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Can Lebanon’s youth rekindle a collective national identity?

Can Lebanon’s youth rekindle a collective national identity?

Youth Politicians from Studio Madane working on understanding identity politics in the built environment in Lebanon (Credit: Photo provided by Studio Madane)

Amid the devastating war that plunged Lebanon into deeper instability, the nation’s youth were once again at the forefront of its compounded crises. The conflict, which intensified sectarian divides and shattered remnants of trust in state institutions, exacerbated the economic despair and disconnection already felt by the younger generations.

As the cease-fire holds and Lebanon inches toward yet another uncertain future, questions about national identity and political participation have reemerged with urgency. These concerns lie at the heart of ongoing efforts to engage youth in socio-political transformation, such as the Collective Identity Project, launched in May 2024 by Studio Madane, a youth-led organization dedicated to engaging Lebanon’s younger generations in socio-political transformation, while examining the fractured nature of Lebanese identity and its impact on political disengagement.

Collective identity and political (dis)engagement

The war has exacerbated fundamental questions that young Lebanese have been grappling with for years: What does it mean to belong to a country fragmented along sectarian, regional and political lines?

Lebanon’s national institutions have consistently failed to foster a collective sense of belonging, prioritizing identities rooted in division. The Collective Identity Project explores how this absence of a cohesive national identity has deepened feelings of political alienation, leaving many disconnected from political processes and questioning their place in the nation’s future, all the while exploring pathways to craft a shared sense of purpose amidst the country’s diversity.

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The violation of our private and collective memories

Findings reveal that political engagement among Lebanese youth has significantly declined, compounded by a pervasive sense of alienation. “We no longer feel connected to our country,” said one respondent, reflecting a broader sentiment of disengagement.

Only 18.5% out of the 65 surveyed youth from five different Lebanese regions reported being well-informed about domestic politics, while 25.9% had no information at all. Even cultural pride, often cited as a unifying element, fails to translate into political action. This disconnection to the collective identity highlights the lack of empathy between sub-identities in Lebanon that is driven by the melting pot of regionalism and sectarianism. This fragmentation hinders the formation of a collective national consciousness that could foster political engagement.

After expressing her discontent with how the Lebanese people from non-southern regions have abandoned their struggle against Israeli aggressions, a participant testified that she would most likely not be respectively invested if the same were to happen in the north of Lebanon.

Adding to this challenge is the pervasive mistrust in state institutions where 86.5% of surveyed youth reported little to no trust in the government. This deep-rooted skepticism reinforces disengagement, with many doubting the potential for meaningful change.

A way forward: Anchoring in shared cultural threads

Despite these challenges, shared cultural values remain and offer a foundation for rebuilding national cohesion. The study highlights Lebanon’s legacy of freedom, diversity and education, values that could bridge divides and cultivate a collective sense of purpose.

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Education or safety, what matters most?

Recommendations from the study include leveraging Lebanon’s cultural heritage and integrating community engagement into educational systems to cultivate a collective sense of belonging. Such efforts aim to foster dialogue on identity and governance reforms, encouraging youth to see themselves as integral to the nation’s future.

Towards tangible socio-political transformation

The Collective Identity Project marks an important first step in a broader effort to rebuild trust and engagement among Lebanon's younger generations. It does not aim to create or impose a singular unified Lebanese identity. As Nader Akoum, team leader and founder of Studio Madane, explains: “We don’t want to weaponize moments in history or the land’s Phoenician heritage or capitalize on a majority ethnic demographic.”

Lead author Raneem Diab elaborates: “Rather, within the context of Lebanon's rich sectarian, religious and regional diversities, our goal is to cultivate these differences, acknowledge identity as an ever-evolving phenomenon, all while emphasizing the prioritization of a shared Lebanese identity and its benefits.”

While the research provides a foundation, the next phase involves action, mentorship, leadership training, and cultural initiatives aimed at activating young leaders. The Collective Identity Project, developed in collaboration with FNF Lebanon, positions itself not as an academic exercise but as a stepping stone toward reshaping political culture. By addressing the very roots of identity and belonging, initiatives like these have the potential to foster a renewed sense of purpose among Lebanon’s youth, ensuring that they play a vital role in the regeneration of the country’s political and social fabric. 

Amid the devastating war that plunged Lebanon into deeper instability, the nation’s youth were once again at the forefront of its compounded crises. The conflict, which intensified sectarian divides and shattered remnants of trust in state institutions, exacerbated the economic despair and disconnection already felt by the younger generations. As the cease-fire holds and Lebanon inches toward...