Lebanon: between aspiration of changes and the ancient regime

Abstract

The Syrian refugee crisis, the 2019 riots, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, a deep institutional and financial crisis. In these last years Lebanon and Lebanese experienced extraordinary events which hugely aected both people and institutions. This report is exploring all these crisis dimensions with the aim of providing “food for thought” and contribute to the debate related to the immediate future of the country and therole that youth can eventually play. Thanks to the collaboration with Lebanese academicians and a well-structured field research performed in the country, authors have been able to present an unusual point of view with respect to some crucial issues that are affecting nowadays Lebanon: the resilience of the sectarian system, youths' aspirations for the future, new parties and movements aims and objectives and the “old regime” perspectives. This report represents a unique “document” containing unprecedent testimonies. A “document” which will be hopefully upscaled by other academicians for their future research; a first step towards the comprehension of complex phenomena that will interest Lebanon institutions and Lebanese lives in the forthcoming years. As no final answer is ready yet, it is necessary to continue to research for it and stimulate debate around urgent and critical issues. “Leaving” (Irhal) cannot be the only solution both for corrupt politicians neither for Lebanese youths.