THE PATH TO THE STATE

ALDIC collaborated with the Lebanese National Convention in its two days sessions of keynotes, panels and conversations, that took place in the social sciences campus of Saint Joseph University of Beirut, on 23 and 24 February 2023. For this second edition “The Path to the State”, the Lebanese National Convention in partnership with USJ-ISP, MTV, Civic Influence Hub and “Mashrouh Watan Elinsan”; welcomed 45 speakers and experts. ALDIC’s board members, experts in the fields of fiscal policies, finance, economy, anti-corruption and good governance, participated in four different panels.

Who is the Lebanese National Convention??Designed as a think tank, the Lebanese National Convention brings together experts committed to Lebanon’s rule of law, freedom, sovereignty, and independence. Through its forum, the Convention produces evidence-based recommendations that support State sovereignty over national territories, and strive for the full implementation of the Constitution, the National Accord Document, and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. Salim Chaar, ALDIC’s vice-president and board member of the Lebanese National Convention, is a founding and board member at the Convention and he presented the parting note at the end of each day.

** Day 1 – Thursday 23 February 2023 witnessed three panels where ALDIC’s board members were involved:

Attorney Karim Daher, ALDIC’s chairperson of the fiscal policies committee, presented the introduction note:?Vision for financial and economic recovery

Mr. Daher stated that Lebanon is facing a crisis like no other, and all stakeholders seem to have accepted the situation as a “force majeur” we can do nothing to overcome or surpass. Mr. Daher has shared his belief that the Lebanese can still save their country and participate in building a State, and changing governance to restore confidence. A restructuring of the financial system is a necessity, as well as a clear path for our economy.

Me. Daher moderated the first panel “Recovering Illegal Money” with panelists Attorney Christian Dergham and Judge Rana Akoum. The discussion was around asset recovery based on existing internal and international legislation and tools aiming at recovering assets related to corruption crimes in Lebanon. Lebanon has the tools for asset recovery and has adhered to the UNCAC, however, the process needs political will and the State to be involved.

The second panel “Mechanism of Determining Responsibilities of the Financial Collapse – Distribution of Losses – Changing Governance to Restore Confidence” was moderated by ALDIC’s Project Coordinator Mr. Jean Tawileh with panelists Attorney Marie-Claude Najm, Mr. Albert Kostanian, and Former Minister Adel Afiouni. The discussion included stating the reasons behind the financial collapse, bad governance, personal interest, corruption, absence of accountability among others. It was stated by the panelists that there is resistance to implement reforms and no official statement or confirmation on the exact value of losses to distribute them equally and hold accountable those who should be. Solutions were exposed and discussed and the panelists emphasized the importance of restoring confidence.

The third panel “Restructuring of the Financial System” had among the panellists our board member Mr. Nicolas Chikhani, with Mr. Saad Sabrah and Mrs. Carole Ayat. The panel was moderated by Mrs. Sabine Oueiss. Mr. Chikhani presented a reform plan in which he suggested 10 steps to follow to reform the Lebanese economy. This plan includes mainly: commission Lebanese owned electricity company, request the Central Bank to review its financial strategies and policies and apply good governance and transparency, independence of the justice system, restructure the public sector and reschedule its debt, restructure banks, protect deposits and highlight illicit enrichment, create an asset management company, finance the State, build a social safety net, and ratify the IMF agreement to create liquidity to finance the reform strategy.?

** Day 2 – Friday 24 February 2023 witnessed one panel where ALDIC’s President was involved:

The fourth panel “Fighting Corruption: Facts and Figures” had among the panelists Attorney Carine Tohme, with Mr. Julien Courson, and the panel was moderated by Mrs. Tania Tabet Sadaka. The discussion revolved around the reality of corruption and the role of citizens in fighting corruption based on laws and in practice. We have the tools, what we need is the will of each citizen to use these tools and play a positive role in this fight.