Lebanon is a cohesive society that works towards common goals and avoids marginalization within and between groups
Objective Number
02
Objective Name
Community
Objective Description
Reach agreement around a core set of values that celebrate diversity and build cohesion whiles making sure no community is marginalized
Vision Description
A Cohesive, Egalitarian, Diverse and Dynamic Society
Scope
A cohesive community is one where:
There is common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities
The diversity of people’s backgrounds are appreciated and positively valued
Those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities
Strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighborhoods
Indicators
Subjective perceptions of closeness to others
Threat Perceptions from other communities
Support for discriminatory policies
V154 in WVS: The only acceptable religion is my religion
V156 in WVS: morality of people belonging to another religion
Problem
Social cohesion in Lebanon lacks an inclusive, coordinated policy-making process that brings in the views of all stakeholders – from those involved with their implementation to the final beneficiaries
Lack of social capital across communities (i.e., networks of relationships, trust and identity between and within different groups of society) hinders social cohesion
Lebanon has a significant non-citizen population that remains structurally excluded politically, socially and economically: "forgotten people"
Mistrust in the integrity of the elections 38% (LADE, 2015)
Various components of the Lebanese society have incompatible projects for Lebanon
Limited mixity in schools, workplaces and neighborhoods
No similar life opportunities among communities
Challenge
Lebanese communities are highly segmented along several lines: sectarian, urban/rural, language, education and wealth
The segmentation leads to frequent clashes between communities
The influx of over a million Syrian refugees has severely strained the social fabric and increased divergence between communities
Lebanon’s legal system is profoundly discriminatory on the basis of communities and gender
Limited data exist on the role of municipalities in promoting or undermining social cohesion through service delivery (Mourad & Piron, 2016)
Existing Policy
Taif 1989 (counter-productive )& 1943 pact
EU fund (2013): support of the Lebanese security sector for stability and national cohesion (€8 million), reinforcing social cohesion (€10 million), and for improving housing and health conditions of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon (€4 million)
Mercy Corps : Causal Labor Initiative* in both Akkar and the Bekaa
* Engage people from different communities in public work
Policy Action
Work on community dialogues, peace education and conflict sensitive reporting, create safe media spaces, develop local peace mechanisms and work with ex-fighters (campaigns)
Foster positive bonding between immigrants and local people (campaigns)
Ensure elections integrity (I.C.)
Municipalities treat all its constituents equally (I.C.)
Unification of school curricula (Service provisions)
Create a secular state that treats all of citizens equally