The Lebanese American University (LAU) and the Civic Influence Hub (CIH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate and join efforts in promoting dialogue and knowledge production in the fields of public policy, good governance, inclusive citizenship, sovereign accountability, and reform in Lebanon.
Under the section titled “Objectives,” the memorandum states that the two parties will collaborate to encourage constructive dialogue and interaction among various stakeholders, particularly academia, policymakers, civil society, the media, and international partners. This cooperation will include the joint organization of activities, dialogues, publications, research, and outreach, as well as the launch of joint initiatives to engage religious and academic institutions, civil society organizations, media outlets, and international and Arab stakeholders. The aim is to influence public policy and social discourse and to enhance student engagement in public affairs and national issues. The two parties also agreed to plan and coordinate jointly to achieve these objectives, conduct periodic evaluations throughout the duration of the agreement, and establish a joint annual work plan at the beginning of each year.
The ceremony, held at the LAU campus, was attended by LAU President Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, President of the Civic Influence Hub Mr. Faysal El Khalil, Vice President Dr. Abdul Salam Hasbini, several members of the Board of Trustees, as well as LAU’s Academic Provost Dr. George Nasr, a number of vice presidents and their assistants, and working teams from both sides.
In his opening remarks, LAU President Dr. Abdallah welcomed the attendees and stated that “this meeting is evidence of a shared commitment to advancing public policy, strengthening state institutions, and supporting the Lebanese people over the long term.” He praised the Civic Influence Hub, describing it as “a non-partisan civil advocacy group founded by Lebanese citizens who have dedicated themselves to promoting the principles of good governance, accountability, and the rule of law principles that constitute the foundation of a sovereign and just state.” He noted that “there are shared objectives between the two parties in promoting accountability and governance and in building a Lebanon where citizens enjoy dignity and equal rights under the Constitution.”
Dr. Abdallah added that “it is only logical for the University and the Civic Influence Hub to commit to these objectives, as they are at the core of their respective missions,” describing the MoU as “a strategic alliance aimed at producing research that contributes to shaping public policy, in addition to achieving tangible governance-related activities.”
Dr. Abdallah urged “the translation of theoretical studies into practical action so that people can feel their impact on the ground and in their daily lives,” emphasizing “the importance of investing in policy research, evidence-based dialogue, and cooperation between academia and civil society to help Lebanon and its citizens overcome complex challenges and to restore public trust in state institutions whose role has eroded in the country.”
Dr. Abdallah concluded by calling to “invest together in applied policy research, evidence-based dialogue, and cooperation between academia and civil society, in a manner that contributes to helping Lebanon overcome its complex challenges, starting with institutional reform and the implementation of the Constitution, and leading to sustainable social and economic development.” He further noted that “at a time when trust in public institutions is being tested and the need for solid governance frameworks is growing, this cooperation will focus directly on policy design, constitutional principles, and citizen empowerment, with a strong emphasis on accountability, transparency, and participatory governance.”
For his part, Mr. Faysal El Khalil, President of the Civic Influence Hub, delivered a speech in which he stated that “this Memorandum of Understanding is rooted in shared values, academic rigor, and a deep sense of national responsibility between the Lebanese American University and the Civic Influence Hub.” He noted that “LAU has played a major role in educating generations of leaders grounded in freedom, accountability, pluralism, and inclusive citizenship, making this partnership not only timely but also necessary.”
Mr. El Khalil reviewed the establishment of the Civic Influence Hub (CIH) in 2012 “as a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting good governance and sovereign reform,” emphasizing that “CIH’s objectives were the result of extensive discussions involving a group of prominent Lebanese figures in constitutional and reform affairs, some of whom contributed to drafting the Taëf Accord.”
Mr. El Khalil added that “Lebanon’s crisis is not merely economic or financial; it is a constitutional, sovereign, and structural crisis that requires a political solution rooted in the Lebanese Constitution and the Taif Agreement.” He considered that “Lebanon faces profound and serious challenges at multiple levels yet today stands before a rare historic opportunity to rebuild a sovereign, free, just, independent state and a state of citizenship—an endeavor that requires strategic cooperation across all sectors,” noting that “this is precisely what this Memorandum of Understanding represents.”
Mr. El Khalil stressed “the importance of the role of academic institutions in the effort to rebuild the state, alongside the private and public sectors and civil society, in order to achieve the required reform.” He added that “the MoU with the University provides a vital platform for joint research, political dialogue, student engagement, and collective advocacy.”
Mr. El Khalil concluded by affirming that “the partnership with the Lebanese American University represents a shared commitment to reviving constitutional life, restoring institutional trust, and advancing a sovereign, free, just, and inclusive state, in contribution to Lebanon’s democratic future.”
The event concluded with a reception and an exchange of views on the upcoming phase.
The Lebanese American University & the Civic Influence Hub
Media Office
Beirut, 13 January 2026
