Working Through Crisis:
Innovations, Possibilities and Limitations of Research in a Volatile Lebanon
RELIEF 2021 Conference
About the conference
The historical placement of research questions is key for the people whose lives and livelihoods are at stake and requires a critical response from researchers. In a context like Lebanon, research and researchers must continuously re-position their inquiries and convictions to respond to a continually changing geography. Lebanon is experiencing several intersecting crises: infrastructural incapacity, economic instability, a global health pandemic, a suspended refugee problem, and severe government corruption culminating in an explosion on 4th August at the Beirut port, from which the city still struggles to recover. Simultaneously, a series of social uprisings since October 2019 have sought to imagine possibilities of a different Lebanon. This virtual conference aims to provide a forum for critical reflection on RELIEF’s work, engagement with partners, lessons learnt and how to move forward.
Speakers include Professor Henrietta L Moore (UCL Institute for Global Prosperity), Professor Howayda Al-Harithy (Beirut Urban Lab, AUB), Dr Maha Shuayb (Centre for Lebanese Studies), Professor Diana Laurillard (UCL Institute of Education), Dr Nadim Farajallah (IFI AUB), Dr Camillo Boano (UCL Development Planning Unit), Dr Fadi Alhalabi (Multi Aid Programs - MAPs), Joana Dabaj (CatalyticAction), Suha Tutunji (Jusoor Syria) and many many more.
The conference will consist of CONVERSATIONS around the main RELIEF subject areas, and DELIBERATIONS where certain issues, concepts, field difficulties, are deliberated amongst a smaller group of RELIEF members and experts. As well as musical performances from artists from and in Lebanon.
ConversationS
22nd March 2021
Welcome Session | 2:30 Pm - 2:50 PM EET
Professor Henrietta L Moore will be in conversation with RELIEF Centre co-investigators, Professor Howayda al-Harithy, Professor Diana Laurillard, Dr Fouad Fouad to discuss the overlapping crises in Lebanon, how we seek to adapt to the circumstances and respond to them and how they frame the conference
FORMS OF VITALITY IN THE CITY, THE CAMP, AND INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS | 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM EET
The Vital City approaches Vitality as a process of urbanization and urban transformation. In the midst of a crisis and a health pandemic in Lebanon today, this session will explore research considerations in the current context, vitalist modes of being and the ways public/social spaces enable the reconstruction of a healthier, more vital Lebanon.
INFRASTRUCTURES, PUBLIC COMMONS, AND THE TOOLS TO REALISE THEM | 5:00 PM - 5:50 PM EET
This session will explore the infrastructural challenges that Lebanon is currently facing, and the mechanisms through which infrastructural deficits in energy, water, food production, and waste management can begin to be redressed to create more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
23rd March 2021
Beyond the Physical: Research, Music and the Arts | 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM EET
Music and the Arts have played an important role during a year of physical distancing. This session will reflect on music and the arts not only as mediums of production but as modes of understanding and communication that connect people through the other senses and beyond the physical.
Transformative Education | 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM EET
Digital spaces have offered new opportunities to create partnerships and co-design courses for educators who work in extremely complex contexts. They are no panacea for the current complex education challenges we face. However, if designed right digital spaces can offer more equitable access to quality education and teacher professional development.
LIVELIHOODS IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY | 5:00 PM - 5:50 PM EET
Over the past 24 months, Lebanon has faced significant livelihood challenges from the uncertainty caused by the financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beirut blast. These events had severe impacts on individuals’ life choices, opportunities and outcomes. This session will explore such challenges and impacts on income, employment and food security.
Conclusion | 6:00 pm – 6:50 pm EET
Professor Henrietta L Moore will be in conversation with RELIEF Centre co-investigators Dr Maha Shuayb, Dr Camillo Boano and Dr Elaine Chase to reflect on the conference and discuss the future of the RELIEF Centre.
