IREX IN LEBANON

HIGHLIGHTS: YOUTH IN ACTION
Lebanese Young Woman’s Persistence Leads to Government Accountability & Greater
Citizen Security: Gracia Aad’s “Improving Road Security”
The Baalbak-Kah Road – the only road connecting points in North Lebanon – is plagued by
potholes, road blocks, and frequent carjacking incidences by armed gangs. With the help
of other local youth, IREX grantee and Youth Civil Society Leadership Program participant
Gracia Aad successfully convinced the Ministry for Public Works to rehabilitate the major
highway.
Gracia Aad, a young woman from the Christian town Kah, witnessed the effects and dangers
of the Baalbak-Kah Road, as well as local residents’ fears of falling prey to the demands
of armed gangs. Aad understood that if the road was repaired, cars would be able
to drive at faster speeds and criminals would no longer be able to easily attack them. The
grantee’s first step was to collect information on road conditions, the number of carjacking
cases and accidents, and photographs of the road. After publishing the information in a
brochure and distributing it throughout North Bekaa, she met with local municipality and
Ministry of Public Works representatives to convince them to rebuild the Baalbak-Kah Road.
At first the municipalities and Ministry of Public Works were reluctant to take responsibility
for the road. When Aad pushed further with her advocacy efforts and even appeared on
local television channels arguing for the reconstruction of the North Lebanon highway, the
Ministry of Public Works took notice. Then, in September 2009, the Ministry began rehabilitating
the road.
Aad’s project not only made the government accountable for the safety and security of local
citizens, but also involved youth from Muslim and Christian communities, who helped
the grantee garner support for the project throughout the region. These youth who do not
normally interact with one another – let alone advocate for common problems – worked
together to resolve a pressing issue facing their communities. The program’s youth leader
in North Lebanon described the impact this project had on those involved, “I saw that the
youth’s confidence grew. They knew more about the way that communities work in Lebanon
and had the confidence to do something about it. [By working together] they lost their fears
of being proactive and of each other.”
“I saw that the
youth’s confidence
grew. They knew
more about the
way that
communities work
in Lebanon and
had the confidence
to do something
about it. [By
working together]
they lost their fears
of being proactive
and of each other.”
Ezzedine
Elchimalie,
Youth Leader,
North Lebanon
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