Building Peace together
This program is designed to foster positive peace in Lebanon by addressing deep-rooted sectarian divides and promoting social cohesion. The program works by building networks among youth, civil society actors, and religious and political leaders to advance active citizenship, good governance, and peace. Its goal is to create both physical and virtual spaces where communities can engage in dialogue, promote cross-cultural understanding, and collaborate on shared solutions for local challenges. By equipping key social actors with the tools and knowledge to lead peacebuilding initiatives, the program seeks to foster long-term change and inclusivity.
Incorporating conflict resolution theories and social cohesion models, the program aims to transform negative social dynamics by encouraging constructive interactions and collaboration across divides.
This program is an extension of earlier projects like Tamasok, aiming to reduce prejudice and reverse social cleavages caused by conflict, discrimination, and sectarianism through positive intergroup contact.
Through workshops, community-driven projects, and virtual platforms for peace education and promotion, the program encourages meaningful engagement among diverse groups, helping to break down historical barriers of mistrust. The focus on youth and community leaders is essential, as these groups are the driving force behind creating lasting peace and strengthening democratic governance.
Ultimately, the MNPP’s work strengthens local ownership and fosters sustainable networks that promote peace, cooperation, and coexistence in the region.
Workshop 1:
Disaster management
Given the brutal war and mass displacement in Lebanon, many youths from our network launched or participated in relief and humanitarian initiatives in their regions. They reached out to us expressing the need to know more about effective ways to navigate crises, provide effective support, reduce tensions, and manage conflicts arising from large-scale displacement. So, we decided to start the program responding to their pressing needs and we delivered two workshops on disaster management in Danniyeh, North Lebanon and in Deyr EL Haref, Mount Lebanon.
The training covered the following themes: Disaster management cycles, risk assessment, and crisis intervention – First Aid, PFA, PSS strategies – Conflict sensitivity and social cohesion – Effective messaging strategies, stakeholders’ engagement, and humanitarian efforts’ coordination – Local response implementation strategies, resource mobilization, and post-disaster recovery planning.
By empowering youth and civil society leaders to take active roles in crisis response and community resilience, the training contributed to:
a. Strengthening social cohesion by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to collaborate on crisis response.
b. Promoting active citizenship through capacity-building efforts that empower local actors to lead disaster preparedness initiatives.
c. Enhancing peacebuilding efforts by addressing sectarian tensions and encouraging cooperation in humanitarian responses.
"A training turned into real policy action!"
Elie Rizk, a lawyer and political activist, entered our disaster management workshop with little expectation. Months later, he found himself putting the knowledge he gained to unexpected use. Yet, as the process unfolded, he stumbled upon something that would ignite a deep, unexpected warmth within him
"We lacked communication and coordination"
Alaa Sabbagh, a social activist and scout leader, participated in this workshop and played a key role in organizing relief responses for forcibly displaced citizens who arrived in his region. He spoke about why this workshop was so important to him and shared a moving personal experience with his "guests" as he said, not the displaced from the south.
Certain ways of documentation could cause harm
Graziella Jaber, programs manager, entrepreneur and social activist, organized initiatives in Aley for the forcibly displaced. This workshop taught her that certain ways of documentation could harm those she supports and her work. She learned the importance of media protection procedures to ensure efficiency and preserve dignity in crises.
Health awareness saves lives during crisis
Rashad Ghannoum, a First Aid trainer and young social activist from the North, is deeply concerned about the health of displaced families. Despite the challenges of war and ongoing warnings, he dedicated himself to welcoming these families and educating them on first aid principles and health tips to support them through the crisis.
Workshop 2:
Critical Thinking and Media Integrity
Conflict transformation, fact-checking, and critical thinking are essential tools for fostering constructive dialogue and shaping accurate narratives. These skills are particularly crucial in times of crisis, when hate speech and fake news often emerge and get mobilized to incite further violence.
To address this, we organized this workshop with the goal of empowering 24 participants to identify, analyze, and address media bias and misinformation. We emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in understanding and combating the harmful effects of misinformation on communities.
Throughout the workshop, participants also explored effective tools for understanding and resolving conflicts. They developed critical thinking skills to better navigate the challenges and issues they face daily, while practicing ways to apply their newfound knowledge to resolve conflicts in their own lives.
I would have reacted differently if I knew it was fake
During the Lebanese war, a great deal of misinformation circulated, fueling fear within the community. The danger was real, and the fear was often amplified by false information. Bahaa Oubeid, a data entry clerk, recalls an instance when his mother received a warning to flee their home immediately. After understanding the strategies of fake news, Bahaa shares his reflection.
I understood the importance of asking the right questions
The training on conflict resolution and transformation had a significant impact on Rawan Herchi. This young political scientist gained an understanding of how small details can contribute to solving complex issues. She particularly appreciated the diverse group, which gave her the opportunity to practice the social skills she deems essential for meaningful dialogue
The discussions were heated but we felt safe
Abbas Sibai, a visionary, entrepreneur, and social activist, had some concerns about being the oldest participant in the workshop. He shared his reflections on how he navigated the age gap and his interactions with other participants. He also reflected on the heated political discussions he engaged in and the intervention from FDCD, as well as the insights he gained from the workshop that helped him navigate conflicts.
Initiatives
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Peace on pumpkinCan you imagine the connection between a pumpkin, economic stability, agricultural self-sufficiency, national heritage, and social cohesion? This unique initiative wove all that into one powerful day of art, dialogue, and community action.
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