“Series of National Policy Dialogues on Promoting Universal Social Protection in Lebanon”
Policy Dialogue 1:
Sustainability of the Social Assistance System and Linkages with the Humanitarian Assistance System
Executive Summary
Lebanon is at a pivotal crossroads in its journey toward a robust, integrated, and universal social protection system. Recent policy and legislative advancements—such as the introduction of the National Disability Allowance (NDA), amendments to the Social Security Law, the landmark pension reform via Law 319, and the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS)—have paved the way for a transformative era in Lebanese social policy. However, deep-seated challenges remain. Gaps between legislative intent and executive implementation, compounded by the aftermath of recent conflicts and economic crises, underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive, inclusive, and shock-responsive approach to social security and social assistance. Yet, the establishment of a new government with a reformist agenda can constitute a leverage point in our strive for the right to social security for all.
In light of this, the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI), in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO), is launching a series of four closed national policy dialogues. These hybrid, multi-stakeholder sessions (conducted in Beirut and online via Zoom) are designed to mobilize experts, policymakers, civil society organizations, labor unions, and international organizations. Our goal is to generate actionable policy recommendations that will bridge the existing gap between legal frameworks and practical implementation, ensuring that social protection reforms in Lebanon achieve their transformative potential.
