Conference on Think Tanks as Civil Society Catalysts in the MENA Region: Fulfilling their Potential - February 6-8, 1999
In cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), and the Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank, the LCPS organized a conference on "Think Tanks as Civil Society Catalysts in the MENA Region: Fulfilling their Potential" at Bellevue Palace Hotel in Broumana. The conference which took place between the 6th and the 8th of February, brought together 50 representatives of research centers and policy institutes from the Arab world, Turkey and Iran. The conference provided the opportunity for participants to discuss vital issues related to think tanks, and to expand and strengthen the regional cooperation networks of their respective institutes.
The first day of the conference focused on economic development issues in the region and the role that policy institutes could play in encouraging reforms necessary for economic growth. The topics which were explored included a recollection of reform and development in the region, a review of regulation and the role of the state, a discussion on budgeting and governance, and a deliberation on aspects of education sector reform. The second day of the conference focused on building the capacity of think tanks and strengthening their role in policy reform.
Mediterranean Development Forum Meeting
February 9-10, 1999
In cooperation with the Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank, the LCPS hosted a two-day preparatory meeting (February 9-10) for the upcoming third Mediterranean Development Forum (MDF) taking place in Egypt, March 2000. MDF 2000 will feature seven workshop themes on:
The LCPS will be involved in designing, developing, as well as conducting research for the workshop on Institutional Reforms.
MDF Background
MDF was first launched in May 1997 by a group of 600 development practitioners and experts with the objective of disseminating knowledge, building skills, and fostering networks within the development community in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). While the themes of the 1997 and 1998 Forums focused on Knowledge and Skills for Development in the Information Age (1997), and Participation and Development (1998), the theme title for MDF 2000 will be: Voices for Change, Partners for Prosperity.
The LCPS and ten other think tanks from the Arab world, Iran and Turkey, have been collaborating with the World Bank in planning, organizing, and conducting research for the yearly forums. These institutes include:
In 1998, the LCPS led a delegation from Lebanon to the second Mediterranean Development Forum (MDF 98), which took place in Marrakech between September 3 -6. The Lebanese delegation (41 members), consisted of scholars, academics, government officials, journalists, and entrepreneurs. MDF 98 featured five workshop themes on a) Globalization, b) Economic Development and Poverty Reduction, c) Governance, d) Human Development of MENA, and e) Public- Private Partnerships in the MENA regions. In collaboration with the World Bank, the LCPS designed and developed the workshop on Governance: Efficiency and Participation.
With support from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and under the auspices of the Minister of Justice, the LCPS organised a conference on Judges in Lebanon. Inaugurated by the Minister of Justice, Dr. Joseph Shaoul, and the President of the Judicial Studies Institute, Mr. Chebib Moukalled, the conference assembled over 90 high ranking judges, lawyers, media representatives, and several government officials.
Over a two-day period, the conference featured presentations on the institutional
challenges and constraints facing the corps of judges in Lebanon, the structure
of the judicial institute and its relation with the Judiciary sector, the
selection of potential judges, the process and training procedures of new
judges, the professional situation and development of women in the judiciary
sector, and the professional and educational development of judges. The
last session of the conference revolved around various approaches to strengthening
the Judicial Studies Institute, and conferees presented solutions and recommendations
for the various problems which judges and the Judicial Studies Institute
face. The LCPS plans to publish the conference presentations and the recommendations.
Panel Discussion: Global Public Goods; International Cooperation in the 21st Century - July 30, 1999
The LCPS cooperated with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and provided consulting services and resource input for a panel dicussion on a book entitled: Global Public Goods; International Cooperation in the 21st Century. The concept of "global public goods" is promoted by UNDP as a further contribution to shaping and developing international cooperation in the future. The UNDP took the initiative of introducing the concept and pinpointing policy implications of "global public goods', in particular from a national perspective, in a panel discussion. The panel discussion brought together 60 participants which included government officials, members of the private sector and civil society, and representatives of UN agencies. The panel aimed at raising awareness about, and initiating debate on the subject as well as launching a process of promoting initiatives and action in support of global public goods at the national level.Workshop: Towards an Equitable and Efficient Budget - November 19, 1999
In cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the LCPS organized a workshop on the Lebanese Budget at the Riviera Hotel in Beirut on November 19, 1999. In preparation for the workshop, the LCPS conducted in-house research and collaborated with several prominent economic experts to carry out research on budgetary reform and developmental trends in Lebanon as well as the different sociological aspects of the budget.
Inaugurated by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Georges Corm, the workshop addressed different economical and sociological aspects of the budget, and the relationship between the budget and expenditure with a comprehensive social developmental policy. It featured presentations on the prospects of reforming the structure of public finance, new approaches to budget studies, budget procedure, and public finance policies and the different social and economic sectors (agriculture and health). The conference also featured a case study of the Ministry of Social Affairs, and presentations on budget allocation, and budget implementation and social spending.
The workshop was attended by a number of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, including its General Director, various financial experts, and economic and social development academics, as well as a large number of media representatives. The LCPS plans to publish the presented studies in a workshop proceedings report.