Episode 18 - Rotating Ministries: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Bassel Akar discusses with LCPS Researcher Christelle Barakat Lebanon's public education system in times of war and crisis, focusing on the need for reforms and ways of increasing inclusion and sustainability in the schools. Bassel Akar is a Research Associate at the Center for African Studies, University of Porto, Portugal. From 2014 to 2021, he served as the Director of the Center for Applied Research in Education at NDU. Over the past 16 years, his research and development work in education has focused on lower middle-income conflict-affected countries, namely Lebanon and those in the wider Arab region. Currently, he leads a number of research studies on education in crises-affected areas for international agencies and governments.

In this podcast, Carlos Naffah speaks with LCPS researcher Rasha Akel about the dynamics between Syrian refugees and Lebanese returnees in Ghobeiry, a municipality in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Naffah discusses a study he conducted after the 2023 conflict which explores how these two communities—both impacted by displacement and economic hardship—navigate coexistence in a strained environment. Through interviews with local residents, authorities, and civil society actors, the study reveals a complex reality marked by both tension and interdependence.

Walid Marrouch discusses with LCPS Senior Economic Researcher Lina Maddah the pressing issues of poverty and income inequality in Lebanon. Drawing from recent research and data, the conversation explores the impact of Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis, the role of governance and public policy, and the urgent reforms needed to protect vulnerable populations—especially young people.

Jasmin Lilian Diab speaks with LCPS researcher Christelle Barakat about the intersecting impacts of conflict, economic collapse, and political paralysis on emigration from Lebanon. The conversation examines the structural and immediate drivers of departure, the growth of irregular migration routes, and the policy challenges these trends present.

Marc Ayoub and Ahmad Diab discuss with LCPS researcher Rasha Akel the role of Lebanon’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country’s clean energy transition. Drawing on a year-long LCPS mixed-methods study conducted between October 2023 and July 2024, the conversation explores how MSMEs have adapted to overlapping crises—from economic collapse to energy shortages—by embracing renewable energy solutions. The episode highlights key findings, challenges, and policy recommendations aimed at supporting MSMEs as drivers of sustainable change in Lebanon.