Auslandsbuero Libanon

What can Lebanon and the Middle East learn from the success of social market economy? This question was approached in two aspects: firstly, Dr. André Habisch from the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Dr. Eugene Sensenig, Professor from the Notre-Dame University Louaize and Mr. Peter Rimmele, Director of the Lebanon Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), provided an overview of theoretical and philosophical fundamentals. These lectures supplemented by a panel discussion with the contributions of researchers and businesspeople from Denmark (Dr. Martin Beck), Nigeria (Mr. Habib Jaafar) and Lebanon (Dr. Hasan Youness). Hereby the structure of origin of the social market economic model in Germany and Europe, as well as the applicability and comparability in regard to Lebanese and regional context was discussed.

During the second part of the seminar, participants were introduced to the practical aspect of the topic. Therefore different case studies were presented: the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association by Dr. Mira Thoumy and Mr. Omar Sakr, the NGO Arcenciel by Ms. Miguele Issa, as well as the Forum of Muslim and Christian Businesspeople (MA’AM) by Joe Hatem. Last but not least, two academic lectures tackling the private sector and corporate social responsibility by Dr. Dima Jamali, as well as the public sector and the Lebanese economic system by Dr. Salim Chahine (both from the American University of Beirut, AUB) were given.

Dr. Edward Alam (Norte-Dame University Louaize) and Mr. Peter Rimmele (KAS) emphasized the importance of this initiative and the necessity of cooperation among all participants to create an economy, which serves mankind, especially amidst the challenges that Lebanon is currently facing.

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