Refugees and Social Cohesion: How to Reduce Tensions in Lebanon
The aim of the conference is to discuss:
1. Factors of radicalization and the responses of the Lebanese and the Canadian governments in that respect;
2. The question of refugees in Lebanon and the anti-Syrian sentiment as a factor of radicalization;
3. Impacts of programming designed to counter radicalization and improve social cohesion in Lebanon.
This conference will also encourage fruitful exchanges on this global issue and foster cooperation between academics, policy-makers and NGOs.
Conference Agenda
9:30 - 10:00
Registration
10:00 - 10:15
Inaugural Session
• H.E. Dr. Tarek Mitri, Director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs
Lebanese Attitudes towards Syrian Refugees: Ethical Considerations
• H.E. Ms. Emmanuelle Lamoureux, Ambassador of Canada to Lebanon
Tolerance, Openness and Inclusion Make the Specificity of the Canadian Narrative
• H.E. Mr. Mouin Merheby, Minister of State for Displaced Affairs
Refugees and Human Rights
10:15 - 11.45
First Session
Radicalization and Deradicalization
• Moderator: Ms. Diana Moukalled, Journalist
• Dr. Jocelyn Belanger, Assistant Professor, New York University, Abu Dhabi & Canadian expert on radicalization
Thrilled to Pieces: On the Role of Sensation Seeking in Political Violence
• Dr. Maha Yahya, Director of Carnegie Middle East
Radicalization Factors in Lebanon
• Dr. Khalil Gebara, Advisor to the Minister of Interior
The Lebanese Government Response
• Video Presentation by Ms. Ritu Banerjee, Senior Director, Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence
Overview of Canada’s Domestic Efforts to Counter Radicalization to Violence
11:45 - 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:30
Second Session
The Situation of Refugees in Lebanon
• Moderator: Mr. Thaer Ghandour, Journalist
• Dr. Jihan Rabah, Director of Research and Analysis, eConcordia, Co-principal Project SOMEONE, and Member of the UNESCO Global Chair on Prevention of Radicalization and Violent Extremism
Building Counter-narratives to Violent Extremism and Radicalization in Canada: Possibilities and Challenges
• Ms. Mireille Girard, UNHCR Country Representative
Refugees in Lebanon - Facts and Figures
• Dr. Nasser Yassin, Director of Research, Issam Fares Institute
Countering the Xenophobic Narrative through Data Journalism
• Mr. Ziad El-Sayegh, Expert on Public Policies and Refugees & Senior National Policy Advisor to the Ministry of State for Displaced Affairs
Refugees and Human Rights
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
14:30 - 16:00
Third Session
Promoting Social Inclusion through Active Programming - A Canadian Contribution
• Moderator: Mr. Georges Ghali, Program Manager, Act for Human Rights (ALEF)
• Ms. Elisa Dari, Lebanon Country Director, Search for Common Ground (SFCG)
Inclusive and Participatory Governance in the Municipalities of Wadi Khaled, Northern Lebanon
• Mr. Fadi Abilmona, Programme Manager, UNDP - Crisis Prevention & Recovery (CPR) Programme
Locally-based Approach for Justice and Security Interventions
• Mr. Rami Lakkis, Founder and General Manager, LOST - The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training
Engaging Syrian and Lebanese Women in Social Stability in the Bekaa
• Ms. Renée Sabbagh, National Programme Officer, UNODC Lebanon
UNODC’s Intervention in Lebanese Prisons
• Mr. Nizar El Laz, Project Manager, The Stabilisation Network (TSN)
Empowering Youth in Tripoli, Saida and Central Bekaa to Counter Violent Extremism
Note: This conference will be in English with simultaneous interpretation to Arabic
The aim of the conference is to discuss:
1. Factors of radicalization and the responses of the Lebanese and the Canadian governments in that respect;
2. The question of refugees in Lebanon and the anti-Syrian sentiment as a factor of radicalization;
3. Impacts of programming designed to counter radicalization and improve social cohesion in Lebanon.
This conference will also encourage fruitful exchanges on this global issue and foster cooperation between academics, policy-makers and NGOs.
Conference Agenda
9:30 - 10:00
Registration
10:00 - 10:15
Inaugural Session
• H.E. Dr. Tarek Mitri, Director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs
Lebanese Attitudes towards Syrian Refugees: Ethical Considerations
• H.E. Ms. Emmanuelle Lamoureux, Ambassador of Canada to Lebanon
Tolerance, Openness and Inclusion Make the Specificity of the Canadian Narrative
• H.E. Mr. Mouin Merheby, Minister of State for Displaced Affairs
Refugees and Human Rights
10:15 - 11.45
First Session
Radicalization and Deradicalization
• Moderator: Ms. Diana Moukalled, Journalist
• Dr. Jocelyn Belanger, Assistant Professor, New York University, Abu Dhabi & Canadian expert on radicalization
Thrilled to Pieces: On the Role of Sensation Seeking in Political Violence
• Dr. Maha Yahya, Director of Carnegie Middle East
Radicalization Factors in Lebanon
• Dr. Khalil Gebara, Advisor to the Minister of Interior
The Lebanese Government Response
• Video Presentation by Ms. Ritu Banerjee, Senior Director, Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence
Overview of Canada’s Domestic Efforts to Counter Radicalization to Violence
11:45 - 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:30
Second Session
The Situation of Refugees in Lebanon
• Moderator: Mr. Thaer Ghandour, Journalist
• Dr. Jihan Rabah, Director of Research and Analysis, eConcordia, Co-principal Project SOMEONE, and Member of the UNESCO Global Chair on Prevention of Radicalization and Violent Extremism
Building Counter-narratives to Violent Extremism and Radicalization in Canada: Possibilities and Challenges
• Ms. Mireille Girard, UNHCR Country Representative
Refugees in Lebanon - Facts and Figures
• Dr. Nasser Yassin, Director of Research, Issam Fares Institute
Countering the Xenophobic Narrative through Data Journalism
• Mr. Ziad El-Sayegh, Expert on Public Policies and Refugees & Senior National Policy Advisor to the Ministry of State for Displaced Affairs
Refugees and Human Rights
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
14:30 - 16:00
Third Session
Promoting Social Inclusion through Active Programming - A Canadian Contribution
• Moderator: Mr. Georges Ghali, Program Manager, Act for Human Rights (ALEF)
• Ms. Elisa Dari, Lebanon Country Director, Search for Common Ground (SFCG)
Inclusive and Participatory Governance in the Municipalities of Wadi Khaled, Northern Lebanon
• Mr. Fadi Abilmona, Programme Manager, UNDP - Crisis Prevention & Recovery (CPR) Programme
Locally-based Approach for Justice and Security Interventions
• Mr. Rami Lakkis, Founder and General Manager, LOST - The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training
Engaging Syrian and Lebanese Women in Social Stability in the Bekaa
• Ms. Renée Sabbagh, National Programme Officer, UNODC Lebanon
UNODC’s Intervention in Lebanese Prisons
• Mr. Nizar El Laz, Project Manager, The Stabilisation Network (TSN)
Empowering Youth in Tripoli, Saida and Central Bekaa to Counter Violent Extremism
Note: This conference will be in English with simultaneous interpretation to Arabic