Institutional Resilience and Collaborative Approach: MARCH’s Path to Social Cohesion
In the pursuit of a stable and prosperous nation, institutional resilience stands as a cornerstone for both development and social harmony. Establishing a robust governmental infrastructure is vital to ensuring citizens’ access to essential services that contribute to a high quality of life. Yet, when proper governance mechanisms are absent, the resulting socioeconomic disparities can erode the very fabric of societal unity.
Recognizing its interconnected role within the broader context, MARCH understands that sustainable change is not a solo contribution, but one rooted in collaboration and cooperation. The organization acknowledges that effecting positive transformation requires partnerships that transcend sectors and ideologies. MARCH is deeply committed to fostering public sector reform through strategic alliances with governmental institutions.
Promoting Civil-Military Cooperation
The commitment of MARCH to collaboration has been successful across multiple sectors. One noteworthy example is its fruitful partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces. By maintaining consistent communication and coordination with the Lebanese army, MARCH has contributed to reshaping perspectives towards the army’s approach in post-conflict scenarios. This collaboration has also facilitated constructive dialogues between local communities and army members, paving the way for mutual understanding and cooperation. Activities like football tournaments, installing solar panels, agricultural projects and jointly creation of a military training base by youth from Beb El Tebbeneh and Jabal Mohsen, with army members, have reshaped perceptions and socioeconomic dynamics.
Addressing Statelessness: An Impetus for Change
MARCH’s collaboration has also been successful in its work in tackling statelessness. After identifying a substantial number of stateless individuals in Tripoli, the second largest city in Lebanon, MARCH took initiative to conduct a comprehensive field study, shedding light on the implications of this issue in several regions in the country. Stateless individuals from Lebanese fathers lack official recognition by the government due to the failure of registering their birth within the legal timeline and ignorance of the legal frameworks. As such they face immense challenges in accessing fundamental services like education, healthcare, and employment. In response, MARCH partnered with Siren Associates to develop an automated system that revolutionized the work of civil status registrars across Lebanon. This system not only promotes transparency and efficiency but also addresses the core issue of statelessness.
A Unifying Approach: Building Bridges between Communities and Governmental Institutions
MARCH’s efforts showcase the transformative potential of initiatives and these collaborations bridge the divide between government institutions through fostering open dialogue, sharing knowledge, and working together. MARCH’s model illustrates the power of cooperation in creating lasting change portraying that institutional resilience isn’t only about the strength of governmental structures; it’s about recognizing the interconnectedness of all segments of society. Through forging alliances, sharing expertise, and embracing a united approach, MARCH is building a new perception of the community towards the army and governmental and legal institutions away from mistrust and resentment and towards acceptance, tolerance and trust.
