you could give a wish list of anything you wanted to Lebanese political leaders, what would it say?

If I could ask politicians everything I want I would ask them to stop all political parties in Lebanon. I will ask leaders to cooperate together; nothing is worth differing about, not money, not power. I will also ask them bring back Lebanon that the world knows, its image in tourism. Bring it back the way it was in the past. It was better that way.


The Safadi Foundation USA would like to thank the Search for Common Ground, and the stars of Kilna Bil Hayy for their participation in these interviews.

Tuesday Lebanese Blog Roundup

Blog Roundup 8.18.09

The Ouwet Front notes a non-fictional prison break.

Qifa Nabki passes along some interesting articles.

IndyACT covers climate change workshop in Beirut.

Who's afraid of Beirut with some nostalgic football(ahem soccer!) stories.

Maya with a new cartoon.

Episode 4 of Flying Kebab on Blogging Beirut.

If you or someone you know is battling a twitter addiction, don't be afraid to ask for help...from Krikor.

Security and other armed forces teaming up via Hummus Nation.

Thursday Lebanese Blog Roundup

Blog Roundup 8.13.09

Land on People on the dangers of waning snow levels.

Blacksmiths of Lebanon pass along a NY Time's review.

If you haven't seen it yet, Who's Afraid of Beirut has the giant water-slide video.

Indyact asks if social media can help save humankind.

Brands and social media via Krikor.

Justimage reviews Marcel and Omaima.

Wednesday Lebanese Blog Roundup

Blog Roundup 8.13.09

Worried Lebanese note a security first approach to relations with Israel.

Remarkz references connections between charities, taxes, and settlers.

Rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, Ouwet Front weighs in.

Land People say 6 million is not enough.

Scowcroft can't pronounce things, Qifa Nabki pokes fun.

Indyact mentions a new award for environmental journalists.

Maya's fingers have been freed.

Lebjournal with some thoughts on elections.

Kilna Bil Hayy

For too long the squabbles of petty politicians and pundits have been perceived as emblematic of the sectarian divisions within Lebanese society. Does this dialogue, or lack there of, really represent demographic interactions within Lebanon? Search for Common Ground believes actual Lebanese people have far more productive and nuanced relationships with one another, and they hope to capture this through their new LBC Series Kilna Bil Hayy. Kilna Bil Hayy follows the lives of six Lebanese children, all from different ethnic and religious communities, living in the same apartment complex. These children work together to build communal pride and problem solve, offering a more realistic and hopeful model of productive dialogue. Kilna Bil Hayy can be viewed on Saturdays on LBC.

Safadi Foundation USA will be providing brief profiles on the stars of the show, showcasing the actors own feelings in communication and peacebuilding.


Nader

How has your participation on this show changed your perceptions/attitudes about conflict resolution in Lebanon?

The first thing is the mixing of the religious communities, the dialogue, and to hear the others. This idea changed me and changed my political attitudes. I found common ideas with others especially the people I didn't agree with on politics. I know now that if the potential leaders fight we don't have to do so.

Why is it hard for Lebanese youth to understand each other? How does your show help bridge the difference?

It's hard because of the parents' and political leader's hatred: the inability of the parents to forget the memory of the war, and not being able to open a new page. The youth follow their parents and their political leaders. They follow them without thinking, parents and political leaders are their idols. The program made us go though different situations, good and bad ones, and showed us how our parents push us and how we change their attitudes. For sure it needs time, but we are trying, and by communicating and follow up we can help. Children are so pure and they can help change their parents attitudes.

What can Lebanese children teach adults about effective communication and compassionate understanding?

There is a saying that says: "hear their secrets from their children." Children don't know how to lie. And the problem in Lebanon is that people don't listen to each other. Everyone talks and tells what he wants without listening to the others. When children ask their parents, they will not answer directly, they will try to run away from answers, but by children's insistence parents will finally answer them, and children will make their parents listen to others.

What do all Lebanese children have in common?

The common thing between Lebanese children is Lebanon, education, and having their own common language as well as the religious mix. Some of them have relatives from different religions, and religions mixing in schools.

If you could give a wish list of anything you wanted to Lebanese political leaders, what would it say?

Despite the fact that I follow a political leader, the things I wish to do is put all political leaders on one airplane and take them away. I wish to see in the news something about technology instead of about them. I wish parents listen and understand their children. I wish the political leaders leave Lebanon and search for another country to destroy. I wish they leave us and the future youth to build Lebanon. I wish the war ends, and Lebanon will not be linked to war anymore. I wish they form a government that works for Lebanon. We live in peace despite the different political leaders. War are to united with one another so let them leave us in peace; we do not want war anymore.


The Safadi Foundation USA would like to thank the Search for Common Ground, and the stars of Kilna Bil Hayy for their participation in these interviews.

Tuesday Lebanese Blog Roundup

Qifa Nabki has some fun at Saad Hariri's expense.

Ouwet Front covers a strange partnership between certain Lebanese and Russian intelligence services.

Lebanese Tag captures the summer friction.

Indyact has more updates on the Kfar Dhebian bridge situation.

Who's Afraid of Beirut ain't afraid of computer hardware.

The Wild Garden offers up a Lebanese driver's manual.

More than just exports, suggests Land and People.

The fodder for killing productivity via Blacksmiths of Lebanon.

Blogging Beirut with some nice pictures of Chekka.

Never Twice the Same City examines shoes and Santa Clause.

Lebjournal shares some thoughts on sectarianism.

Give a hoot, don't pollute

Americans who grew up in the seventies and eighties no doubt remember Woodsy Owl, a mascot with a message. Woodsy was the brainchild of a National Park ranger who came up with the idea to combat litter, first at National Parks, then across the nation.

By the time Woodsy was born, however, America's fight against litter and pollution was already in full force. Keep America Beautiful was established in 1953 and is one of the most successful non-profit organizations in history. Not only did they manage to convince governments to impose stiff fines for littering, but they instilled a nationwide consciousness - a pride even - about littering through public awareness campaigns and educational programs. If you were born in the second half of the 20th century, anti-littering programs were a part of your primary school education. As a result, if you go to America, you will notice clean streets, mainstream recycling, and a general awareness about the problems that result from littering. Sure, there is the occasional bad seed that sprouts an unsightly and unhealthy piece of litter - you're never going to get all of the people to cooperate all of the time - but for the most part, Americans are conscious about what they do with their garbage, especially in comparison to other parts of the world.

Like Lebanon.

Lebanon from a distance (if you can see it through the haze) is a beautiful place, and Lebanese are right to say so. But you would think they hated it. This is a country with beautiful beaches where sunbathers and swimmers have to navigate piles of garbage to find a place to lay their towels. This is a place that gets complaints from other countries when they have to combat all of the garbage that floats to their shores. Lebanon is a place that can inspire poets and artists to create things of beauty - until they see the garbage and want to cry.

I know I did. I stood at the Pigeon Rocks, thinking about all of the people throughout history who had sailed the Mediterranean, all of the people of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, all of those who had seen this same rock formation, had see this same horizon. And then I looked down.

A boat would have a hard time getting through those waters below. Plastic bottles, bags, cans, coffee cups, styrofoam...hoards of it, all running together like a buffalo stampede, ready to destroy anything in its path. Fish and birds and other wildlife eat that stuff until they die of the toxins or their stomachs explode (literally). Others are imprisoned by it, caught up in plastic bags or god knows what else, unable to free themselves, sometimes starving to death, sometimes succumbing to asphyxiation.

How can one claim to love his land called Lebanon and disrespect it by throwing his garbage on the ground?

What Lebanon needs is a Woodsy Owl or a Keep Lebanon Beautiful, and civil society must take the lead in creating public awareness about pollution and starting a recycling program. There are some great civil society groups in Lebanon who are working towards a better environment in Lebanon, groups like IndyAct, Amwaj, Beeatoona, Mawassem Khair, and so many others. They have ordered beach cleanups, organized awareness campaigns, worked towards fighting global warming, and other issues. Check out their websites and give them a hand.

Give a hoot! Don't pollute!

Friday Roundup

Italy donates over $10 million to fund 12 new projects.

RT @robertkatz: On Paul Farmer for USAID - @nytimeskristofsays if he can't get through vetting, time to vet the vetters.
DS article on the Lebanon Mountain Trail. Check out LMTA.

Change Lebanon can believe in? Feel free to comment.

CRTDA is also good resource for Arab women's leadership issues.

The Federal Budget and Appropriations for FY 2010: Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights in the Middle East.
RT: @mobileactive: few projects focused on transparency and accountability using mobile tech. Surprising. If you know of any, let us know.

RT: @aljamiat: Awesome coverage @mideastyouth RT @Jared_Cohen: Youth, Middle East, & Technology @NicoleLapinCNN
Strategies and instruments used to tackle discrimination against women in the Arab world report.
Ziad Baroud will visit the Baldati Centre in Mayfouq on Aug 7 during the youth summer camp.

This month's Gender and Development Brief by CRTDA.
Spotlight on Lebanese NGO BASSMA.Today's Lebanese

Civil Society Organization of the Day: Collective for Research and Training for Development-Action
RT: @SamerKaram: RT @sygma: A Rally to save Lebanon's Natural Bridge of Kfardebiene, Faqra.
RT: @Monajem: Interested in using social media in your NGO/school.. projects? Read this opportunity.
2nd Beirut Salsa Festival 21-23 August.
Read about Lebanese NGO BASSMA at Developing Lebanon:
Lebanon Knowledge Development Gateway launched.

Please become a Facebook fan of Developing Lebanon!
Lebanese NGO of the day: A Step Away: expanding role of art in promoting the awareness of rights, democracy, justice.
RT: @Plus961: Maya Zankoul's Amalgam Book Signing.

RT: @hibz: RT@ribalo Beirut’s synagogue kicks off.

Lebanon Youth Economic Forum to participate in Nam Lil Hiwar session Aug 3. Facebook info.

Daily Star: Lebanese civil society must set a common agenda to shape policy. SafadiUSA aims to help with that!

EU accepting grant proposals for projects aimed at strengthening the role of civil society in human rights and democratic reform in Lebanon.

Blog Roundup 8.7.09


Lebanese tag carries some news about Israeli tank upgrades.


I knew video games were corrupting the souls of Americans, The Ouwet Front suggests the Lebanese as well.


+961 wants you to save Kfardebian natural bridge. The Lebanese Inner Circle agree.


Debt and health, from Land and People.


Maya's Amalgam on MTV.


A vicious crime in Europe, getting some much needed attention from Lebanese nights.

Thursday Lebanese Blog Roundup

Blog Updates 8.6.09

From Beirut to the Beltway breaks down cabinet developments.

Across the Bay links to a synopsis of US sanctions on Syria.

Want to know where YOU stand? Blacksmiths offer an illuminating quiz.

People and food in Detroit considered by Land and People.

Qifa Nabki asks about the next war.

Real world anatomy from some Worried Lebanese.

The Ouwet Front, much like the rest of us, enjoy puns.

If you know French, and are into cool ads, Never Twice the Same City has you covered.

Lebanese Blog Roundup is a roundup of Lebanese blogs for today - the views expressed in these blogs does not necessarily reflect the views of Safadi Foundation USA. If you would like to add your Lebanese-related blog to our blogroll, please contact us.

Wednesday Lebanese Blog Roundup

The Ouwet Front doesn't pull any punches appraising the political landscape.

Land and People offers more than you could ever hope to know about roasted green wheat.

The Lebanese Inner Circle cover the "fishy" purchase of Jordanian startup Maktoob by Yahoo.

Corporate logo evaluations via Krikor.

A poem of sorts from For a Better Lebanon.

Lebjournal lends some insight into the fight for civil marriage.

Is From Beirut to the Beltway back?

Lebanese Blog Roundup is a roundup of Lebanese blogs for today - the views expressed in these blogs does not necessarily reflect the views of Safadi Foundation USA. If you would like to add your Lebanese-related blog to our blogroll, please contact us.

Change Lebanon can believe in?

The locale had all the feeling of a youth hostel or a Bohemian coffee shop - yellow walls, pastels, a Buddha mask on the wall, red couches, mismatched chairs, low lighting to give the imperfections perfect character. And youth - the buzz, the desperate energy of a generation longing for change.

As an American, I can't say the gathering was unlike those during the early Obama campaign, when young Americans gathered in places not unlike Club 43 in Gemeyzeh with a tenacious grip on hope and an insatiable thirst for change.

Skin was shiny, the point just before sweat, the sticky air of Beirut invading the crowded room, and impromptu fans of paper pushed the only air around. Nobody minded the heat, for this was a moment. This was freedom. This was an opportunity for voices to be heard by a representative of their government. A question answered, a dozen more hands, an endless supply of questions asked not for answers, but just to be heard, hands reaching to the fruits of humanity, a hunger for a real country, a real democracy, a real freedom.

Ziad Baroud is not Barack Obama. But what he brings to the youth of this country is the same, a ripple in the sea of failed policies of the establishment. As Minister of Interior in charge of elections and security, he has already brought about real reform - reform to electoral laws, reform to the way the security forces function, and reform to the attitudes of a new generation. Perhaps the last is the most important.

Minister Baroud was at Club 43 to talk about electoral reform as part of the Naam Lil Hiwar weekly dialogue series that takes place in various venues every Monday in Beirut. Naam lil hiwar means "Yes to dialogue" in Arabic. The organization believes:

We, as citizens have a role and responsibility, to actively participate in setting and defining the citizenship attitudes and democratic behavior, and in the creation of the governance system we want for our country...

Na-am Lil Hiwar has successfully created an open space for dialogue by holding Hiwar sessions in Beirut for over two years and tackling a wide spectrum of political, social, and cultural issues.

Open spaces for dialogue in different regions of Lebanon - where youth can discuss a wide spectrum of political, social, and cultural issues - are needed as a communication channel.

Naam Lil Hiwar communicates the times and places of its dialogue sessions through its group page on Facebook. Thus far, the group has 403 members and has held 74 past events.

The energy in the room last week as the Minister spoke was electrifying. There is nothing more inspiring than watching a new generation push to better their country, nothing more fundamental to democracy than public participation at the grassroots level, nothing more promising for the future than seeing the political will for change.

Spotlight Organization: BASSMA

This spotlight interview is with the Lebanese civil society organization BASSMA (Association Caritative Libanaise).

DL: Please describe BASSMA’s mission? Is BASSMA working throughout the country or are your activities limited to a certain region? What makes BASSMA’s activities different than other local charitable organizations? How is BASSMA ensuring the sustainable support of its programs and activities?

B: BASSMA works with the most deprived families in Lebanon, those for whom life is a daily struggle, and brings them to sustainable financial independence through a three-to-five year rehabilitation program tailored to the specific needs of each family.

We currently work with families living all over Beirut, regardless of political or religious affiliation. Our offices are located in Beirut, where most of our volunteers are located. Nevertheless, BASSMA works with deprived social groups in many regions of Lebanon through its awareness program on poverty KIDSWAP. This program organizes interactive encounters of Beirut private school students with public schools students, orphanages, and hospitals as far away as Tripoli, for the implementation of participatory social projects.

BASSMA’s family rehabilitation program is unique in the way that our volunteers develop a personalized relationship with the families for a period of no less than three years. In this way, the families benefit not only from the financial and material support they need, but also human and psychological follow-up they crave for.

BASSMA’s financial sustainability is ensured by (a) a nurturing relationship with private and corporate donors, (b) project-based funding from international donors, and (c) an Atelier where the disadvantaged are employed to create handmade objects for sale.

DL: What are the major factors contributing to poverty in Lebanon? What are the biggest obstacles to overcoming these challenges? How can the new Lebanese government begin to address these issues? What is the role of decentralization in improving the livelihoods of citizens in rural areas?

B: One of the major factors of poverty is the gap that lies in the labor market between job demand and job offer, leading to high unemployment rates and low security. On one hand, this is due to endemic economic problems and political insecurities that prevent the creation of quality jobs. But on the other hand, the skills that are acquired by job seekers do not match those that are required in the job market. The biggest obstacle for overcoming this issue is the lack of adequate and affordable education of high quality, including further access to vocational training programs.

One way of addressing this issue is by offering more governmental scholarships for motivated students from all backgrounds, ensuring that more people are adequately educated to fill the employment void.

If managed with transparency and accountability, administrative decentralization could help local municipalities and authorities adapt development projects to specific issues in each region. Local people could have more say and control over the resources that are allocated to them, and hold their local leaders more accountable for their actions.

DL: Is micro-finance a viable solution to helping poor families get out of poverty in Lebanon? If so, how can micro-financing programs expand, especially among women?

B: Micro-finance programs have proven their worth in the realm of poverty alleviation in rural areas. Women are an important target for entrepreneurial enterprises, because their professional success has proven to positively affect their children and family. For micro-financing projects to thrive, especially in rural areas, information needs to be spread about the functioning of microfinance, and participating women need to be trained on the fundamentals of running a business. By making women interested in securing their own futures and creating opportunity for their children, and knowledgeable about the basics of small business management, it is more likely that well-designed, sustainable projects could be formed. The program should also be adapted to the local culture of the targeted women. It is probable that a program designed à la Grameen Bank would work well in Lebanon were social capital is of utmost importance. Last but not least, the program needs to be ruled by strict and good accounting principles to insure the sustainability of the microfinance program itself.

DL: How can Lebanese living abroad contribute to Lebanon’s development?

B: Lebanese abroad can be involved in development organizations by setting up contributions by electronic money transfer. Additionally, development organizations could make contact with networks of Lebanese living in close communities abroad to spread information about their causes and increase fundraising. Through these PR projects abroad, Lebanese in the Diaspora could become engaged to use personal and business networks to directly support Lebanon. Additionally, those living in highly developed countries could take inspiration and import high standards to Lebanon for the overall development of the country.


Safadi Foundation USA thanks BASSMA for taking the time to answer our questions. Please visit BASSMA's website to learn more about the organization and discover ways you can help Lebanon's human development.