BYBLOS: “I am going home with a very positive impression of Lebanon; it is very different to the preconceptions that people in Europe can hold,” said Johan Enochsson, a Swedish delegate visiting Lebanon as part of a Lebanese Forces Student Association cultural exchange program.
Now in its second year, the “Crossing the Boundaries” convention, which concluded on Monday, brought together future political leaders from across Europe, the US and Australia to Lebanon to learn more about Lebanon’s history, culture and politics.
During their four-day stay delegates met with top politicians and academics including Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
“We want Lebanon to act as a bridge between East and West that it has always been,” said Wissam Habchi, Lebanese Forces (LF) department of foreign affairs chairman. “People are surprised when they come here and see that Lebanon is like Europe – more like Europe in some cases – but the Lebanese are well educated, smart, open and successful.
“There is a very bad impression in the Western media which only talks about the conflict, the militias and the Palestinian problem but it is not just like this, there is a good and beautiful side to Lebanon,” he added. “It is our duty to change this image and make people see the whole picture.”
Working in alliance with the Democratic Youth Community of Europe (DEMYC), the international umbrella organization of the youth wings of the Christian Democratic and Conservative parties, the LF managed to attract delegates from 27 different countries.
Israeli-Lebanese relations, the level of Christian influence in Lebanon, the need for greater national unity and the imperative of fostering a stronger Lebanese state, all featured prominently in discussions.
Foreign delegates also learnt about social problems in Lebanon, the challenges faced by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the “threat” to stability caused by non-state actors.
Because of alleged security concerns, the trip did not include any excursions to the south of the country, and delegates were warned against venturing to certain parts of Beirut.
“It was a big surprise for me to learn how weak the Lebanese Army is, it is totally unheard of in Europe for an army to not be able to control the whole territory,” said Enochsson, who heads the youth foreign relations department of the Sweden’s ruling Christian Democratic Party. “But the situation is different and complicated and one has to become aware of that.
“The program was pretty balanced, but, of course, you have to take these things with a pinch of salt and know that there are always two sides to a story,” he added.
While these parties tend to be right wing and pro-Israeli, the youth element within them is increasingly keen to branch out and foster better links with the rest of the Middle East.
“I came last year not fully knowing what to expect but I have been back four times since and I fully encouraged more people to addend this year,” said Democratic Youth Community of Europe chairman Jani Johansson. “With the growing wealth in the Gulf and the Middle East playing a more central role in international politics it is very important that the region becomes better understood and that more people from Europe learn about its many complexities, but also its many good points.”