USPEaK proudly announces the successful convening of the national conference “The Lebanon We Build Together: Civic Leadership and Social Cohesion”, a landmark event that gathered civil society leaders, youth representatives, and experts in peacebuilding and local governance to discuss Lebanon’s most pressing challenges and pathways to sustainable peace.
The conference served as the capstone event of the Leaders Academy III, bringing together participants who completed a year-long journey in leadership, peacebuilding, and community engagement. Through this forum, young leaders engaged directly with national experts to explore how civic participation and dialogue can foster unity and resilience in Lebanon.
The event featured two high-level panel discussions:
- Panel 1: “Peacebuilding Work in Lebanon” was moderated by Mr. Mohamed Debs and featured distinguished panelists Mr. Fadi Abi Allam, Founder of the Permanent Peace Movement; Mr. Jean-Paul Chami, CEO of Wahdatouna Khalasouna; and Ms. Alia Mokdad from Fighters for Peace. The discussion highlighted grassroots peacebuilding efforts, intercommunal dialogue, and non-violence initiatives that foster reconciliation and social cohesion across Lebanese communities.
- Panel 2: “Empowering Partnerships: Community, Civil Society, and Local Governance for Durability” was moderated by Ms. Rawan Yaghi, Founder and Director of USPEaK. Panelists included Mr. Omar Traboulsi from Oxfam Lebanon, Ms. Nada Mais, President of Keen International, and Ms. Meghri Avakian, expert in civil-military cooperation. This session emphasized the importance of collaboration between civil society and local governance structures in strengthening public trust, improving service delivery, and enhancing community durability.
In her keynote address, Ms. Yaghi emphasized that “building peace in Lebanon begins with listening, dialogue, and the courage to work together. Every effort to bridge divides—no matter how small—brings us one step closer to the Lebanon we all believe in.”
The conference reaffirmed USPEaK’s ongoing commitment to empowering youth and women, promoting democratic participation, and building inclusive partnerships that protect Lebanon’s social fabric and national unity.
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