The Lebanese and Palestinian Youth Dialogue on Conflict

The Lebanese and Palestinian Youth Dialogue on Conflict Resolution June 28 th 2005 Press Conference

The Idea • Lebanon is characterized by its diverse people. – Multi-Factional (Politically, Religiously, Economically). – Palestinians became part of these factions in 1948. • “Any community with a diversity of members and interests will not be without conflict” 1 – Conflict = tension amongst factions due to valid instances of injustice and misunderstanding • Use of dialogue to promote a just co-existence 1 Michael Amaladoss, S. J. Dialogue as Conflict Resolution

Why Lebanese and Palestinian? • The Palestinian cause serves as a divisive factor between existing factions. • As a first step Lebanese and Palestinian issues must be addressed. • As a second step, must address Lebanese factional issues. • If Lebanese and Palestinian issue is resolved and understood, this will contribute largely to facilitating resolution and reconciliation among Lebanese factions. – Issues revolving around the Lebanese War concern both Palestinian and Lebanese factions.

Why Dialogue • Dialogue is a creative way of solving conflicts without allowing the eruption of violence. • Dialogue gives way to the confrontation and advocacy of issues/needs – Issues gain legitimacy this way – Forces recognition of the interdependence of issues, thus making negotiation and resolution possible. • Dialogue creates a platform for remedying misconceptions and misunderstanding.

What are the issues? • Three main points of injustice or misunderstanding between Lebanese and Palestinians: 1. The aspiration of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to attain human and civil rights. 2. The role of Palestinians in the Lebanese war. 3. The role of Lebanon in supporting the Palestinian cause and protecting Palestinians in Lebanon.

Why the youth? • Today’s youth took no active role in the Lebanese War (violent eruption of conflict) – Thus they are more susceptible to reconciliation and resolving issues through dialogue • They are the future – Understanding now will lead to stronger bonds later, consequently reaching social and political harmony in the future

Who are our youth? • Mostly University students – Participating universities BAU, USJ, LAU, NDU, AUB, BCU • 40 participants divided into 2 groups (20 in each group) – – – Some from political backgrounds Some with no political affiliations 35% Palestinian 25% Lebanese who advocate the Palestinian cause 40% Lebanese

What is the project? • The project provides a framework for inter-communal dialogue that integrates all factions in Lebanon • Through 4 main activities it intends to breakdown existing barriers between Palestinians and Lebanese by building strong and lasting ties • The activities will create a platform for dialogue, promote better cultural understanding, create human and civil rights awareness and build a volunteer network • This project has a human rights angle – Use the human rights approach to come to better understanding of the conflict and as a launching point for future activism

Project Timeline 2005 Activity 1 (University Dialogue Events) Activity 2 (Cross. Communal Visits) Activity 3 (Human Rights Workshop) Activity 4 (Volunteer Network) April Ma y Jun e July August Septembe r 2006 Octobe r Novembe r December Januar y Februar y Marc h

Activity 1: Dialogue Event • Develops the basis for the whole project • 2 -Day activity that provides the opportunity for constructive dialogue • Through dialogue and the guidance of a professional facilitator participants will acquire: – – Knowledge of how to deal with conflict Communication skills Dialogue skills Awareness of the others’ needs and fears

Activity 2: Cross-Community Cultural Exchange Visits • Helps break through the conceptual barriers each side has of one another and reach the human element • Locations will be decided by the participants – Each Group • Achieves greater understanding between Lebanese and Palestinians

Activity 3: Human Rights Workshop • Create an overall rights awareness and their application for achieving reconciliation • Gives participants the knowledge needed to build their own assessment of the situation – Gives them baseline information against which they can compare what they’ve actually seen in their visits (Activity 2) • Provides them with the skills for advocating their issues and building their volunteer networks. • Allows them to create their own advocacy guidelines for future human and civil rights efforts in Lebanon

Activity 4: Volunteer Network • Compliments the other activities to channel the ambition of young people into grassroots initiatives that focus on the overall objective of national reconciliation • Project coordinators will play an advisory and supportive role – – – Initiate meetings Provide venue for meetings Follow up on progress of volunteer network initiatives

Your Role • Your role as the media is to convey to the your audience: – The issues brought up by the youth – Their progress in resolving these issues – The effect of the activities on the participants • Provide documentation of the project to ensure frequent evaluation and feedback throughout the process