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Mixing Caesar's Things with God's
Without the moral and material support UMAM D&R receives from the many people and organizations that share its mission and vision, our organization would be unable to continue its important work. Notably, while all of our donors are full partners in the UMAM D&R charter, we do not maintain direct financial relationships with all of them. Nevertheless, this section seeks to be as inclusive as possible. With that in mind, it would certainly be easier for us to operate according to the adage, “…give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.” Yet not everything can be so easily rendered, and the invaluable counsel we receive from one source can be every bit as helpful as the financial support we receive from another. Therefore, UMAM D&R consistently mixes Casear’s things with God’s…
Our organization simply could not achieve its goals without the invaluable financial assistance we receive from our numerous supporters. Thus, we would like to recognize our current patrons and other backers “angels.” Indeed, the important contributions each has made have helped sustain our organization and allow it to grow while it continues to make positive and critical differences through a variety of worthwhile projects.
The Arab Human Rights Foundation (AHRF) is a philanthropic, not-for-profit organization, the goal of which is to protect human rights in the Arab region by increasing the resources necessary to accomplish that outcome. Via the support it provides, AHRF seeks to reduce dependence on foreign funding and play a greater role in regional social justice philanthropy. AHRF defines human rights according to the International Bill of Rights and all relevant international instruments that pertain to human rights and humanitarian law. Through its philanthropic work and commitment to non-partisanship and transparency, AHRF aims to achieve self-sustainability with respect to the implementation of human rights in the Arab region.
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Canada cooperative development relationship with Lebanon dates to the 1950s and began with humanitarian assistance. That effort peaked during the 1975 – 1990 civil war.
Evolving to meet Lebanon’s changing needs, CIDA’s bilateral assistance program commenced in 1993 and focused on reconstruction. Since then, it has concentrated on the sustainable development of Lebanon’s public and private sectors, with a special emphasis on assisting youth, women, refugees, and victims of landmines.
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands - Human Rights Fund
Human rights policy is made by and for people. Individuals who stand up for their own rights—and those of others—play a very special role in human rights policy. The courage they show deserves support, both moral and practical. Thus, the Netherlands will actively assist human rights organizations and their work.
In many cases, political or diplomatic support alone is not enough. Capacity building and the activities being undertaken by local human rights organizations also require financial support. The Netherlands’ Human Rights Fund was established specifically for this purpose. The largest part of the funding being made available will be spent directly by embassies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to guarantee the money goes to the most suitable and deserving organizations on the ground.
Operating globally, the Goethe-Institut of the Federal Republic of Germany promotes the study of German and encourages international cultural exchange.
In Lebanon, its cultural program is focused on fine arts, concerts, exhibitions, film programs, lectures and science, based on the principle of dialogue and partnership. It also embraces the politico-cultural challenges of globalization through communication and the development of innovative concepts to achieve a more humane and culturally diverse world.
Heinrich Böll Foundation - Middle East Office
The Heinrich Böll Foundation is legally autonomous and intellectually open. It fosters civic education in Germany and abroad by promoting informed democratic opinions, sociopolitical commitment and mutual understanding.
The Foundation supports cultural, scholarly and cooperative developmental projects that address its political values of ecology, democracy, gender democracy, solidarity and non-violence.
In the Middle East, it focuses on statehood and participation, conflict and international politics, sustainable development, and culture and dialogue.
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Veterans all and some…
To the Death
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 A civil war veteran and former Member of Parliament explained: “most Lebanese participated in the war. Participation… was never an issue.” During its What is to Be Done? Lebanon’s War-Loaded Memory initiative, UMAM D&R saw that the issue of former combatants needed attention despite persistent sensitivities and challenges, and commissioned Statistics Lebanon Ltd. to query veterans from each “camp.” Reviewed initially during a 2008 focus group, the final product explains something about who fought, why, and how they view their actions.
Notable veteran Assaad Chaftari saw the predictive value of the effort, especially since many veterans were integrated into the army and other governmental bodies after the war. But while we believe the results give Lebanon’s history more comprehensiveness and transparency, we also believe they should be judged only on how well they achieve that purpose. [Read more...]
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