The Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST) organized a forum entitled, “Peace Building Strategies in Baalbeck-Hermel” in partnership with Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, zivik. The first day of the forum was on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in Tammooz Hall, Baalbeck. The event that was attended by national and international organizations, activists, leaders, decision makers, and stakeholders was an opportunity for a vital discussion of conflict root causes with more than 250 participants.
In the first session of the forum, several speeches were given in which different points of concern were highlighted. Baalbeck-Hermel Governor, Mr. Bashir Khodor, underscored the development as a key element in peace infrastructure.
In LOST’s speech, Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the organization’s founder, spoke at length about the importance of securing job opportunities for the Lebanese youth as a factor in peace building in the region in the light of the simmering competition with the Syrian labor force.
Mr. Luca Renda, UNDP Country Director, mentioned the importance of the coordination between local authorities, international bodies, and donor community to implement developmental plans that can definitely contribute to the civil peace.
Lord Purvis of Tweed, a member of the International Relations Committee in Britain, had a speech in which he stressed making room for youth to be part in decision making to ingrain long-term peace.
In the next sessions, there was a presentation of several studies which described the conflicts in Lebanon, and specifically in Baalbeck-Hermel region. The studies “The Roots of Conflict,” “Connectors and Dividers,’ “The Impact of the Syrian Crisis on Conflicts”, and “Local Mechanisms Implemented in Conflict Resolution” were illustrated and shared with the participants to draw out conclusions.
The first day of the forum is to be followed by another day on Tuesday, September 27th, 2016. The illustration of conflict causes is the introduction for drafting peace building strategies in Baalbeck-Hermel region.