Under the patronage of President Michel Suleiman Civic Influence Hub (CIH) organized, and in an unprecedented initiative at both the social and economic levels in Lebanon, the launching ceremony of the project BLUE GOLD, a five-year plan for the management of the water sector in Lebanon. More than a thousand figures including decision makers, politicians and economic authorities, academics, experts and journalists as well as civic society organizations, UN agencies, ambassadors, municipal unions and trade unions representatives participated in this huge event , which was held Tuesday on December 10, 2013 at the Phoenicia Hotel.
The ceremony was presented by the media anchorwoman Ildico Elia gave details about the BLUE GOLD project, built on hard scientific facts and studies, which could change the face of Lebanon. The project has drawn support from a large number of prominent players in the public sector, civic institutions and private sector companies supporting and endorsing the concept and its implementation process. With the support of more than 40 experts in the water sector who worked together for more than 1 year, the Civic Influence Hub, a lobbying group with a mission to exert civic pressure, ensured that the project takes no political or sectarian influence. This hub aims to present a new vision and numerous initiatives about social politics in order to pressure the decision makers in light of the unifying economic concept".
The Executive Director of CIH, Mr. Ziad Sayegh talked about a new approach to create an efficient cooperation philosophy at a critical moment where divisions are increasing, explaining the three priorities of the lobbying group that include unifying Lebanese around unifying socioeconomic project and leveraging the civic society's structure and fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Dr. Asaad Rizk praised the unifying economy concept hoping to create an influential lobby that gathers all national components through CIH, because it is the economy, which brings back the light on the prominence of the wasted national wealth, and the common interests that unite the Lebanese, that overcome their differences and contradictions.
From his side, Eng. Fahd Saccal explained the strategic goals and dimensions of BLUE GOLD, he said: "We chose water because it is the most vital element in life, and the average rainfall and snow in Lebanon is the highest compared with its surroundings in the Middle East. The objectives of the project are to introduce a new concept transforming our surplus of water from a consumption need to a national economic wealth and to unite all the Lebanese under the theme of water and finally provide an integrated plan to manage this resource."
In his turn, Eng. Elie Gebrayel noted the steps to make this initiative a success: "We are determined not to fail, but our bet is to convince the decision makers to give priority to the national wealth." He explained that: "CIH is driving a communication campaign with the legislative and executive authorities, and we are on the brink of completing a draft law to create "the National Water Council" which we propose as a new mode of interaction between the private and public sectors."
Mrs. Wafaa Saab spoke about the socioeconomic impact of the initiative and said: "Water is not like oil and gas, and doesn't require us to search for it, it is visible, and is found on a wide geographical area; people from different affiliations and communities gather where there is water. She considered that "BLUE GOLD has substantial socioeconomic impact that concerns all the Lebanese in all sectors and at all levels; more than 3,000 jobs will be created in the first phase in addition to 400,000 seasonal jobs, while encouraging people to stay in their communities."
Speaking about the initiative's concept, Mr. Farid Chehab said: "We used as Lebanese to blaming others and to hold them responsible for what happens to us and we have lost faith in making a difference and accomplishing achievements and taking decisions, so we focus at CIH on creating awareness amongst Lebanese about the unifying economy concept, and as an initial step, we work on forming a favorable public opinion supportive for the BLUE GOLD project."
For his part, Mr. Hachem Koussa called on participants to support the project, as he spoke about the vital importance of water and explained that the BLUE GOLD Project was designed to be the most important national projects, a beautiful dream come true that should come true. He called the on behalf of CIH, the Lebanese to be active members of the lobbying network, which is in the process of creation, and join the group in supporting the Project as advisors or supporters while endorsing its communications campaigns."
Mrs Naila Kettaneh Kunigk urged all Lebanese to vote for BLUE GOLD on www.bluegoldlebanon.com and SMS 1329 and stressed that options of the people must be heard, because their votes are essential in the Public Affairs scene and are vital to create the National Water Council.
BLUE GOLD is an initiative aiming to highlight the importance of water in Lebanon, as not a mere commodity but a national wealth able to leverage the national economy substantially. The project aims as a first step, to create the National Water Council by communicating with decision makers and provide an opportunity to Lebanese to make their voices heard by collecting a million votes and present it for Parliamentary voting. The water resources are a power element to CIH as it is a subject that unites the Lebanese people from different segments and doesn't know limits or sectarian segregation or targeting a limited area in Lebanon. In this line, the gift of CIH to the ceremony participants was the BLUE GOLD book that contains a detailed explanation about the project and executional mechanisms and benefit from the water wealth of Lebanon.
BLUE GOLD has an integrated approach where different Lebanese stakeholders will share the implementation as they will be part of the initiative on a national scale. The project will have a role in the improvement of water availability and quality in all areas of Lebanon. It also seeks to save funds especially in the water domestic consumption area, in addition to creating jobs in Lebanon and the possibility of increasing the individual incomes by providing the opportunity for the citizens and the private sector to invest in the water sector as well as strengthening the foundations of the Lebanese economy and growing the national GDP.
For more information about BLUE GOLD, please visit: www.bluegoldlebanon.com and vote on same site or on facebook: bluegoldlebanon or send bluegold via SMS on 1329.
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