IREX IN LEBANON

Lebanon: A Profile
Although Lebanon’s Civil War officially ended in 1990, the
political and religious divides that wracked the country for
almost 20 years continue to permeate the social, political,
and economic fabric of Lebanese society. The assassination
of the former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005, the
subsequent Cedar Revolution, the conflict that erupted in
2006 with Israel, and then the internal violence in 2008 further
demonstrate how fragile the political situation remains
in Lebanon.
A significant consequence of the political and social instability
in Lebanon is youth unemployment. Currently, unemployment
rates among youth ages 15-24 have peaked
at 26 percent. Furthermore, Lebanese youth comprise approximately
half of those who are unemployed. 1
In addition to the lack of job opportunities, there is a gap
in civic engagement. The absence of volunteer opportunities
and community-based activities can be attributed in
part to continued instability, which makes it challenging for
Lebanon’s civil society leaders. Civil society organizations
facing a constant renewal of violence find it difficult not
only to implement regular activities but also to convince
citizens of the importance of community involvement and
social awareness. This lack of community service and volunteer
activities, however, presents a unique opportunity for
international organizations to help Lebanese civil society
engage youth and give them the tools to help reshape the
future of their societies and bring stability to Lebanon.
1 United Nations Development Programme, “What We Do/The Millennium
Development Goals in Lebanon” http://www.undp.org.lb/
WhatWeDo/MDGs.cfm
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