ENGAGING THE LEBANESE DIASPORA

UNCLAS BEIRUT 001041 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP BTIO EAID EINV OEXC PGOV PHUM PREL SCUL SMIG, TSPL, KMPI, LE SUBJECT: ENGAGING THE LEBANESE DIASPORA REF: STATE 86401 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. The Lebanese diaspora is a large and diverse global community with an estimated population of at least twelve million, three times that of Lebanon itself. The bulk of the diaspora is centered in the Western hemisphere, with the largest population in Latin America. The remittances from this successful community provide some six billion dollars per year to the Lebanese economy and have been key to rebuilding a nation frequently shattered by strife. In addition to foreign direct investment and business ties, diaspora charitable organizations are directly involved in reconstruction, de-mining and aid programs. Lebanese living overseas also often maintain connections to their religious sect and political affiliation, and these ties are most pronounced among those residing in the Middle East and North Africa. Embassy Beirut is currently involved in several projects that mobilize and engage this successful community. End summary. A SUCCESSFUL AND DIVERSE DIASPORA -------------- ¶2. Since the early migrations of the Phoenicians, Lebanon has sent a steady stream of emigrants into the diaspora. Although modern Lebanese society contains significant populations of Christians, Sunnis and Shias, in addition to other smaller communities, emigration patterns have not affected all communities equally. Today, the Lebanese diaspora may be broadly characterized by the two waves of emigration that formed it: forced migration of Christians during the Ottoman era and more recent waves of Muslim emigrants, who tend to be "earn and return" migrants. ¶3. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, religious and economic persecution led to massive emigration, predominantly by Christians, most of whom settled in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. This first wave of emigration formed the basis for the prominent Lebanese diaspora in the Western hemisphere. Descendants of Lebanese immigrants have served as presidents and prime ministers in Latin America and members of Congress in the United States. Numerous successful businessmen, entrepreneurs and entertainers are also descendants of this generation, and they are marked by their full assimilation within their host culture. Using the most conservative estimates and definitions for Lebanese diaspora, regional breakdowns are as follows: some 8.5 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, with nearly 6 million in Brazil alone; another 2.5 million in the United States; 300,000 more in Canada; 500,000 in each of Europe and Australia/New Zealand; 300,000 in the MENA region; 100,000 in Africa; and perhaps 10,000 more across all of Asia. ¶4. In the wake of the civil war that wracked Lebanon from 1975-89, a new wave of emigrants left Lebanon to seek work in the MENA region. These emigrants tend to be "earn and return" workers who regularly move across borders as opportunities shift. Skilled Lebanese, including doctors, scientists, dentists, lawyers and accountants, are in high demand in the Arab world and command much higher salaries abroad than at home. The resulting brain drain undermines the local economy as these professionals flee Lebanon's corrupt and inept government and limited economic opportunity. THE TIES THAT BIND: BUSINESSES, BUCKS AND BALLOTS -------------- -------------- ¶5. The Lebanese diaspora represents significant wealth, vital remittances, and a potentially invaluable resource for financial and political involvement. Even into the second and third generations, Lebanese maintain their ties to their homeland through business, political and social organizations, as well as through on-line forums. Remittances, which total some $6 billion annually, contribute a staggering 20% of GDP and pass directly into local communities and businesses through kinship ties. Contributions by wealthy expatriate Lebanese to charities, universities, and foreign direct investment are also vital to the health of the economy. Thousands returned to Lebanon to vote in the June 2009 parliamentary elections thanks to the financial support of local political parties or their overseas branches. ¶6. Several private organizations try to harness the energy and resources of Lebanese expatriates to develop Lebanon. For example, the Lebanese International Business Associations, Network (LIBAN),established in 2000, focuses on enabling Lebanese entrepreneurs to succeed in Lebanon. The network sponsors programs aimed shoring up Lebanon's entrepreneurial base by urging young expatriate Lebanese to return home to work in start-up and technology ventures. The Lebanese Emigration Research Center (LERC),an academic initiative of Notre Dame University (NDU) Beirut, does research and reporting on the diaspora as well as conducting outreach programs. The center is the direct result of NDU,s desire to attract Lebanese emigrants, contributions and foster research in global identity, ancestral roots and genealogical heritage. ¶7. The Lebanese diaspora also contributes substantially to charities involved in social welfare, many of which sprang up in the aftermath of the 2006 war. One example is the Lebanese American Alliance, which provides scholarship funds for needy Lebanese students to attend the American University of Beirut and the University of Balamand. The alliance also donated funds to clinics and hospitals in Lebanon and has sent medical supplies valuing more than $5 million. Similarly, the Lebanese Information Center provided assistance to families in Lebanon facing hardship. Another organization is the American Task Force for Lebanon, which raises funds for de-mining and other humanitarian issues. Lebanese expatriates also contribute significant funds to charities related to their church or mosque. LEBANESE GOVERNMENT FAILS TO TAP THE DIASPORA'S POTENTIAL -------------- ¶8. The Lebanese government's initiatives toward the diaspora, headed by the foreign ministry, have been sorely lacking. There is no organized government campaign or outreach to interface with members of the diaspora, and Lebanese expatriates are hindered from obtaining basic consular services abroad because Lebanese diplomatic posts are seriously underfunded and understaffed. The government has nonetheless made some efforts. In late December 2008 the telecommunications ministry sponsored a conference entitled "Telecom for Lebanon - Tapping the Diaspora." The conference attracted about 30 expatriate Lebanese telecommunications experts who shared their knowledge on telecommunications liberalization and discussed the ministry,s policy paper for medium and long-term development of the sector. A committee of local and expatriate experts was established to follow up on the conference recommendations and to organize similar gatherings in the future. The MEPI-supported Youth Shadow Government also has a diaspora outreach office. DIASPORA PROJECTS AND EMBASSY BEIRUT -------------- ¶9. Embassy Beirut has initiated several projects aimed at tapping the potential of the diaspora. For example, the USAID-funded project "Profiling Expatriate Prospects for Local Development Partnership" empowers Lebanese municipalities by creating a database of Lebanese living abroad who are interested in establishing economic partnerships with their home villages. Over 150 emigrants have already contributed or are willing to contribute to their villages, economic development. The project will spread to cover an additional 115 villages in addition to the initial 15 communities supported to date. Another MEPI-assisted program, Teach for Lebanon (TFL),is an initiative that aims to keep the country's top graduates at home while improving educational levels. The project recruits university graduates to serve as teachers in disadvantaged primary schools, thus giving them an opportunity to support the disadvantaged while becoming more vested in their home communities. The American non-profit Act for Lebanon has also provided funding to TFL. COMMENT -------------- ¶10. The Lebanese diaspora, while enormous and varied, reflects the tribal and sectarian nature of Lebanese society. While ties to it, both economic and social, are essential to Lebanon's future, the Lebanese government has failed to take the initiative in harnessing the diaspora's resources. While the embassy does not have the necessary staff or facilities to launch a major outreach to the diaspora, we will continue to seek out projects for MEPI and USAID that can leverage the potential of the diaspora to develop Lebanon. With the approximately 3-to-1 ratio of Lebanese expatriates to resident Lebanese citizens, the potential for foreign direct investment, micro-enterprise finance and civil society work is enormous. End comment. ¶11. In response to reftel request, our point of contact for diaspora issues is Derrin R. Smith (Political Section). SISON