At the invitation of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, the Centre de Dialogue et Development, the Orthodox Youth Movement, and the Diocese Youth of the Church, a youth meeting was held on the February 22, 2020, at the Centre de Dialogue et Development in Majdaloun, Lebanon. This meeting gathered about seventy young men and women from different denominations, under the title of “Together for Lebanon”.
This unique meeting opportunity started with words from the president of Centre de Dialogue et Development, Mr. Emile Iskandar, and the director of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, Dr. Zahi Azar. The meeting included also an introduction on citizenship by the journalist Ms. Badia Hani Fahs, and an introduction to social justice by the secretary-general of the Orthodox Youth Movement, Mr. Fadi Nasr. Each of these sessions were followed by workshops, during which the participants were divided into groups. During the concluding session many Christian and Muslim clerics contributed in the discussion of this meeting’s sessions, with future aspirations for the role of the youths in shaping the new Lebanon on the basis of diversity and coexistence. The meeting ended with a common prayer presented by Fr. Walid Aldik.
The meeting issued the following appeal:
1) The participants affirm that Lebanon is a homeland for all its people, and it is a homeland of mission, dialogue and openness.
2) The basic principle for the establishment of the state in Lebanon stems from the work of institutions in light of equality, social justice and respect for human rights.
3) Social justice in Lebanon is an essential element in establishing stability and driving the citizens to participate in a cultural, social and economic renaissance that affects the social strata of all sects in various regions.
4) The modern civil state, which is based on the principle of citizenship and getting out of the sectarian conflicts, is the guarantor of stopping conflicts, wasting energies, and positioning Lebanon on the map of the developed countries.
5) The profound crisis that the country is currently experiencing under the weight of popular demands against waste, corruption and social justice must contribute with all the components of civil society in building a new Lebanon that meets the ambitions of its people, especially the younger generation.
6) The participants call on all the Lebanese youths within the religious organizations (Muslims and Christians) or outside of them, to take advantage of the historical moment that the country has lived since October 17, 2019 to deepen their commitment to build a new Lebanon with values of mutual knowledge, solidarity, shaping visions and field delivery.
7) Publishing Muslim-Christian youth seminars in various Lebanese regions to contribute in building of the new Lebanon, away from every geographic or political centrality.
8) The participants emphasize on the importance of the constructive social communication and accompanying media as essential elements to strengthen the committed youthful sources in this innovative structure.
9) The participants stress on the importance of developing environmental awareness with all its components and regulations as a basic orientation in building a homeland that resembles the ambitions of the youths.
10) The participants called on the Lebanese youths to continuously be new source of hope that always elevates the Lebanese people to new and promising horizons.
11) The participants affirm that religious faith can be a reinforcer for building social justice and citizenship if the consciousness of the youths crystallizes that faith could be freed from sectarian fanaticism.
12) The participants hope that these dialogue seminars will expand in associations, schools and universities, so that everyone can participate in discussing current issues, while continuously evaluating the process in order to formulate one national vision that aims to overcome the current crises, establish a new republic that meets the Lebanese people’s ambitions of stability and prosperity, and maintain Lebanon’s civilized role in the Arab setting and the world at large.
Signed by:
Muslim and Christian youths
