Tripoli’s Revolution: Toward a City of Peace, Culture, and Development

How did Tripoli become the “Bride of the Lebanese Revolution”? What is the way forward for the capital of North Lebanon to overcome its predicaments, get past decades of turmoil, and advance social justice, human rights, and interreligious coexistence?

The answers to these and other questions will be worked out during the #LebanonForum on “Tripoli’s Revolution: Toward a City of Peace, Culture, and Development”, organized via Zoom by the Religion & Security Council (RSC) on 9 April 2021, at 16:00-18:00 EET / 15:00- 17:00 CET.

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The event will bring together Lebanese experts, scholars, and practitioners, who will examine the various challenges of Tripoli’s current scenario, and suggest the best policies and practices to address them. Following the introduction by Dr. Elie Abouaoun, RSC Senior Fellow and Director of MENA Programs at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Dr. Joumana Debs Nahas, Director of the Middle East Institute for Research and Strategic Studies, the proceedings will feature Dr. Marie Kortam, Associate Researcher at the French Institute for the Near-East, who will discuss the root causes of the popular disenfranchisement and protests, and the growing role of the civil society and the public space in leading Tripoli’s process of change.

Sh. Dr. Saleh Hamed, Chair of “Fikr & Hayat” Association, will focus on the ongoing dynamics of radicalization in Tripoli and North Lebanon, providing insights on how to tackle extremism in favor of moderate stances and actors.

Dr. Ziad Fahed, President of Dialogue of Life and Reconciliation and Coordinator of the Sustainable Network of Religious Leaders in the North of Lebanon, will address the role of religious leaders and faith organizations in promoting interreligious dialogue and enhancing cooperation between different denominations in Tripoli for the common good and the future of the city.

Saraa Dannawi, Program Officer at Mousawat Association, will look into the human rights situation, including the results achieved so far and the obstacles that still need to be overcome as regards youth and women empowerment.

From an economic perspective, RSC Fellow Amin Brair will assess the impact of Lebanon’s major crisis on Tripoli’s longstanding social predicament, highlighting the challenges to be met in order to address poverty and unemployment, and relaunch Tripoli and North Lebanon as vital and attractive areas for economic development.

After the panelists’ remarks, the debate session will offer a platform to further elaborate on these topics through the interaction with the audience, which will consist of representatives from local and international institutions, NGOs, media, and other stakeholders.

The proceedings, moderated by RSC Fellow Chirine Nassar, will be opened by RSC Chairman Emiliano Stornelli, who will touch upon RSC engagement in Lebanon, and Tripoli in particular.

This #LebanonForum springs from RSC partnerships with Dialogue for Life and Reconciliation, Sustainable Network of Religious Leaders in the North of Lebanon, Middle East Institute for Research and Strategic Studies, St. Francis Convent in El Mina-Tripoli, Mousawat Association.

PROGRAM
“Tripoli’s Revolution: Toward a City of Peace, Culture, and Development”
Zoom  ‒  9 April 2021, 16:00-18:00 EET / 15:00- 17:00 CET
REGISTER

Welcome Remarks
Emiliano STORNELLI
RSC Chairman

Introduction
Dr. Elie ABOUAOUN
RSC Senior Fellow
Director of MENA Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Dr. Joumana DEBS NAHAS
Director, Middle East Institute for Research and Strategic Studies

Panelists
Dr. Marie KORTAM
Associate Researcher, French Institute for the Near-East

Sh. Dr. Saleh HAMED
Chair, “Fikr & Hayat” Association

Dr. Ziad FAHED
President, Dialogue of Life and Reconciliation
Coordinator, Sustainable Network of Religious Leaders in the North of Lebanon

Saraa DANNAWI
Program Officer, Mousawat Association

Amin BRAIR
RSC Fellow

Moderation
Chirine NASSAR
RSC Fellow