TAG #

Organization

Project Description

31

In Cooperation with Ministry of Finance

Producing and distributing a user-friendly citizen guide on income tax declaration for members of five well-organized syndicates (medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, lawyers and engineers), and having info uploaded on web site.

30

Student House Sportive and Social

Raising the awareness of 300 youth on T&A issues by taking them into local administration offices, explaining administrative procedures, and allowing the students to question local officials about these issues.  Outputs of the project are 1000 posters, 300 T-shirts and flyers distributed around the Mohafaza of Nabatieh.

29

Omar Farhat

Addressed a newly amended on criminal procedures law to help the public better understand their basic rights under this law. An initial survey was conducted to assess public awareness and concerns about the law. A brochure was produced with legal expertise provided by noted local attorney Walid Nakib, and 176,000 copies were distributed containing the essential basic information and frequently asked questions. In addition, a call center (LibanCall 1467) was established to offer the public an interactive communication system.  A follow-up survey was conducted once the call center became operational.

28

Fuad Mrad

Developed a project to focus on professional engineering ethics in Lebanon. They produced instruction materials, exercises, and local case studies related to professional engineering ethics, and published a professional reference book. With these materials, they conducted seminars and workshops for engineering students at five universities in Lebanon and for practicing engineers at the Order of Engineers in Beirut. A related website was developed to make these materials available to interested engineers and the public-at-large.

27

Shoun Jonoubiyah

Launched a monthly magazine, “Shu’un Janoubiyah”,  that was the first magazine in Lebanon to focus exclusively on South Lebanon, in terms of local development problems and issues, the effect of issues related to transparency and accountability upon local development, municipal council issues and performance, and administrative reform

26

American Lebanese
Chamber of Commerce

Launched a transparency and accountability awareness campaign for the business community and private sector. A study was undertaken initially, including desk research, focus groups and interviews of key public and private sector leaders, to identify problems faced in the business community and to propose recommendations. A public seminar for leading business and government officials was organized to discuss these issues, and a Code of Practice that could be adopted by members of the business community was established and published

25

The Social and Cultural Association in Deir Kifa

Organized a series of eight public lectures on transparency and accountability in different sectors and topics, such as corruption, the role of media, the role of NGOs, public policies, public projects, local municipal elections, public finances, and human rights. The target audience was residents of  Deir Kifa, the city of Tyre, and those of the surrounding villages.

24

SAWA  Group

Compiled, printed, and distributed 14,000 copies of a citizens’ guide in the Baalbek-Hermel region. The guide provided detailed instructions and sample forms for dealing with 14 public transactions related to personal status, such as birth certificates, national identification cards, marriage documents, passports, death documents, and inheritance documents. The guide was advertised through posters and billboards, and then distributed to citizens in local municipal and government offices.

23

Tomorrow's Advice

Developed a documentary list of main dangerous drugs banned and withdrawn in international markets and identified their market status in Lebanon in order to heighten consumer awareness vis-à-vis the health risks.  The documentary list was disseminated to stakeholders, consumers, and other interested parties on the internet via a website designed for this project: www.drugawoid.com.  The list was also published in book format for distribution to concerned public officials, professionals, orders, non-governmental organizations, private health providers, and related international organizations

22

In Cooperation with Ministry of Finance

Developed  user-friendly pamphlets for the public on inheritance and land registration procedures, key transactions conducted at the Ministry of Finance that are important for all citizens. After thorough research of all relevant regulations, 30,000 guides were produced --along with promotional posters--and distributed nationwide. The pamphlets list the documentation needed, fees, time for completion and penalties for delays; raise citizens’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities; and promote an environment of transparency at the concerned departments

21

Ad-Dawaer newspaper

Added twelve special weekly supplements focused on transparency and accountability as an indispensable tool for the creation of a civic culture and society.  Each supplement focused on a particular issue, on such diverse topics as the environment, municipal work, child labor, municipal elections, governmental and NGO practices, political parties, the penal system, public safety laws, criminal procedures law, and the lack of urban planning

20

Lebanese Transparency Association

Invited Member of Parliament Boutros Harb to participate in the Arab regional workshop of the 10th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Prague in October 2001. The IACC is the key international anti-corruption event on the international level. LTA participated in the organization of the workshop and coordinated the Lebanese delegation to Prague. Harb presented a paper on corruption in Lebanon and the activities and nature of the National Integrity Steering Committee (NISC), of which he is a member

19

CDP In Cooperation with the Ministry of Environment

Developed adequate information systems to improve citizens’ interaction with the Ministry’s various departments. Working together, he and the Ministry officials developed a comprehensive and integrated information system including proper signage, bulletin boards, development of pamphlets covering the six transactions available at the Ministry, and a citizen complaint system. When all of these activities were completed, the new information was uploaded on the Ministry website, and information packages were distributed to the 750 local municipalities to improve understanding about the respective roles of municipal governments and the Ministry on environmental issues.

18

Lebanese Council of Women 

Produced a board game, CORRUPTION (FASSAD in Arabic), focused on helping Lebanese youth understand the concepts of good governance, corruption, transparency, and accountability.  In the game, youth play as the municipal officials of their village. In having a chance to symbolically run and develop two municipalities, and by competing to be the most transparent and accountable in building your village, children learn about the downfalls of corruption in a fun but educational manner.

17

National Association for the Rights of Disabled People in Lebanon

Conducted nine regional training seminars for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media representatives on transparency and accountability for NGO’s and the media. Following the seminars, it published a documentary file in its magazine, “Echo of Disabled People,” distributed to 2,000 NGOs, Lebanese civil society institutions, and decision-makers. A booklet including all seminar presentations and other details was published.

16

Jounieh Municipality Friends                                            In Cooperation with Municipality of Jounieh

Organized several forums on diverse local issues to enable citizens and municipal council members to address these concerns together. Targeted audiences included NGO’s; scouts; bankers; engineers; school students, teachers and principals; municipal council employees and presidents from the Kesrwan region; members of Lion’s and Rotary Clubs, among others. The municipality's homepage was developed and updated to enhance citizens' access to information about the activities of the Municipality of Jounieh and to provide feedback on local decision-making

15

In cooperation with
Ministry of Finance

Worked with the Cadastre department of the Ministry of Finance to effect policy reform by developing a draft law to allow digital maps and automated procedures which are being introduced to have the necessary legal status and guarantees as the existing paper maps.  A set of executive decrees that provide for digital map drafting, authentication and security were drafted and the appropriate guidelines to handle errors and to mitigate against any potential problems were developed.

14

Youth
Association for
Social Awareness

Launched a two-way communication project targeting traffic police and the public. This was done through a series of training sessions for 2000 newly-recruited Internal Security Force (ISF) members on how to properly apply the rules and regulations in their daily interaction with the public, and a training of trainers session for senior ISF officials. In addition, YASA published and distributed 180,000 brochures and 4,500 posters to inform the general public about their rights and the means to redress any traffic-related grievances.

13

Forum For
Parliamentary
Dialogue

Established a support unit to provide NGOs with the required administrative, financial, and legal expertise to ensure proper implementation of current laws and to attempt to contribute towards amending outdated laws regarding NGO’s in Lebanon. While there are existing laws to grant specific rights to NGOs, in practice these laws are not always applied properly by various governmental bodies. Because of this uneven application of the laws, the NGO Support Unit of FFPD is working to equip NGOs, especially community-based organizations, with the necessary knowledge, references, and technical assistance.

12

Statistics Lebanon, Ltd.

Produced a booklet providing accurate information for citizens about essential transactions in four areas: traffic violations, electricity services, real estate property issues, and personal status documents.  The booklet was distributed door-to-door to 23,000 selected households in several neighborhoods within the Greater Beirut metropolitan area. In addition, a call center within Statistics Lebanon was established to field incoming inquiries about those transactions covered in the booklet. Response was so good, that Statistics Lebanon subsequently printed an additional 10,000 copies and distributed them.

11

Byblos Ecologia

Produced and distributed a reference booklet about citizens' environmental rights and duties, how to hold the concerned public departments accountable, and the penalties imposed for environmental felonies. A conference addressing the issue of transparency and accountability on environmental issues was held and featured leaders from the government, parliament, media outlets, environmental organizations, and other interested non-governmental organizations and civic leaders.

10

Tewfik Mishlawi

Launched the “Lebanon Journalism Review,” a critical media publication, which aims to monitor the Lebanese press, and encourage improved accuracy, fairness, balance, and unbiased reporting by the local news media. Contributors included seasoned journalists, professionals and press observers. As a media watchdog, LJR highlights areas within the sector which need improved transparency, accountability, and professionalism.

9

Atelier for
Arts and Culture

Organized a drawing contest on transparency and accountability for almost 7000 students in 125 schools in the Beqaa Valley after introducing the concepts of transparency, accountability and corruption through brochures and posters.  Thirty-two winners were selected and awarded prizes. An exhibition for about 150 drawings was held at UNESCO Palace in Beirut under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Lebanon, H.E. General Emile Lahoud.

8

International Management and Training Institute

Developed a financial procedures manual that explains all necessary issues, such as financial reporting, handling accounts payable and receivable, management fees, allocation of indirect costs, and related legal issues. Thirty NGOs participated in a workshop and provided feedback on the draft manual, which was prepared by legal and auditing experts. This feedback was incorporated into the final version. To date, the manual has been distributed to the 30 original NGO’s, along with 41 additional NGOs from throughout Lebanon who attended two training workshops on Financial Management and how to use the manual.

6

Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training

Conducted a comparative study of the national budgets from 1996 - 2000 for the health, tourism, education, agriculture, social affairs, and public works sectors to analyze revenues generated from the Baalbeck–Hermel region, what was promised by government officials to be spent in the region, and the actual funds subsequently spent there. With the completed studies, LOST held a 4-day conference with civic leaders and government officials to discuss the disparity between promised and actual expenditures, and to develop recommendations. Three follow-up workshops were held with young civic leaders from each sector to mobilize them to participate in local development issues and advocate for fair allocation of resources to the region.

5

Secours
Populaire
Libanais

Increasing the awareness of young SPL volunteers, members, and beneficiaries on issues related to transparency and accountability in ten cities throughout Lebanon through activities that included a series of 20 lectures, a training of trainers workshop, training sessions for  500 activists, and producing and distributing a special newsletter and posters nationwide.

4

Al Sohof

Developed and launched a bi-lingual, bi-weekly electronic magazine to encourage press accountability, transparency, and investigative reporting. In addition to the site content, the project includes establishing a discussion forum for young journalists and a list serve for Arab journalists, local media heads, and interested readers.

3

Social and Cultural Development Association (INMA)

Held four workshop camps for children aged 8-12, selected and chosen from different schools in North Lebanon. In the camps, the children were familiarized with the concepts of corruption, responsibility, and accountability in a simplified way. A booklet based upon the children's workshop activities was published and is being distributed to teachers in public and private schools in North Lebanon.  The booklet is the first in a series of books on civic awareness that INMA will produce.

2

Lebanese
Transparency Association

Researched and published 15,000 copies of a one-stop-shop booklet clarifying an important but complicated transaction: that of obtaining a building permit. This booklet states all steps required for completing the transaction, the costs, and the different agencies responsible for processing the permit. The booklet also includes advice for citizens applying for a construction permit and tips to help avoid corruption.   Also developed its own Code of Ethics to set the rules for the association’s work and internal governance. LTA was one of the first chapters affiliated with Transparency International (TI) to adopt such a code.

1

Development and Municipalities
Studies Center

Developed and published six monthly municipal newsletters summarizing the projects, budgets, plans, and problems faced by selected municipalities in North Lebanon.  This newsletter is being distributed locally in North Lebanon to municipalities, non-governmental organizations, members of Parliament, and citizens.  The newsletter aims to promote transparency of local municipal councils and accountability to their citizens. With improved local governments’ accountability, greater citizen involvement in municipal issues is encouraged