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Revisiting the path of Lebanon over the past 100 years – an analysis of different constitutional aspects

On the 12th of June 2018, the Rule of Law Programme Middle East / North Africa of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is organizing in cooperation with the Notre-Dame University a workshop in Louaizeh, Lebanon

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The Lebanese Republic, looking back on a rich history that shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity, has faced a variety of constitutional and political challenges. These challenges are partly related to the influence of foreign powers, the system of sectarian balance and to tensions therein.

Today, decades after having established a political system with a power-sharing mechanism based on sectarian communities, Lebanon is revisiting its constitutional history, searching for answers regarding the best options for its future development, with several constitutional amendments being discussed.

Starting June until the end of November 2018, KAS in cooperation with Notre Dame University conducts a series of workshops on the three key aspects in Lebanon’s constitutional history and development of the state:

  • Confessional Consociationalism, constitutional order and future perspectives
  • Public institutions and authorities, checks and balances in the constitutional order and governance
  • Democratic principle and representation
The series of round tables aims to discuss research papers, bringing together legal scholars and representatives of government institutions in order to revisit and discuss achievements and challenges during the past 100 years.

Consociationalism has been a key aspect of Lebanese politics over the past 100 years and again in the recently held elections. However, the constitution and organic laws only hesitantly addressed it. While some voices claim that the Lebanese state has failed to provide the Lebanese people with the necessary tools to build an over-arching Lebanese National identity that unites the Lebanese beyond their sects and religions, others suggest that this diversity and plurality is what constitutes Lebanese identity with no need to go beyond.

Linking up to last year’s round-table on constitutions and state-building, the next round table, focusing on confessional consociationalism in the constitutional order, is scheduled to take place on June 12th, 2018 at Notre-Dame University in Louaizeh.

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Venue

Notre-Dame University, Louaizeh, Lebanon

Contact

Dr. jur. Anja Schoeller-Schletter