From Insight to Impact: Leveraging evidence for Social Assistance Policy in Lebanon
Overview
The “Insight to Impact: Leveraging Evidence for Social Assistance Policy in Lebanon” learning event took place on August 17th, 2023, where CAMEALEON explored the role of evidence to inform policy making and coordination on social assistance in Lebanon. The event aimed to identify the relevant evidence gaps on the link between social assistance and cash programming, and to encourage knowledge-sharing and the exchange of different rationales through a mix of presentations, panel discussions, and deliberations.
The event started with opening remarks by the Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Hector Hajjar and Stephen Kidd’s presentation on “Advocating for Universal Social Security: How to win hearts and minds”.
This was followed by 2 moderated discussions with invited panelists to reflect on the current challenges and opportunities for the Social Protection systems in Lebanon moderated by Khalil Wehbe (independent consultant) and the lessons learnt from humanitarian cash in Lebanon moderated by Bachir Ayoub (Country Director of Oxfam).
The learning event has produced three main outcomes:
(1) it identified numerous opportunities and potential interventions to bolster the social protection system in Lebanon;
(2) it served as an entry point into further discussions between humanitarian stakeholders, donors and governmental agencies to improve coordination and improve the outcomes for recipients of social assistance; and
(3) it yielded a comprehensive list of key takeaways, opportunities and recommendations that will be shared with participants and non-participants.
Research Presenters
Stephen Kidd: Senior Social Policy Specialist at Development Pathways
Dr. Sara Osmane: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Specialist at UNHCR
Soha Moussa: Program Officer at WFP
Chair and panelists for moderated discussions
Discussion 1: Current Challenges and opportunities for the Social Protection Systems in Lebanon.
Moderator: Khalil Wehbe, Independent Consultant
Dr. Ola Boutros, LCRP General Supervisor & Senior Advisor to the Minister of Social Affairs.
Rania Eghnatios, Social Protection Technical Officer at ILO
Sara Hariz, Social Protection Specialist at World Bank Group.
Antoine Renard, Deputy Country Director – Programme & Operations at WFP.
Sami Zoughaib, Economist and Research Manager at The Policy Initiative (TPI).
Discussion 2: Lessons learnt from humanitarian cash in Lebanon.
Moderator: Bachir Ayoubi, Country Director at Oxfam.
Antonio Franco Garcia, Social Policy Specialist at UNICEF.
Julien Morel, Senior Programme Cash Based Interventions Officer at UNHCR.
Rana Nasser, MENA regional Representative at CALP Network.
Beatriz Navarro Rubio, Head of Office, DG-ECHO.
Dr. Ola Boutros, LCRP General Supervisor & Senior Advisor to the Minister of Social Affairs.
