Beirut to host U.N. conference on democracy in the Arab world

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Lebanon will host this month a U.N. conference on democracy in the Arab world, with a slew of high-level dignitaries, including U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, due to attend, organizers and Lebanese officials said Tuesday.

The two-day conference entitled “Reform and Transitions to Democracy” will be held January 15 and 16. It is organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Some 50 high-level Arab and international policymakers, academics and development experts have been invited to the meet but the list of those attending has not been finalized, organizers said.

“The aim of this meeting is to provide decisions-makers in emerging democracies in Arab countries with an opportunity to interact with leaders who encountered similar challenges during their countries’ transitions to democracy,” according to an outline of the conference obtained by AFP.

Officials from Poland, Argentina, Sierra Leone, Uruguay and other countries have been invited to speak.

Some of the themes that will be addressed will be how countries that have been part of the so-called Arab Spring can transition from autocracy to democracy, how to strengthen democratic institutions and how to reintegrate former combatants into society.

The U.N. chief, who will be visiting Lebanon next week to meet with officials and members of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), will be among the keynote speakers at the conference.

Al Arabiya

Photo: U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon. According to An Nahar newspaper he will raise the issue of the demarcation of the Lebanese borders with Syria during his visit as outlined in UN resolution 1680. The UN is reportedly planning on issuing a resolution on Syria and the UN chief may be interested in finding out during his visit whether Lebanon will participate in a UN sponsored monitoring team that will be sent to the embattled country following the approval of the resolution.

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14 responses to “Beirut to host U.N. conference on democracy in the Arab world”

  1. Sebouh80 Avatar

    Democracy sponsored by Imperialist powers and their useful tool has always been the infamous Muslim Brotherhood.

    What a farce.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      The farce, Sehbouh, is in what ‘man’ allows to be done to the concept.
      If people can learn to accept results of fair electoral processes, they could also learn how to better their lives, and will heed what they vote for in future – at least until life is so good they will get lazy and ignore the voting.

    2. I would like to know Sebouh who do you think should sponsor that is more appropriate in your estimation? What Nation any suggestions, knowing nobody is perfect but some more then others.

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Democracy sponsored by Imperialist powers and their useful tool has always been the infamous Muslim Brotherhood.

    What a farce.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      The farce, Sehbouh, is in what ‘man’ allows to be done to the concept.
      If people can learn to accept results of fair electoral processes, they could also learn how to better their lives, and will heed what they vote for in future – at least until life is so good they will get lazy and ignore the voting.

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      I would like to know Sebouh who do you think should sponsor that is more appropriate in your estimation? What Nation any suggestions, knowing nobody is perfect but some more then others.

  3. prophettt Avatar
    prophettt

    Sounds great to host such a meeting in Lebanon,but who would represent Lebanon, when our so called democracy is based on tribal and sectarian  rotten system ,which is filled with corruption? Will   emerging Arab democracies be urged to copycat the Lebanese experience?   I’d feel so sorry for them.
    Before We teach others how to transform their societies into  democratic ones, Lebanese should look in the mirror and admit that they need to reform their own system. Lebanon needs a transition into democracy,before it hosts such a meeting.Just because  we hold elections(and pay for votes),and  follow a system to transfer power to new leaderships, it does not mean we have  a democracy. The only reason Lebanese accept this is because no one is able to eliminate the other.It is the only  way to maintain the status quo.
    Just a reminder,every Lebanese cabinet requires the entire international community,and half the regional powers in order to be formed.Sadly, we still brag that we are a democrcati country. We believe our won lies.

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Sounds great to host such a meeting in Lebanon,but who would represent Lebanon, when our so called democracy is based on tribal and sectarian  rotten system ,which is filled with corruption? Will   emerging Arab democracies be urged to copycat the Lebanese experience?   I’d feel so sorry for them.
    Before We teach others how to transform their societies into  democratic ones, Lebanese should look in the mirror and admit that they need to reform their own system. Lebanon needs a transition into democracy,before it hosts such a meeting.Just because  we hold elections(and pay for votes),and  follow a system to transfer power to new leaderships, it does not mean we have  a democracy. The only reason Lebanese accept this is because no one is able to eliminate the other.It is the only  way to maintain the status quo.
    Just a reminder,every Lebanese cabinet requires the entire international community,and half the regional powers in order to be formed.Sadly, we still brag that we are a democrcati country. We believe our won lies.

  5. Beiruti Avatar

    Why should the conference be in Lebanon? Are we honestly a democratic symbol LOL 

    1. At least a step in the right direction, more positive then negative repercussions for Lebanon.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Yes. We might watch and learn too …..

  6.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Why should the conference be in Lebanon? Are we honestly a democratic symbol LOL 

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      At least a step in the right direction, more positive then negative repercussions for Lebanon.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        Yes. We might watch and learn too …..

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