Statehood & Participation Published: 6 March 2014 Throughout the countries of the Middle East, citizens view the state with suspicion. State institutions are often experienced as biased towards the powerful, corrupt and predatory, and as a sometimes violent means to safeguard the position of a ruling elite, or the domination of one part of the population over others. Participation, on the other hand, is mostly reduced to elections of questionable representational value, or relies on informal channels and structures and primordial relations, and thus reinforces existing patterns of subordination and power. The program Statehood & Participation supports initiatives that demand accountability and due process and encourage citizens to become aware, active and organized around issues of (gender-)democratic participation, freedom of expression and sustainable development.
Environmental Justice Published: 6 March 2014 The Middle East is characterized by high income economies relying on energy exports, and middle to low income economies with limited resources for export. Both developmental models tend to neglect sustainability - but pollution, climate change and loss of natural resources already are rampant and will effect future generations even more drastically. Pushing for sustainable development is also a question of justice: between current and future generations, but also between those who have the means to isolate themselves from the negative repercussions of unsustainable practices, and those who have to bear the brunt of it. The program Environmental Justice puts special emphasis on the issues of climate change and renewable energies, on the access to public resources, and the right to sustainable agriculture and a just international trade regime.
Culture & Dialogue Published: 6 March 2014 National, political and religious identities remain subjects of contention around the region. People in the Middle East are called upon to rally around narrowly defined values that are deployed in struggles over markets, power and cultural hegemony, and often have little opportunity to choose and decide how to define themselves, where to look for sources of inspiration and pride. The program Culture and Dialogue wants to widen understanding about the cultural dimensions of conflict and their relation to globalization and inequality of power, and supports cultural expressions and perspectives of socio-political issues and cross-cultural exchange.
ALMOST THERE FIRST EDITION Published: 2 March 2020 Heinrich Böll Foundation's Middle East Office in Lebanon presents for the first year its annual Film Festival, Almost There on Human Rights and Migration. A humanitarian issue, migration often ends up being politicized. Populism takes the place of smart politics; racism comes disguised as “legitimate concerns” – and unwilling to deal with the causes, Europe rather tries to close itself off and keep migrants and refugees outside its borders, shifting the burden to its neighboring countries. With this film festival, we want to highlight different aspects of flight and migration: Documentaries of those who flee for their life or seek a better future, of hopes fulfilled or dashed, on getting out and being stuck, on arrival and the struggle of what comes next. This first edition took place from October 3 to 5, 2016 in Empire Metropolis Sofil, Ashrafiye.