From Childhood to Old Age: Building a New Social Contract Through Universal Social Protection in Lebanon

Panel 3 | Social Policy in Lebanon Between Welfare and Warfare

About the Event

The Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), in collaboration with the Centre for Social Sciences Research and Action (CeSSRA), is pleased to invite you to the third panel of the series “Social Policy in Lebanon Between Welfare and Warfare: Multistakeholder Engagement and Exchange Towards Universality.”

Titled “From Childhood to Old Age: Building a New Social Contract Through Universal Social Protection in Lebanon,” the event will explore how Lebanon can move beyond fragmented, targeted, and emergency-based assistance towards a comprehensive, rights-based social protection system that guarantees dignity and security throughout the life cycle.

Lebanon's overlapping economic, social, and security crises have exposed the limitations of existing social protection arrangements. Access to support remains unequal and often depends on employment status, income, family resources, and other factors. Children and families have been particularly affected by poverty, displacement, interrupted education, and reduced access to essential services.

Recent reforms, including the National Social Protection Strategy adopted in 2024, pension-related legislation, and the introduction of the National Disability Allowance, represent important steps. However, implementation remains partial and fragmented, underscoring the need for a more inclusive and sustainable approach.

The discussion will examine universal social protection as a fundamental right and a cornerstone of a renewed social contract. It will address the future of the National Social Security Fund, disability-inclusive protection, unpaid care work, women's access to social protection, and young people's perspectives on coverage and entitlements.

Agenda

10:00–10:10 | Welcome and Registration

10:10–10:40 | Universal Social Protection versus Targeted Approaches

An introductory discussion on the limitations of targeted and residual assistance, and the importance of recognizing universal social protection as a right and a central pillar of the social contract.

Speaker: Adib Nehme, consultant and expert on development, socio-economic policies, and poverty; consultant for ANND.

10:40–12:15 | The Current State of Social Protection in Lebanon

This session will examine key challenges and opportunities in Lebanon's social protection system, including the National Social Security Fund, disability allowances, unpaid care work, women's access to protection, and youth perspectives.

Speakers:

• Chawki Abou Nassif — Financial Director, National Social Security Fund
• Sylvana Lakkis — President, Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD)
• Tala Abdul Ghani — Senior Researcher, Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship
• Ahmad Daher — Mada Network

Chair: Zahra Bazzi, Programs Director, Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND)

12:15–1:00 PM | Recommendations, Conclusions, and Q&A

The concluding session will bring together recommendations on social policies, national ownership, and governance, followed by an exchange with participants.

Concluding remarks: Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director, Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND)

Moderator: Sobhiya Najjar, CeSSRA

Registration and Participation

The event will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online participation.

In-person attendance: Kindly confirm your participation by emailing contact@socialsciences-centre.org.

Online attendance: Please register through the Zoom webinar link below.

Register for Online Participation