Our Vision

Minteshreen aims to redefine the political culture in Lebanon, as a catalyst for change, through initiatives and projects revolving around 8 main pillars

The Pillars Of Change

Actual change demands that we strive to build a new participatory political culture centered around constructive ideas not destructive sectarian identities, around programs that aspire to development not reactionary fanaticism, around citizen rights, not sectarian rights.

Our projects and initiatives are aimed at planting the seeds of this new political culture by focusing on eight primary prillars: Addressing the structural defect in democratic practice, strengthening good governance, working towards developing a new social contract, building a productive and sustainable economy, supporting Lebanese youth, preserving our cultural and environmental heritage, and working towards establishing an independent and autonomous judiciary.

Democracy

In Minteshreen, we aim to address and reform the structural defect in democratic practice by launching a series of initiatives and projects that promote participation, secure fair representation, perpetuate the citizenship narrative, and encourage dialogue and constructive debate between citizens.

Governance

In Minteshreen, we aim to promote good governance in the public sector, by launching a series of initiatives and projects that enhance the effective management of institutions, departments and public interests, and push towards the adoption of expanded administrative decentralization.

Economy

In Minteshreen, we aim to spread the culture of a productive and sustainable economy and allow for the participation of citizens in the preparation of state and local administration budgets.

Society

In Minteshreen, we aim to open a serious and constructive discussion between all societal groups with the aim of establishing a new social contract.

Civic Education and Youth

In Minteshreen, we aim to support the youth of Lebanon, and to motivate and encourage them to stay in their homeland and contribute to building a modern state, by ensuring the broadest youth participation in political life, and by establishing consulting and guidance platforms, student networks and community centers.

Culture

In Minteshreen, we aim to preserve and develop our cultural heritage by supporting initiatives that celebrate cultural diversity, activating touristic activities, and reviving the public spaces that the people reclaimed on October 17th.

Environment

In Minteshreen, we aim to preserve and enhance our environmental heritage by supporting initiatives aimed at protecting green spaces, activating sustainable solutions for waste, and developing projects aimed at adopting alternative energy resources.

Judiciary

In Minteshreen, we aim to establish justice and the rule of law by working to liberate the judiciary, ensuring its autonomy and independence, and educating citizens about their rights

Contribute to Minteshreen

Support our people-powered movement.

Donate to the cause now!

CONTRIBUTE

Democracy

Lebanon is a state whose rule is democratic on paper, but not in practice. Democracy literally means “the rule of the people,” and it is a type of government in which all citizens participate on an equal footing in exercising their civil rights, either directly or through their elected representatives chosen to manage the affairs of the country -the case in Lebanon. Thus, one of the pillars of indirect democracy is the active participation of citizens in political life, a participation ensured by correct and fair representation and aiming to establish a governance approach that works in the interest of the nation and its citizens.

A- Participation

Stimulating the involvement of Lebanese citizens in politics, by launching a series of debates and discussions that address the nature of the political system that we aspire to create, as well as our vision for the role of the state we strive to build
Defining the concept of the civil state from a theoretical and practical perspective, to raise political awareness and to eliminate any confusion related to this concept

B- Representation

Organizing educational seminars that detail the proposed electoral laws and their ability to secure fair nonsectarian representation
Volunteering to monitor the elections, in cooperation with the relevant associations and organizations, to ensure their integrity and transparency
Spreading awareness about the concept of the “popular referendum” and the importance of this tool in reinforcing democratic practices

C- The Citizenship Narrative

Defining the concept of citizenship in a practical and simplified manner.
Spreading the concept of citizenship through educational and awareness campaigns, presenting its benefits to society - in contrast with the disadvantages of the sectarian narrative

D- The Culture of Dialogue and Debate

Developing a culture of debate by creating spaces and platforms for dialogue that go beyond the identity narrative to include economic, social, cultural and other topics
Establishing the “People’s Parliament”, which would allow for the widest participation of citizens in transparent, informative, and constructive discussions

Governance

The principle of good governance in the public sector revolves around the proper management of institutions, which requires the respect of the rule of law, the separation of powers, the activation of oversight and regulatory bodies, and the enhancement of productivity and efficiency in public administration. In addition, the development of good governance on the level of local authorities demands the implementation of administrative decentralization, which guarantees transparency and accountability.

A- Governance in Institutions

Lobbying to reinforce the principle of separation of powers, by supporting proposals of civil society laws that ensure that the work of the executive, legislative and judicial authorities does not overlap
Reinforcing good governance by supporting proposals of civil society laws, which ensure the elimination of wasteful spending and enhance the productivity of human resources in ministries, departments and public administrations
Organizing seminars aimed at enhancing people's knowledge of the constitution, and highlighting the ways on which the political class has violated the constitution and deprived the constitutional institutions of their powers

B- Decentralization

Demanding the approval of the administrative decentralization law prepared by the committee formed according to Resolution No. 166/2012, in a way that guarantees granting district councils expanded executive, administrative and financial powers
Preparing a simple and useful presentation to explain the decentralization law in a scientific and simplified manner, studying the mechanisms of its application as well as its practical effects, and disseminating this information through the media and the party's electronic platforms
Launching sustainable projects - in cooperation with municipalities - aimed at improving basic services such as water, electricity, waste management and others

Economy

Lebanon is suffering from the effects of a severe economic and banking collapse, and one of the main causes of this collapse – and one of the aspects of the rampant corruption - is its rentier economy model, which was reinforced by impaired financial and banking policies, the persistence of banks in lending the state treasury with depositors' money, and unregulated and wasteful spending.

In Minteshreen, we aim to spread the culture of a productive and sustainable economy and allow for the participation of citizens in the preparation of state and local administration budgets.

A- Productive Economy and Sustainable Development

Spreading awareness about the benefits of a productive economy and the importance of supporting marginalized productive sectors such as agriculture and industry
Launching campaigns to support productive sectors stalled by the crisis, by marketing their products locally or abroad
Launching campaigns and initiatives to support the creative, technological and digital sectors to develop the knowledge and creative economy
Developing economic and social initiatives based on social enterprises that encourage sustainable development and create job opportunities in local communities and neighborhoods

B- Capacity and Skills Development

Launching specialized workshops aimed at developing individual capacities and skills in marginalized communities

C- Sustainable neighborhoods

Developing and supporting social and economic initiatives aimed at developing local communities
Supporting companies, institutions and medium and small enterprises in neighborhoods by providing free consulting services

D- Participatory Budgeting

Spreading awareness about the concept of participatory budgeting, which allows citizens to express their views on spending priorities and determine how the taxpayer money is spent
Lobbying towards adopting the concept of participatory budgeting, especially at the level of Parliament (the general budget) and local administrations

Society

The concept of the modern state consists of individuals gathered around a solid social contract, far from sectarianism and narrow societal intricacies. It also allows the individual to develop and prosper within a state that believes in and guarantees social justice.

In Minteshreen, we aim to open a serious and constructive discussion between all societal groups with the aim of establishing a new social contract through:

Launching workshops and seminars in cities and rural areas aimed at opening a serious and constructive discussion centering on the importance of consensus on a new social contract based on sound foundations
Launching workshops centered on the civil state and the importance of implementing it as an entry point towards a secular one under a new social contract

Civic Education and Youth

Young people represent the most important wealth that any country can possess and investing in this wealth is of great importance and has an immense impact on the economic, societal and democratic levels. Underestimating the importance of investing in Lebanese youth, especially in light of the severe economic crisis, exposes this vital group to threats that can have severe and long-term negative consequences.

A- Youth participation

Launching workshops centering on the importance of political participation and the best ways to activate it in youth circles
Organizing a series of lectures and panel discussions aimed at political education
Forming youth lobbying groups whose goal is to pressure Parliament into lowering the voting age to 18 years

B- Counseling resources

Organizing technical workshops to help young people develop their skills through the help of specialists in various technical fields
Organizing academic guidance programs to assist students in choosing specializations fit for their skills and capacities, and suitable for the labor market

C- A Community Youth Center

This center offers activities that include:

Community interaction that allows youth to benefit from the exchange of experience and skills
Providing courses that are not offered by the current approved curricula, especially in the following fields:
- Entrepreneurship
- Robotics / Coding
- Arts and Culture
- Financial Management
- Sexual Education
- Mental Health & Life Skills

D- Student Network

Establishing a solidarity network of young people, one that brings together local and expatriate Lebanese students on the one hand, and on the other hand donors and investors whose goal is to support students' needs (private lessons, installments, housing, jobs, financing for entrepreneurial projects, etc.)
Launching academic exchange programs between resident and expatriate Lebanese students, in cooperation with the Lebanese diaspora
Supporting the student bodies in universities in their lobbying efforts towards improving university life

Culture

One of the foundations of a strong society is its ability to nurture and spread its culture. Lebanon has made its mark in many cultural, artistic and creative fields, thus occupying a pioneering position that must be both preserved and empowered. Lebanon is also a country of rich and deep-rooted tourism that should be invested in, preserved and promoted both at home and abroad.

A- Tourism and Cultural Diversity

Identifying struggling cultural institutions, companies and tourism businesses, and working to launch activities that stimulate their business and help restore their financial health
Launching initiatives to promote tourism and cultural activities, in cooperation with municipalities and local authorities
Launching cultural and sports activities in cooperation with local authorities, civil organizations and associations

B- Culture in Public Spaces

Organizing cultural gatherings and activities in public spaces
Organizing free festivities and public events of a cultural nature

C- Supporting Cultural Works

Communicating with donors and investors locally and abroad to support and finance Lebanese cultural works
Reviving the Lebanese cultural heritage of cinema, music, and other artistic and cultural works, by organizing shows in public and private spaces locally or in cooperation with the Lebanese diaspora abroad

Environment

The ruling political class has sought to exploit the Lebanese natural resources and establish random projects with the aim of accumulating wealth at the expense of the environment.

A- Waste Management and Recycling Initiatives

Launching an awareness campaign to spread the culture of recycling and highlighting its material and environmental benefits
Supporting civil society organizations and associations involved with recycling, and helping them communicate with citizens and joining forces with local authorities interested in adopting this model
Launching an initiative to develop local fertilizers from organic waste, working on producing them locally instead of importing them
Establishing platforms aimed at supporting recycling industries and businesses

B- Protecting Public Green Spaces

Organizing visits to nature reserves in Lebanon to enhance awareness of the importance of green spaces as well as ways to preserve them
Cooperating with the relevant groups, associations and local authorities to define green areas that must be converted into natural reserves, and work on pressuring lawmakers to pass laws that allow work in this direction
Launching reforestation campaigns in various Lebanese regions, especially those affected by seasonal fires
Monitoring the actions of the Lebanese state and municipalities, as well as highlighting their environmental violations and working to hold those responsible accountable for their actions
Launching campaigns aimed at establishing, restoring, and protecting public parks in cities, and working to provide the necessary funding for these initiatives

C- Alternative Energy Projects

Launching awareness campaigns to educate about energy consumption
Launching awareness campaigns aimed at emphasizing the benefits of moving from relying on fossil energy towards alternative energy sources
Launching initiatives in cooperation with local authorities to motivate citizens to use solar energy, and secure the necessary funding for these initiatives through Lebanese and international donors

D- Preserving Water Resources

Launching awareness campaigns to educate about water consumption
Cooperating with the relevant groups, associations and local authorities to identify the networks of abandoned underground wells and work to secure sources of funding for their restoration
Supporting initiatives aimed at cleaning beaches and rivers

Judiciary

Justice, in all democratic systems, is one of the most important principles that must be achieved for the success of government. And justice requires that the law prevails above all in relations between individuals on the one hand, and between the government and its citizens on the other hand. In Lebanon, justice is relative and selective, designed to serve the interest of those who control it.

In Minteshreen, we aim to establish justice and the rule of law by working to liberate the judiciary, ensuring its autonomy and independence, and educating citizens about their rights through:

Strengthening cooperation and activating communication between the Judges Association, the Bar Association and legal/human rights organizations, to support existing initiatives and create new joint initiatives aimed at passing the law on the independence of the judiciary
Creating initiatives to inform people of their rights, as well as how to claim and protect them
Launching awareness campaigns targeting specific economic sectors and communities, to highlight their rights and empower citizens to support and protect them
Cooperating with the Bar Association to enable citizens across all regions to access free legal services that are currently only provided by the Beirut and Tripoli Syndicates