Lebanon’s history has been deeply shaped by cycles of violence, political turmoil, and social divisions. For decades, narratives about the country’s past—especially the Civil War (1975-1990)—have been shaped by political agendas, often leaving younger generations with fragmented, biased, or incomplete accounts of history. Today, as Lebanon faces renewed social and political challenges, it is crucial to foster a space where young voices can critically engage with the past and connect it to the present.

This initiative, led by UMAM Documentation & Research, seeks to amplify the voices of Lebanon’s youth (aged 35 and under; the “post-war” generation) by encouraging them to share their reflections on personal, inherited, and lived experiences of violence. The goal is to create a collective memory that is not politically controlled but rather grounded in real experiences, research, and critical thought.

We believe that youth are not just inheritors of history but active participants in shaping the country’s future. Through this project, we aim to:

• Encourage youth to reflect on and document their own understanding of Lebanon’s violent past and present.
• Develop analytical skills that will enable them to critically engage with historical and archival research.
• Foster open and non-politicized discussions about Lebanon’s past, helping to dismantle sectarian and ideological narratives that fuel divisions.
• Promote awareness about the role of youth in past and present conflicts—whether as victims, witnesses, or participants.

By sharing and analyzing personal experiences, young people can gain a deeper understanding of Lebanon’s history, challenge prevailing narratives, and contribute to a more accountable, democratic, and human-rights-focused future. This initiative is not just about remembering the past—it is about understanding how the legacies of violence continue to shape Lebanon today and what can be done to create a better tomorrow.

The initiative is supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) via zivik Funding Programme.

Lebanon’s history has been deeply shaped by cycles of violence, political turmoil, and social divisions. For decades, narratives about the country’s past—especially the Civil War (1975-1990)—have been shaped by political agendas, often leaving younger generations with fragmented, biased, or incomplete accounts of history. Today, as Lebanon faces renewed social and political challenges, it is crucial to foster a space where young voices can critically engage with the past and connect it to the present.

This initiative, led by UMAM Documentation & Research, seeks to amplify the voices of Lebanon’s youth (aged 35 and under; the “post-war” generation) by encouraging them to share their reflections on personal, inherited, and lived experiences of violence. The goal is to create a collective memory that is not politically controlled but rather grounded in real experiences, research, and critical thought.

We believe that youth are not just inheritors of history but active participants in shaping the country’s future. Through this project, we aim to:

• Encourage youth to reflect on and document their own understanding of Lebanon’s violent past and present.
• Develop analytical skills that will enable them to critically engage with historical and archival research.
• Foster open and non-politicized discussions about Lebanon’s past, helping to dismantle sectarian and ideological narratives that fuel divisions.
• Promote awareness about the role of youth in past and present conflicts—whether as victims, witnesses, or participants.

By sharing and analyzing personal experiences, young people can gain a deeper understanding of Lebanon’s history, challenge prevailing narratives, and contribute to a more accountable, democratic, and human-rights-focused future. This initiative is not just about remembering the past—it is about understanding how the legacies of violence continue to shape Lebanon today and what can be done to create a better tomorrow.

The initiative is supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) via zivik Funding Programme.