News

The Partnership Center for Development & Democracy (PCDD) organised last week its fourth seminar on women’s participation in public life this time held in Tripoli in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.  The event is part of a series of seminars that the centre is organizing in various areas of Lebanon within the framework of the “eye on my municipality” project implemented with financial support from MEPI.
The seminar was moderated by the Centre’s director Lina Alameddine, and discussed challenges facing women in political participation.  It highlighted issues such as male authority, traditional mindsets, the electoral system and women’s personality.  Some participants blamed women for being weak in taking initiatives and proving themselves in public life whilst other participants objected to the quota system; however, there was a consensus that women should have the right to transmit their nationality to their children.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 22 September 2013

For more information about PCDD’s previous seminars, please check the news published on the WEEPortal on 10/9/2013, titled: “The Partnership Center for Development & Democracy meeting in Zahleh on women and public participation”

The YWMA honored the vice president of the Walid Bin Talal Foundation former Minister Layla Al Solh in recognition of her considerable humanitarian contributions.  The event was held during a brunch organised by the association at the Phoenicia hotel and was attended by many women civil society figures as well as wives of MPs.
The president of the YWMA Najah al Chaar gave a key note address highlighting the humanitarian contributions of As Solh to the benefit of charitable, social, religious, health and military institutions.  As Solh noted for her part, the important role that women played in building the nation since the march in 1943 against the French mandate and their active participation in the struggle in the Arab world to achieve their social, economic and political rights.
Source: Al-Nahar 23 September 2013

My Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family Campaign noted in a communiqué released, last Friday, that the new naturalisation decree number 10214 signed by the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister was finally made public by the As Safir newspaper following numerous rumors on this matter echoed by the media.

The Campaign noted in its press release: “Rather than dwelling to no avail on the why and how was such a decree issued or on the identity of those who benefited from it as well as the background and interests involved, My Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family Campaign is ethically compelled to underline a number of conclusions on this matter:

1. This decree was in now way surprising given very frequent precedents of arbitrary and non transparent practices by decision makers in Lebanon and to which, alas, citizens, have become accustomed;
2. It is indeed shameful for the state, and notably for its two highest authorities, to grant the Lebanese nationality to foreigners, and ironically to women and men and their families, when it is denying this right to Lebanese women and their families whilst citing poorly convincing excuses;
3. This decree reveals the state’s total disregard vis a vis its women citizens and their rights and highlights the state’s false claims of being keen on upholding the rule of law and ensuring citizen’s rights and equality.
4. What is most incomprehensible is the timing of this decree as the country is going through the most uncertain and dangerous period and when the political elite is unable to provide the minimum level of safety, well being and livelihood to its citizens and is also unable to nominate a new government to take on such responsibilities.

The campaign concluded by saying that the release of this decree further reinforces our conviction with regards to a need for a radical change in the practice of governance in Lebanon and for embracing full and inclusive citizenship as the only entry point towards building a new state that is mindful of Citizen’s rights and social justice and as an alternative to the present confederation of religious groups.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Akhbar 21 September 2013

Hayya Bina organised at the Yolip centre in Debbieh (Chuf) a three days training workshop targeting the teachers of the English for Women programme, which implemented by the organisation in more than 35 localities in Lebanon.  The workshop included training session in using latest techniques for teaching English, conceptual and practical training in conflict resolution within.
The English for Women programme which now enters into its fifth year, with funding from the USA Embassy in Lebanon, seeks to combat English illiteracy amongst rural women and targets 800 women beneficiaries.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 20 September 2013

Agricultural exports increased by 14% during the first half of 2013 with fruits and vegetable export reaching around 177 thousand tons, whilst citrus exports ranked at the top with 50 thousand tons, (i.e. 28% of the total export), vegetables came at the bottom with 38 thousand tons, (i.e. less than 6%). For their part, apple exports fell second with 40 thousand tons followed by banana (30 thousand tons), grapes (3 thousand tons) and potatoes export (33 thousand tons). Olive oil exports have also increased, since the start of the programme, reaching 1000 tons during the reviewed period, 55% of which were exported to North America (including Canada).
This information was released by the director general of Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), Nabil Itani, during a field visit to the Beqaa, where he also reiterated that the aim of the institution was not only to improve quality but also to open new markets, an objective achieved since the start up of the new Agri Plus project some two years ago.  
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Diyar 20 September 2013

The food processing industry recoded great achievements in recent years, because of its ability to meet the demand of local markets, as well as make headway in several regional and international markets, thus setting the example for other industries in Lebanon. The president of the Federation of CCIA in Lebanon, Mr. Mohammad Shucair stressed, during a conference held yesterday in Saida, the importance of these achievements, adding that support to agriculture leads to the development of most of the other related sectors, and also pointing out to the fact that no prosperous sector can survive without the needed infrastructure and a favorable investment climate. He indicated that the agriculture sector greatly contributes to the offsetting of the trade deficit and the creation of new job opportunities both vital for the Lebanese economy.
Furthermore, the Lebanese food processing industry comes at the top in terms of generated added value, an in the second place in terms of investments, and this according to, Munir Al-Bsat, the vice president of the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industrialists.
Shucair’s statement came during a conference organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Saida and the South, to formally launch an exhibition entitled  “Encouraging innovation in food processing” an held at he exhibition centre of the chamber in Saida. The conference included several workshops, in which experts addressed the issue of innovation in the food processing industry. For his part, the president of the CCIA of Saida and the south, Mohammad Saleh, reemphasized the importance of innovation and creativity and their role in fighting unemployment and securing the autonomy of Lebanese industry, calling upon the government to adopt policies that support the knowledge based economy.
It is to be noted that the exhibition opens for the public today with the participation of more than 50 food processing enterprises and rural cooperative from Saida and the south, and is organized in collaboration with IDAL, the Federation of CCIA in Lebanon, and the EU. The exhibition will remain open from September 19th to 23rd and this from 4:00 to 10:00 PM.
Source: Al-Safir 19 September 2013

The Lebanese Parliament, in collaboration with the UNDP launched, on the occasion of the international democracy day, two studies the first entitled “role of the Parliament in strengthening youth’s participation in political parties and parliamentarian elections” and the second entitled “Role of Parliament in Creating Work Opportunities for Lebanese Youth”.
The studies came as a result of a series of workshops organised by the parliamentary commission for youth and sports during the months of June and July 2013 with the participation of heads and members of youth organisations, as civil society organisations and representative of the youth branches of various political parties.
The president of the Parliamentary Commission for Youth and Sports, Simone Abi Ramia spoke during the commemoration event about the need to strengthen the employment and job market and invited parliamentarians to overcome current political differences and start working hand in hand in order to economically protect the youth and strengthen the employment market with a number of legislations.  He also emphasised the importance of reforming the constitutional decree establishing the national employment office so as to enable it to become the main regulator of the job market and to protect Lebanese labour.
Abi Ramia indicated that the role of parliament in mainstreaming young people in political life is key and includes the enactment of a new electoral law that can truly reflect popular will and that of the youth as well as the development of a new law to regulate political party and so as to encourage diversity.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Safir 18 September 2013

To review the previous workshops held by the Parliamentary Commission for Youth and Sports:
“Towards a parliamentary road map to create job opportunities for young men and women”, Published on the WEEPortal, on 19/7/2013
“The role of Parliament in employment of young women and men in Lebanon”, published on the WEEPortal on 5/6/2013
 

As Safir newspaper published a report last week about the soaring unemployment rate in Lebanon despite the absence of accurate statistics from the Ministry of Labor.  The report noted that unemployment continues to increase with clear signs that companies are generally laying off their Lebanese employees, while in some sectors companies are now only employing foreign displaced workers.  The Minister of Labour Selim Jreissati told As Safir that a large number of companies are undertaking illegal lay offs mostly in labour intensive activities, construction, glass factories, vehicle repair workshops, restaurants and cafes where employers prefer to hire foreign workers to Lebanese in view of their low salaries and this particularly the Bekaa.
Jreissati added that his Ministry has deployed an investigation commission assigned to the ministerial committee mandated with the issue of the displaced in order to monitor what is going on.  He reiterated that his ministry will hold employers accountable in case of irregularities and will impose strict financial penalties in addition to withdrawing their licenses.  For its part, Ghassan Ghosn, head of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL), noted that displaced people have the rights to be cared for by the international community through its international institutions, particularly so since Lebanon does not have the capacity to support them.  He added that the government needs to regulate displacement not only at the economic level but also in terms of the security situation which has now reached dangerous levels and that is harmful to the displaced population as well.
The report further noted, according to Ghosn, that Lebanon needs to create annually 25000 new employment opportunities for young people and graduates.  However, Ghosn stated that only 5 to 6000 jobs are available every year.  As a result, he explained, Jreissati issued a law in February 2013 which ring-fence many jobs so that they become only available to Lebanese nationals such as in the fields of administration, accounting, brokerage, insurance, architecture, jewelry making as well as free professions and this unless a foreign worker is able to secure a work permit from the relevant authorities. To be noted that although this law gives employment priorities to Lebanese, however, it still allow Palestinians born in Lebanon and registered at the Ministry of Interior to carry out some of these jobs.
In the same vein, Syrian workers are also partially dispensed from the restrictions in a number of professions namely tile work, plastering, woodwork, electrical installations, painting, commercial representatives, tailoring, warehouse managers as well as guards in addition to car repairs, and upholstering.
Source: Al-Safir 17 September 2013

As Safir published a report on the Palestinian Heritage Workshop located in Ain el Helweh and which is concerned with the preservation of popular Palestinian heritage. According to the responsible of the workshop, Ms.Jamila Al-Ashkar, the workshop benefits some 25 local women all of whom suffering from dire social and economic conditions.
ِAnother official from the workshop, Alia, noted in her interview with As Safir that concern with Palestinian heritage and with the workshop was high before the Israeli invasion of Lebanon which resulted in the destruction of the centre. The center was rebuild with local community support, and following that an important exhibition was organised and which turned out to be quite successful and provided significant income. Encouraged by this success, the group undertook the development of the embroidery workshop.  Alia noted that the most important thing in this initiative aside from the preservation of Palestinian heritage especially amongst the youth, is generating income for women workers who are mostly widowed, divorcee of heads of households and, as such, rely on embroidery work to support their families. It is to be noted that embroidery is considered to be one of the finest traditional Palestinian crafts as every stitch tells the story of a Palestinian town.
Source: Al-Safir 17 September 2013

A delegation from the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industrialists presided by George Nasraoui visited the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, last week to discuss a number of issues of concern to the food processing industry in Lebanon namely agricultural production, the rise in transportation costs via the Lebanon ports and cost of lab tests, in addition to the various difficulties faced in exporting to the USA and in participating in international trade fairs notably in Australia and other countries that are potential markets to Lebanon.
The Beirut and Mount Lebanon CCIA president and the president of the Federation of CCIA in Lebanon, Mr. Mohammad Shucair agreed on the importance of increasing Lebanese exports and noted a plan currently under preparation by the CCIA and seeking to support the participation of Lebanon in key international trade events and conferences.  This, they noted, will allow the Lebanese economy to expand and will increase the presence of Lebanon in world economy and foreign markets.
Nasraoui for his part stressed the importance of the Gulf Food exhibition, which is an annual exhibition that takes place in Dubai in February, maybe replace by fair trade where the Lebanon exhibition area occupies 400 square meters.  Yet, the Syndicate has asked for a larger space in view of the increasing demand for participation from Lebanese producers.
At the end of the visit, the Syndicate presented Shucair with a trophy in recognition of the efforts that he extended in support of the participation of Lebanese industries in international trade fairs.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 16 September 2013