The Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training and forum ZFD, Germany organized a Side Event at the 51st Munich Security Conference on February 7th, 2015. The Side Event aimed at addressing significant challenges and dangers of escalation as well as appropriate measures on how to respond to the Syrian Refugee Crisis and ensure a peaceful and stable Lebanon.
This side event commenced with a speech delivered by Mr. Peter Sutherland, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General for International Migration who asserted that governments in general are not ready for 3rd degree crisis like that in Syria. He also asserted that what is needed is a strong sense of solidarity among the neighboring countries to be able to respond to the crisis.
Dr. Shadi Karam, the senior advisor to the President of the Lebanese Council of Ministers, shed light on the necessity of immediate implementation of the three strategic priorities inscribed in the lately released Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP). He also confirms the government’s readiness to implement this plan once funds are secured
Dr. Rami Lakkis, the founder and president of the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training gives an overview of the change in the public mind towards the Syrian refugees from that of welcome and sympathy in 2011 to an attitude of restlessness, threat, and fear after 4 years of hosting an ever growing numbers of refugees. He proclaims that the long-term existence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon necessitates a redefinition of the Lebanese community since the influx not only changed the relationship between the host community and the refugees but also among the Lebanese community. The emerging community thus experiences a new shift with different needs and complex relationships. He then stresses the significance of the crucial role of civil society in rural areas in building processes of interaction, non-violent conflict transformation, and joint decision making among the ingredients of the newly emerging community taking the component of Syrian refugees into account.
Lakkis also builds on the strategic priorities enlisted in the LCRP and capitalizes on the partnership between international NGOs and local civil society actors which hand-in-hand with governmental bodies can better tackle the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on the Lebanese community. “Terrorism is active on the grass root level, so International community preaching for peace should also be more active at the grass root level through promoting social cohesion network in the regions hardest hit by the high influx of refugees such as Bekaa of Lebanon” he added.
Dr. Christoph Beier, the vice-chair of the management board in Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) echoes the importance of partnering with local civil society in promoting social cohesion and spoke high of the fruitful and productive partnership with the Lebanese organization of Studies and Training in the Bekaa region. Such sustainable partnerships as this with the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training is a strategic one which needs to be upgraded and developed for the sake of fostering a culture of non-violence and positive dialogue in conflicting societies like that of Lebanon.
