Renew Lebanon Part 2

The right of access to information is enshrined in a number of international instruments, most notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It aims to achieve important goals, mainly securing the right of expression, promoting the correct practice of democracy, contributing to the development of effective and accountable institutions at all levels, all essential keys to unlock Lebanon’s entry to the “Open Government Partnership”. At a time when the confidence of Lebanese citizens in their state is diminishing considering severe social and economic crises, the Ministerial Anti-Corruption Committee approved the national plan to implement the Access to Information Law in July 2020, following the promulgation of the law in 2017, in a process closely followed by UNESCO. In cooperation with the UNESCO office in Beirut and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Lebanese Ministry of Information drafted a media plan to raise awareness about the law and gathered representatives of most media institutions.

On March 16, 2022, the Lebanese Council of Ministers approved a plan to reform and restructure the faltering electricity sector in Lebanon. The new proposal is based on the “Emergency Action Plan for the Electricity Sector in Lebanon” developed by the World Bank and the plan to generate electricity at the lowest cost from EDF, in addition to previous plans. The proposal was prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Water and pledges to provide 17 hours of electricity per day by 2023. Will this be the road to a self-devouring sector? Or is it just a drop in a bucket?

Lebanon’s value lies in its geography, landscape, climate and a liberal democratic system. The latter is the main theme that is constantly discussed, criticized, researched and taught, while the former, Lebanon’s environment, has been, and still is neglected. How can the environment be turned into a focal point for change in the country? Speakers: Nizar Hani, Manager of “Shouf Biosphere reserve” Manal Nader, Director of Institute of Environment (Sea Project) MP Najat Saliba, Member of the Lebanese Parliament, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at AUB MP Ghayath Yazbeck, President of the Parliamentary Committee

On October 18, 2022, Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that the Digital Transformation Strategy for Lebanon 2020-2030 will be a pillar in the upcoming reform plans in coordination with global stakeholders. Given the political and socio-economic instability, chronic problems of siloed and uncoordinated policy efforts, as well as different levels of digital maturity across the administration, several past attempts have not been successful and resulted in observable reform fatigue in the country. Is digital transformation a dream or a possibility in the near future? What should be the roadmap given the detrimental situation in the country?

The National Anti-Corruption Strategy is the first document of its kind in the history of the Lebanese Republic. It expresses an unprecedented political will and an urgent community based desire to insulate the country from the risks of corruption, and support efforts aiming at devising sustainable solutions. Speakers: Julien Courson, Executive Director · Lebanese Transparency Association Studio Paul Morkos, Lawyer, Professor, Founder and President of Justicia H.E. Ghassan Moukheiber, Member of the Lebanese Parliament, Studio Natasha Sarkis, Manager of UNDP’s Anti-Corruption for Trust in Lebanon Project

Description: July 29, 2021 marked the publication of Public Procurement Law 244/2021 in the Official Gazette. After more than two years of drafting, review, consultation, and parliamentary debate, Lebanon now has a unified public procurement law. With this accomplishment, the country has ticked the first box in a list of structural reforms that are necessary to ensure sound financial governance, foster economic recovery, and improve transparency and accountability. The Constitutional Council’s decision (issued on September 16, 2021) to reject a petition against the law further validated this important reform and the rationale behind it.

Lebanon is experiencing a combination of compounding crises that have decimated the economy, undermined the legitimacy of its governing institutions, and significantly affected the wellbeing of its people. The pain is shared by the Lebanese diaspora across the globe, from the Middle East and Europe to the Americas and Australia. This community, which numbers greater than the total population of Lebanon, is affluent, active, and remain connected to their country of origin. This panel will address the role of the diaspora at this critical juncture and examine the ways they engage, coordinate, and aid those most affected by the political and economic crises.