“Peace Building in ” project’s newsletter ISSUE NO15 - QUARTER 1 - 2017

WITH THE SUPPORT OF: PEACE BUILDING THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITIES Newsletter Content

Implementation of Mechanisms for Social Stability (MSS)

The “Peace Building in Lebanon” project implemented the different types of conflicts between the different elements PEACE BUILDING CONFLICT MAPPING PEACE BUILDING PEACE BUILDING designed Mechanisms for Social Stability (MSS) in Akkar, of the local communities. The Mediation and Development THROUGH LOCAL AND ANALYSIS THROUGH EDUCATION THROUGH MEDIA Menieh-Donnieh, Bekaa, South and Nabatieh. The Sahel Committee of Hawsh Barada organized on February 12, COMMUNITIES Akkar committee screened its documentary movie about the 2017 a traditional villager’s breakfast aiming at enhancing area in new villages. The Minieh-Donnieh committee carried the social interaction among various local groups living in out the closing event of its English and Computer Courses its village. Implementation Mapping and Students and Akkar’s Journalists on January 19, 2017. The guests at the event included the 03 08 09 11 of Mechanisms Analyzing Conflict Teachers Stressing Talk Of Challenges mayor and local actors, and it was an opportunity for the The Cultural Committee of village, in Central for Social Stability on the Importance Amidst Social Media committee to announce its establishment. Bekaa, organized a graduation ceremony for 20 young (MSS) of the Education Craze Lebanese and Syrian students who had attended intensive Sessions The Deir Ammar committee held the inauguration of its music courses for four months. The music sessions aimed 04 Empowering Social 12 “I am only afraid of Peace Garden on January 16, 2017. A public event to at reducing the social distance between Lebanese and Stability at the Roots the other because announce the establishment of the committee to the local Syrian children and youth of both genders, and nurturing we never meet” community was organized in the presence of the Qaimaqam the young generation’s musical, artistic talents and 05 Committees in and the mayor and to highlight the important role of the creativity, which in turn would foster a culture of peace and North Lebanon and committee. non-violence within their local community. 13 “Peace Building in Bekaa Renewing Lebanon” News Their Commitment The Asoun youth group organized on February 17, 2017, Talia’s committee is currently conducting music courses Supplement Visits to Social Stability a public event to mark the end of the cleaning and tree to enhance the positive social interaction between the Saida plantation campaign organized the week before. Lebanese and Syrian children. 06 Developing the Potential of Minieh’s 14 Conference on Training sessions for the Unions of Wadi Khaled and On March 4 and 5, 2017 a two-day follow-up retreat took Youth Media Regulations: Akroum Municipalities were launched in March 2017. Six place for the Social Stability Committee from Makseh, Qab “Less Complaining, training days focused on the structure of the unions, and Elias, Ali Al Nahri, , , Talia, Hawsh Barada More Solutions” 07 Wadi Khaled and their role in development and project design. and Kfar Zabad. 38 persons representing the 8 committees Akroum Unions actively participated in the retreat. The retreat aimed at of Municipalities Over 40 members of North and Akkar Mechanisms for enhancing the team-building capacities of the committees’ Equipped with the Social Stability members took part in a closing training members and at helping them draft their mission and Needed Strategies event on February 25 and 26 in Chekka. The training was vision, and work on empowering their internal structures and Regulations an opportunity to review some of the skills and concepts by distributing roles and responsibilities among each they had learned during the previous year’s trainings and committee to adjust their plans for the future. The training of staff of Social Development Centers (SDCs), In the Bekaa, the established committees organized several affiliated to the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), continued activities to introduce themselves to their communities. The in the last three months in North, South, Bekaa, Mount implemented activities aimed at enabling the committees Lebanon and . Their capacities in conflict analysis, to play a major role in preventing or reducing tensions and negotiation and mediation were strengthened and they gained the requisite skills to take part in the new phase of the MSS.

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Empowering Social Stability at the Roots Committees in North Lebanon and Bekaa Renewing Their Commitment to Social Stability Throughout the training sessions, participants were always engaged and highly motivated in practicing and developing different techniques and strategies to ensure “Sometimes conflict is asleep but events like the coming positive outcomes at the local level. parliamentary elections might initiate it. This is when your role as a committee is key!” said Nabil Hassan, UNDP “It is extremely important being gathered here with fellow consultant during a training retreat for the Mechanisms for SDC directors from the South. Our common training Social Stability (MSS) committees in North Lebanon, end sessions are strengthening our collaboration across the of February 2017. villages and the coordination between us” said Ghassan Abou JahJah, Tyr SDC manager, during a training session As part of the Mechanisms for Social Stability (MSS) funded at the Municipality of Saida. by UKDFID, the UNDP Lebanese Host Communities Support Project organized through the “Peace Building in Lebanon” During the past months, (November 2016 - March 2017) project, during February and March 2017 a two day follow the capacity building sessions were providing the par- up retreat gathering seven villages from North Lebanon and Akkar committees attended on February 24-26, 2017 the Over the course of 5 months, the UNDP Lebanese Host ticipants with the needed tools to adopt conflict sensitive eight villages from the Bekaa to share and learn from their training retreat, in Chekka, North Lebanon for three days. Communities Support (LHSP) project has implemented approaches within the framework of their day-to-day local experiences in defying conflict and to fill in the gaps through the “Peace Building in Lebanon” project in social work in the Lebanese host communities. identified during the implementation of their social activities. Amira Jalkh, Syrian member of Syr Donnieh committee partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), a said during the retreat “Wherever I live, I call home. I am training program to build the capacities of the Social Rouba Sourani, Manager of the SDC in Qobbeh, Tripoli, Most of the committees implemented activities in the past motivated to work for the good of Syr, as if I lived my entire Development Centers’ managers and area coordinators in said during the training of MoSA staff of the North “One year, and the retreat was an opportunity for them to share life here.” Amira, who was highly motivated and involved implementing the Mechanisms for Social Stability (MSS). day after this training, when we will become fully equipped together the successes, strengths, weaknesses and chal- in the training, sharing with the attendees the plans of the The UNDP has designed the Mechanisms for Social and skilled in conflict resolution, we aim at resolving or lenges they faced while organizing their events. committee of Syr so openly, said that being part of the MSS Stability (MSS) with the financial support of UKDFID, to contributing to reducing the historical tensions in our process has empowered her as a woman in her society. help local and municipal leaders in communities hosting area, like Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.” Both retreats had the same objectives: to follow-up on the displaced Syrians, in conflict management. status of the Mechanisms for Social Stability (MSS) that They learned from each other the small details that make The UNDP will proceed with the training throughout 2017 started in mid-2016 and to ensure that the committees are up successful social activities and the big steps needed to To empower and build the capacities of MoSa staff, the to cover all remaining subjects - securing the durability of playing an effective role within their communities. In addition fund and manage their projects. 60 members from UNDP is technically supporting the Ministry staff in the mechanisms and boosting their impact on social to training them on topics related to Funding, Management committees for social stability in Bekaa and North Lebanon playing the leading role in the facilitation, the development stability among Lebanese and Syrians. of Funds, Conflict Identification, Analysis and Resolution left the retreats with new channels of collaborations among and the implementation of the Mechanisms for Social with the technical support of Akkar Network for Development each other, linkages and shared experiences in dealing Stability (MSS) given the closeness of the SDCs to the in North Lebanon, and Nabad for Development in Bekaa. with conflicts, and new ideas for future projects to implement Lebanese communities. in their villages. “Our common training sessions are 37 members from the social stability committees of Baalbak, 116 area coordinators and SDC directors from 55 centers Talia, Makseh, Qab Elias, Riyaq, Kfarzabad, Hawsh Barada “Today we are putting our goal as a committee in perspective all over Lebanon’s governorates, have benefitted from the strengthening our collaboration and Ali Nahri (Central and North Bekaa) were gathered on and repositioning our work to meet this goal”, said Ali Chahla coaching and training sessions which focused on Conflict across the villages and the March 4-5, 2017 in Riyaq to design their internal strategy, from Kfarzabad’s committee during the retreat. Mapping and Analysis and Mapping of Local Actors. To vision, mission and their future workplan to reach the desired This workshop served to build on past experiences towards equip the participants with the adequate tools and skills coordination between us” goals. sustaining the committees’ mission in the future. It was MoSA staff also received coaching in the techniques of also an opportunity to highlight on the leading role of the Negotiation and Mediation with the technical support of On the northern side of Lebanon, around 30 participants, committees in peace building, reducing tensions and UNDP Consultant Nabil Hassan. members of Syr, Asoun, Deir Ammar, El Minieh and Sahl reaching safe and common spaces among Lebanese and Syrians. 04 05 PEACE BUILDING THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITIES PEACE BUILDING THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Developing the Potential of Minieh’s Youth Wadi Khaled and Akroum Unions of Municipalities Equipped with the Needed Strategies and Regulations offers English language and computer training courses to the locals. willingness to be equipped with the needed skills and The center also serves as a new meeting point for Minieh’s methods to work with local and international NGOs and Lebanese and Syrian youth, where they gather to share donors. their experiences, learn together and from each other, and propose new ideas and projects to develop the city. “We don’t have a solid background in municipal laws and fundraising techniques. We can say that we are now The committee believes that by providing youth with equipped with the needed information and knowledge to competitive skills and offering them a communal cultural manage the municipalities” said Mohammad Ahmad Salem, and learning space, Lebanese and Syrians, together, will mayor of Bani Sakher, from Wadi Khaled, North Lebanon. advance the social stability and development of Minieh. Akram Khalifeh, Mayor of Mounseh in Akroum, North Lebanon, also benefitted from these trainings, who described For almost a year and a half, the UNDP “Peace Building “We are planning on filling the educational and technical them as “exceptional” and “important”. in Lebanon” project has been supporting local actors across gaps of the Lebanese and Syrians residing in Minieh in Lebanon as part of the Mechanisms for Social Stability order to help improve their economic situation and reduce What are the roles and responsibilities of local leaders? This is not the first time that the UNDP “Peace Building in (MSS), and in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs tensions,” said Mohamad Akl, committee coordinator. What is the role and mandate of municipalities and Unions Lebanon” project is supporting the Unions of Wadi Khaled (MoSA). of municipalities? What are the techniques of proposal and Akroum. A few months after the opening of the center, the committee writing and fundraising? What is the municipal law? The MSS aim at supporting and strengthening local celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of 30 students Between 2012 and 2015, UNDP assisted Wadi Khaled mechanisms for resolving disputes by dealing with conflicts during a public ceremony attended by the Mayor of Minieh, All of these questions and much more were answered municipalities through building their skills in crisis caused by internal Lebanese issues and Lebanese-Syrian municipal members, members of the municipal union of during a series of 6 days trainings given by the UNDP management and conflict resolution which lead to their ones. Minieh, local NGOs, MoSA representatives, and a large “Peace Building in Lebanon” project funded by UKDFID, agreement on establishing the Union of Wadi Khaled number of local young people. to members of both Akroum and Wadi Khaled Unions of Municipalities considered as the main tool for crisis The aim is also to enhance local capacities for dialogue municipalities. management and social stability, as well as the development and create spaces of encounter, thus reducing tensions The committee is planning its second round of courses of “The Wadi Khaled Development Declaration”. In among the Lebanese, and between Lebanese and Syrians. and hopes to develop the center into a go-to hub for Minieh’s parallel, UNDP supported Akroum municipalities in In Minieh in particular, after conducting a conflict and youth. “We don’t have a solid background developing a mechanism for crisis management and social tension analysis, local actors sensed a need for new projects stability which also lead to the establishment of the Union in their city. So, they decided to form a proposal-writing in municipal laws and fundraising of Akroum Municipalities. committee to create better job opportunities for Minieh’s youth. In addition, the committee aims at reducing strains “We are planning on filling the techniques. We can say that we and improving the situation of Lebanese and Syrian educational and technical gaps of are now equipped with the needed residents. the Lebanese and Syrians residing information and knowledge to For this reason, the proposal-writing committee opened in Minieh in order to help improve manage the municipalities” the “Sada Computer and Language Learning Center” in mid-November 2016, with the support of the UNDP “Peace their economic situation and Building in Lebanon” project and the generous funds of The training took place between March 3rd and March 30th, UKDFID. The center is situated in the heart of Minieh, and reduce tensions” 2017, and gathered around 20 Heads of Unions of municipalities, mayors, members of unions’ boards, mem- bers of municipal boards. They all showed eagerness and

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Mapping and Analyzing Conflict After its implementation in Bekaa and Mount Lebanon, the psychological, etc.) to students, to identify violence, and to Violence Free Schools initiative was launched in 14 schools define their role in breaking the cycle of violence. in Tripoli and neighboring areas in January. The initiative The conflict-mapping and analysis is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education The initiative funded by KfW will soon begin work with component of the UNDP “Peace Building and Higher Education and with the technical support of intermediate-level teachers through discussions on in Lebanon” project reached several the Center for Active Citizenship and For Development. The incorporating non-violence approaches in the schools and milestones in the first three months of 2017, sensitization of students through awareness sessions have sheltering school from any external conflicts. The sensitization providing new analytical products to been completed. Various activities were used to introduce of teachers will bring together conflict-management, national and international partners the different types of violence (physical, verbal, structural, education and psychology experts to reflect on non-violence intervening in Lebanon to support their concepts and introducing them in schools in Tripoli. work. The Lebanon Support latest conflict analysis bulletin analyzes incidents that occurred in 2016. In total, there were 4,605 incidents mapped in 2016, compared with 3,502 in 2015. This increase in incidents Students and Teachers Stressing on the Importance can be attributed to both greater consistency in Lebanon Support’s research center of the Education Sessions mapping of incidents, and greater reporting by law enforcement officials on their Students from grade 6, 7, 8, and 9, of the selected public activities and the general security situation Tripoli schools are noticed to have become more intrigued “The culture of violence is dominant in our in the country. In particular, security to participate in discussions related to children and education community. It is very important to expose these measures and raids in the aftermath of the rights and more involved in change-initiating activities. children to different ways of managing and bombings in Al in July 2016 contributed transforming conflict” - Teacher to raising the total number of incidents in summer 2016. “It’s the first time anyone listen to our problems To facilitate the reading and analysis of such and ask about our opinions” - Student a large number of incidents (over 10,000 incidents have been mapped since the launch of the project), Lebanon Support “It was very useful for me to sit with my students also released the first version of its as they discussed cases of violence. We do not get Conflictivity Index, which was developed the chance to discuss life issues together to be able after extensive consultation with information to better understand them and better guide them” managers, conflict analysts, academics and - Teacher practitioners. The index attributes a weight “According to the schools’ conditions, students still to each incident to provide an overall score face many challenges that stand in the way of their for each district. development, this is why sessions like these are extremely important” - Teacher Finally, the project is also conducting more in-depth qualitative analysis in areas of particular concern. The next two reports will “Through the activities we have realized that tackle Central Bekaa, focusing on the we will always find something in common with Burden of Scarce Opportunity, and Iqlim El another person, no matter how different we are” Kharroub in the Chouf district. Copyrights Lebanon Support, Conflict Analysis Project on the civil Society - Student Knowledge Centre: cskc.daleel-madani.org/cma 08 09 PEACE BUILDING THROUGH EDUCATION PEACE BUILDING THROUGH MEDIA

Akkar’s Journalists Talk Of Challenges Ministry of Education & Higher Education Amidst Social Media Craze

Journalists gathered to discuss how frustrated they were by the negative impact of social media on traditional media and the profession of journalism in Lebanon in general. The debate focused in particular on the challenges of reporting credible news during conflict and movement limitations. Michel Hallak, a local reporter for the Annahar newspaper, said, “WhatsApp will soon have the ability to broadcast a message to 20,000 people at once. This means that now anyone has the possibility to act as a media outlet. This is something to consider when talking about credible news. How should journalists deal with news being spread this fast?”

25 local reporters and journalists from North Lebanon and Akkar eagerly participated in “Towards a Responsible Media Working on Strengthening Civil Peace in Lebanon”, a meeting organized by Maharat Foundation in partnership with the UNDP “Peace Building in Lebanon” project, on January 19th, 2016, at the Orthodox National School in Halba, Akkar. This activity was funded by UKDFID.

The meeting aimed at introducing the “Journalists’ Pact for Strengthening Civil Peace in Lebanon”, discussing its clauses, and debating the main challenges facing local reporters.

The pact was signed in 2013 by 34 media institutions and was drawn up based on the media outlets’ input. It reaffirms the Lebanese media’s leading role in rejecting discrimination This is the third meeting after the two organized in Tripoli and promoting civil peace. In a total of 16 articles, it covers in July 2016 and in Saida in December 2016. Several media ethics (e.g. rejection of racial discrimination, respect informal meetings will also be taking place in the upcoming for people’s dignity), the duties of journalists and media months in different areas of Lebanon, introducing the Pact institutions (e.g. respecting the rule of law, social to media personnel and local reporters, and advocating for responsibility), and media professionalism (e.g. treating conflict-sensitive reporting. information accurately).

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“I am only afraid of the Other because we never meet” “Peace Building in Lebanon” News Supplement Visits Saida details from his personal experience, clarifying how difficult it had become to get out of his comfort zone and face the to youth by seeking to lift them out of the void and their ‘outside’ world. disaffection. The Palestinian journalist covered some pro- blems facing Palestinian youth in the camps and talked Around 60 people from around Lebanon attended the event about stereotypes imposed by the national media. and contributed to making the conversation richer and more diverse. Coming from different backgrounds, Participants of the session also exchanged different views Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian youth, and experts, regarding several civil peace issues mentioned in the writers, artists, academics, students and researchers supplement, such as delinquency, problems relating to mingled together on an occasion that most dubbed historical narratives and education, and the repercussions “unusual.” of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon. Suggestions in this session centered on the rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, “It was a challenge to describe in a one-thousand-word The topics were both intriguing and controversial. While the need to give Palestinian youth a space to express article the situation of Palestinian youth in the camps,” said some of the participants agreed on a topic or point of view, themselves in the supplement, and the concepts of Samaa Abou Sharar, an independent journalist, president other participants’ views diverged. However, the free flow international and transitional justice. of Majed Abou Sharar Media Foundation, and a contributor and openness drove the conversation, while steering away Ruba Rahme, a young Palestinian woman displaced from to the 14th issue of the “Peace Building in Lebanon” News from misconceptions and hate speech. the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, has left her mark on This was the first time that a discussion session around the Supplement. her peers in the Ain al-Hilweh camp. Ruba, smiling and supplement took place outside Beirut. Many participants— The participants discussed local peace building initiatives, cheerful, shared her story in front of media representatives, of the previous sessions held in Beirut over the past three The discussion session, organized by the UNDP “Peace the situation of displaced Syrians, respecting the Other, the journalists, youth from Palestinian camps, and NGO staff years—had suggested to move discussions outside Beirut Building in Lebanon” project with the funds of KfW, took role of the media, challenges in education, conflict resolution from Saida. They all participated in a discussion session and gather more diverse feedback on the supplement. place on the afternoon of January 24th, 2016 at Beirut and post-war reconciliations, among other topics. organized by the UNDP “Peace Building in Lebanon” Digital District. The talk was an opportunity for the sup- project in Saida’s municipal hall on January 31st, 2017. “Saida is different from any other Lebanese city. Lebanese plement contributors to tell their stories with the power of At the end of the discussion, Badri Bou Diab, a member of and Palestinians living in it are socially, culturally, historically speech, sound and interaction. Fighters For Peace, said, “I am only afraid of the other During the session, participants shared their opinions, and economically connected,” concluded Talal Al Majzoub, because we never meet.” His statement highlights the role comments, and suggestions regarding the 14th issue of the one of the session’s participants. The Supplement was published in January 2017 with of such discussions and mediums in peace building and “Peace Building in Lebanon” News Supplement. Funded Annahar, Assafir, L’Orient-Le Jour and the Daily Star news- conflict prevention. by KfW, this supplement was published by the UNDP papers in Arabic, French and English. “Peace Building in Lebanon” project on December 22nd, 2016. In her article, Samaa talked about two young Palestinians, Ahmad and Rouba, residing in refugee camps in Lebanon, “What I hope for is to live outside The realities and hopes of Lebanese, Syrian, and Pales- who defied their circumstances and initiated positive the camp, not outside Lebanon. I tinian youth in Lebanon were discussed. Ruba’s story was change in their community. mentioned in journalist Samaa Abu Sharar’s article, wish it was possible and easy to do” “Palestinian Youth in Lebanon: Who Shall Bell the Cat?” Ahmad, who took part in the discussion session, said, Samaa described how Ruba devoted her time and efforts “What I hope for is to live outside the camp, not outside Lebanon. I wish it was possible and easy to do.” He added

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Conference on Media Regulations: The second session discussed the media regulatory frameworks, and offered cases on how to strike a balance “Less Complaining, More Solutions” between freedom and social responsibility. Among many international and Lebanese speakers, Marius Dragomir, Director of the Center for Media, Data and Society (CMDS), who mentioned the new challenges to independent journalism, mentioning the media’s role in either supporting peace building and social stability or contributing to destabilization, especially in deeply divided communities.

The legislative aspect of media regulations was the main focus of speakers and participants in the last session of the conference. Do the print and audio-visual laws guarantee both freedom and social responsibility? What is the role of the National Media Council, syndicates and media outlets? All these questions and many others were Few days after the conference, Maharat and UNDP answered by speakers such as MP Ghassan Mkheiber, finalized the working paper to help develop the professional Lawyer Toni Mikhael, and legal expert in media laws at frameworks regulating the media currently in application Maharat Foundation and Dr. Georges Sadaka, Dean of the in Lebanon. The working paper was shared with the Faculty of Information at the Lebanese University. participants before being delivered to the Minister of Information. At the end of the conference, participants were engaged in a round table to discuss the state of the media in Most of the recommendations stressed on the need to hold Lebanon and to put forward a vision and recommendations extensive meetings and sessions to discuss the working to protect the profession in Lebanon in light of international paper with different linked fields and parties, involving “I will be waiting for the recommendations of this professors, NGOs representatives and students. experiences. media outlets representatives in the talks and sessions, conference to turn them into executive orders” said Participants carefully listened to the experiences shared calling all media outlets to adopt transparency when talking Minister of Information Melhem Riachy, during a two day by experts coming from the Balkans, Germany, Tunisia and about funding, protecting journalists and their work based conference organized by Maharat Foundation, in co- Lebanon, during the first session on the role of the media on labor law and encouraging the elaboration of pacts operation with the United Nations Development Programme in strengthening civil peace: Models from countries that instead of laws and sanctions. (UNDP) and in partnership with the Ministry of Information. suffered from civil wars or international conflicts. “This Funded by the UK, the conference titled: “Comparative conference is an important space for debating the role of “I have benefited a lot from this conference. You don’t Cases from Around the World of the Role of the Media in media in social cohesion” said Rabih El Haber, editor of have the chance to meet prominent journalists and media Strengthening Peace and Social Stability: Which System Lebanon Files website and participant in the conference. professors everyday” said Layla Yammine, media and and Model?” took place in Beirut on the 21st and 22nd of journalism student. March. “This conference is an important It hosted a group of international and local media experts with practical, technical and legal experience in the space for debating the role of media regulation and management of the media in plural and in social cohesion” divided democratic societies, in addition to university

14 15 The UNDP “Peace Building in Lebanon” project works since 2007 on enhancing mutual understanding and promoting social cohesion by addressing root causes of conflict in Lebanon. The project has been also lately working on addressing the impact of the Syrian crisis on social stability in Lebanon.

The project supports different groups from local leaders and local actors, to educators, journalists, youth and civil society activists, in developing medium and long-term strategies for peace building, crisis management and conflict prevention.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

“Peace Building in Lebanon” project Arab Bank Building - 6th Floor Riad El Solh Street, Nejmeh, Beirut - Lebanon Telephone: 01 980 583 or 70 119160