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Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Audit and Accountability in Focus at AUB Panel on the Chehab Era and the Path Forward
The American University of Beirut (AUB) hosted a timely and thought-provoking panel discussion titled Audit and Accountability – The Chehab Era and the Path Forward, organized by the Fouad Chehab Foundation (FCF), and the AUB Good Governance and Citizenship Observatory (GGCO) housed at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship. Held on AUB's campus, the event brought together leading legal and governance experts to examine the institutions established under former President Fouad Chehab—bodies tasked with supervising public administration and enforcing accountability—and to explore their relevance to Lebanon's current challenges in governance and state event was moderated by Attorney of Law Amine Bachir and featured three distinguished panelists: Judge Georges Attieh, president of the Central Inspection Board; Court of Accounts Judge Elie Maalouf, professor at La Sagesse University; and Judge Rana Akoum, head of the Enforcement Court in Simon Kachar, founding and current director of GGCO, welcomed the panelists and attendees, and spoke about the timeliness of the panel and the growing momentum in Lebanon for governance and institutional reform. He noted that the collaboration with the Fouad Chehab Foundation reflects a shared commitment to linking the lessons of the past with the reform efforts of his recorded video message opening the event, AUB President Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri praised Chehab as 'one of the most important presidents Lebanon has known,' highlighting his commitment to the development of robust state institutions. 'We see today not only an opportunity to study the accomplishments, merits, and difficulties of the Chehab era,' Khuri stated, 'but also to apply what we learn from these studies to Lebanon's current reality.' He added that we must work toward building 'a state of institutions at a time when the Lebanese state is expressing its will and determination to reassert its authority across the country.'Khuri noted that the Chehab era was defined by the application of law and respect for institutions, a principle Lebanon has struggled to uphold since the onset of civil war, stating that enforcing the law and upholding institutional will are capabilities essential for restoring confidence in governance and rebuilding a viable of the Fouad Chehab Foundation Adel Hamiyeh reflected on the enduring values behind the foundation's work. He noted that President Chehab built institutions that were not only administrative and financial, but also social, cultural, and developmental in nature. Hamiyeh said, 'We decided to organize a series of panel discussions on the Chehabist experience, addressing topics such as governance, and involving universities, with the aim of introducing the Chehabist message to the younger generation—especially during this period marked by the optimism that accompanied the election of President Joseph Aoun, his delivery of the oath of office, and the subsequent formation of a distinguished government known for its competence and its promising ministerial statement. This has given us hope that this new era may resemble that of President Fouad Chehab in terms of restoring the authority and institutions of the state and returning to a natural foreign policy."The discussion unfolded in three parts: lessons learned from the Chehab era, the current state of institutional paralysis, and potential paths forward. The panelists discussed the rationale behind President Chehab's establishment of key institutions such as the Central Inspection, the Audit Bureau, and the Disciplinary Council. These bodies were conceived as independent mechanisms to promote transparency, discipline, and ethical governance across public administration. The discussion highlighted how these institutions once played a pivotal role in instilling accountability, protecting public resources, and professionalizing the civil service. The discussion also revisited the structural foundations that allowed these institutions to function with autonomy during the Chehab era, and considered the leadership decisions that helped insulate them from political conversation then moved to the contemporary state of these institutions, as the panel examined the range of factors that have contributed to their current dysfunction—including political encroachment, legal ambiguities, and insufficient staffing and funding. The panelists acknowledged that many of these bodies now face significant operational challenges, preventing them from fulfilling their original mandates. Despite this, there was recognition that these institutions still hold potential if revitalized with the appropriate structural and legal ahead, panelists reflected on potential reform pathways. They explored ideas such as enacting legal safeguards to enhance institutional independence, leveraging digital tools to modernize audit and inspection functions, and fostering closer collaboration between oversight bodies, the judiciary, and civil society actors. The discussion emphasized the importance of reestablishing credibility through transparent practices and rebuilding public confidence in Lebanon's governance the discussion, panelists revisited the core principles of the Chehab era—discipline, transparency, and institutional accountability—as potential foundations for Lebanon's future reform efforts. While acknowledging the serious structural and political challenges that remain, the conversation underscored the importance of rebuilding credible and independent institutions capable of advancing good governance and restoring public trust. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, during which attendees posed questions and shared reflections, enriching the conversation around the future of institutional reform in Lebanon.
Web Release
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Web Release
Panel Discussion at AUB Explores Lebanon's Presidential Elections and Statehood Aspirations Through the Lens of Chehabism
Hof: 'I think the life, the experience, and the leadership of President Fouad Chehab can provide inspiration and guidance' The Good Governance and Citizenship Observatory (GGCO) at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship, at the American University of Beirut (AUB), recently hosted a webinar titled 'Lebanon's Presidential Elections and Statehood Aspirations: Revisiting Chehabism.' Opening the session, Dr. Simon A. Kachar, founding director of GGCO at AUB, set the stage by highlighting that, 'the political landscape of Lebanon has long been characterized by a delicate balance of sectarian interests and institutional dysfunction. In light of the election of President Joseph Aoun, this panel will engage with the potential for state-building and governance reform in the country,' he said. 'Central to this exploration is the legacy of late President Fouad Chehab and his vision of a unified, law-abiding nation during his presidency between 1958 and 1964, commonly referred to as Chehabism.' Dr. Kachar emphasized that President Aoun's inaugural address 'echoed a vision of urgent reform, emphasizing the need for a citizenship-based approach to governance, a departure from Lebanon's entrenched sectarian political system.' He explained that the panel's purpose was to explore whether Lebanon can realistically overcome its systemic dysfunction and advance toward genuine institutional reform. The discussion featured two distinguished panelists: Frederic C. Hof, senior fellow at Bard College's Center for Civic Engagement, and Lamia Moubayed, president of the Institute of Finance Basil Fuleihan. 'This is a very tough time for Lebanon,' said Moubayed, 'although with the prospects of the election of President Aoun and the new prime minister and government in place, the hopes and expectations are high.' She raised a critical question: Can President Aoun's vision of a unified and law-abiding nation be translated into concrete reforms and action, given the economic, financial, and social crises Lebanon is emerging from, as well as deeply entrenched political resistance? Moubayed also questioned how Fouad Chehab's legacy might be leveraged to rebuild public trust and mobilize the necessary resources to overcome the country's dire situation. Hof expressed cautious optimism, 'I am very hopeful that Lebanon under new leadership is moving in a new and positive direction,' he stated. 'I think the life, the experience, and the leadership of President Fouad Chehab can provide inspiration and guidance in the difficult years to come.' He added, 'Lebanon seems at the moment to have good leadership. But that leadership currently lacks the resources needed to produce significant results on the ground.' Hof stressed that the new government faces the monumental task of rebuilding from scratch. 'This government needs to start from zero, after decades of corruption, cronyism, and incompetence. No doubt there are some very capable and decent civil servants, despite a system that doesn't recruit or promote based on merit.' He noted the deterioration and chronic underfunding of Lebanon's civil service as well as the state's failure to deliver basic services. 'These things will not be corrected overnight,' he said, adding that Lebanese voters will expect tangible progress in areas like economic recovery, post-war reconstruction, and essential services. 'Financial resources will be needed, but having the right people in the right administrative positions is also crucial.' The panel also delved into the qualities of principled public leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity, competence, and a spirit of public service. Discussions explored the need to reengage technical expertise across vital sectors. One recommendation emphasized the value of direct communication between the country's leadership and the public. 'If we revisit the principles of Chehabism, and critically analyze the strategies that he put in place, we see that this is what he did. He tried to instill trust again,' Moubayed said, in response to Hof's point on how today's president and prime minister might use platforms such as social media to demonstrate their integrity and communicate a clear governance agenda and plan directly to the people of Lebanon. The conversation also highlighted the importance of both modernizing and reforming existing institutions—and creating new ones with a forward-looking outlook—capable of attracting fresh talent and funding. Another crucial topic was Lebanon's relationship with the international community. The panel questioned what tools Lebanon could use to re-engage international stakeholders and development institutions, particularly as past attempts to solicit international financial support have been met with reluctance. The panel explored what kind of narrative Lebanon must project to regain the confidence of the international community including financial institutions. The discussion also touched on Lebanon's geopolitical challenges, including ongoing instability along its southern border and the situation on its northern and eastern borders with Syria. These challenges, panelists noted, add significant complexity to Lebanon's path forward. In a broader context, the panel reflected on global dynamics, including the rise in violent conflicts and growing concerns over the erosion of multilateralism. In this climate, the panelists considered how Lebanon might still pursue an agenda of peace and sustainable development. The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists.
National News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
Panel Discussion at AUB Explores Lebanon's Presidential Elections and Statehood Aspirations Through the Lens of Chehabism
NNA - The Good Governance and Citizenship Observatory (GGCO) at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship, at the American University of Beirut (AUB), recently hosted a webinar titled "Lebanon's Presidential Elections and Statehood Aspirations: Revisiting Chehabism." Opening the session, Dr. Simon A. Kachar, founding director of GGCO at AUB, set the stage by highlighting that, "the political landscape of Lebanon has long been characterized by a delicate balance of sectarian interests and institutional dysfunction. In light of the election of President Joseph Aoun, this panel will engage with the potential for state-building and governance reform in the country," he said. "Central to this exploration is the legacy of late President Fouad Chehab and his vision of a unified, law-abiding nation during his presidency between 1958 and 1964, commonly referred to as Chehabism." Dr. Kachar emphasized that President Aoun's inaugural address "echoed a vision of urgent reform, emphasizing the need for a citizenship-based approach to governance, a departure from Lebanon's entrenched sectarian political system." He explained that the panel's purpose was to explore whether Lebanon can realistically overcome its systemic dysfunction and advance toward genuine institutional reform. The discussion featured two distinguished panelists: Frederic C. Hof, senior fellow at Bard College's Center for Civic Engagement, and Lamia Moubayed, president of the Institute of Finance Basil Fuleihan. "This is a very tough time for Lebanon," said Moubayed, "although with the prospects of the election of President Aoun and the new prime minister and government in place, the hopes and expectations are high." She raised a critical question: Can President Aoun's vision of a unified and law-abiding nation be translated into concrete reforms and action, given the economic, financial, and social crises Lebanon is emerging from, as well as deeply entrenched political resistance? Moubayed also questioned how Fouad Chehab's legacy might be leveraged to rebuild public trust and mobilize the necessary resources to overcome the country's dire situation. Hof expressed cautious optimism, "I am very hopeful that Lebanon under new leadership is moving in a new and positive direction," he stated. "I think the life, the experience, and the leadership of President Fouad Chehab can provide inspiration and guidance in the difficult years to come." He added, "Lebanon seems at the moment to have good leadership. But that leadership currently lacks the resources needed to produce significant results on the ground." Hof stressed that the new government faces the monumental task of rebuilding from scratch. "This government needs to start from zero, after decades of corruption, cronyism, and incompetence. No doubt there are some very capable and decent civil servants, despite a system that doesn't recruit or promote based on merit." He noted the deterioration and chronic underfunding of Lebanon's civil service as well as the state's failure to deliver basic services. "These things will not be corrected overnight," he said, adding that Lebanese voters will expect tangible progress in areas like economic recovery, post-war reconstruction, and essential services. "Financial resources will be needed, but having the right people in the right administrative positions is also crucial." The panel also delved into the qualities of principled public leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity, competence, and a spirit of public service. Discussions explored the need to reengage technical expertise across vital sectors. One recommendation emphasized the value of direct communication between the country's leadership and the public. "If we revisit the principles of Chehabism, and critically analyze the strategies that he put in place, we see that this is what he did. He tried to instill trust again," Moubayed said, in response to Hof's point on how today's president and prime minister might use platforms such as social media to demonstrate their integrity and communicate a clear governance agenda and plan directly to the people of Lebanon. The conversation also highlighted the importance of both modernizing and reforming existing institutions—and creating new ones with a forward-looking outlook—capable of attracting fresh talent and funding. Another crucial topic was Lebanon's relationship with the international community. The panel questioned what tools Lebanon could use to re-engage international stakeholders and development institutions, particularly as past attempts to solicit international financial support have been met with reluctance. The panel explored what kind of narrative Lebanon must project to regain the confidence of the international community including financial institutions. The discussion also touched on Lebanon's geopolitical challenges, including ongoing instability along its southern border and the situation on its northern and eastern borders with Syria. These challenges, panelists noted, add significant complexity to Lebanon's path forward. In a broader context, the panel reflected on global dynamics, including the rise in violent conflicts and growing concerns over the erosion of multilateralism. In this climate, the panelists considered how Lebanon might still pursue an agenda of peace and sustainable development. The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists.
