Lebanon's Unique Opportunity

was chosen as DOT’s “NetCorps Lebanon” ICT-based theme.  In 2003-04, DOT, in partnership with the YMCA Lebanon, implemented an innovative community-based sustainable tourism programme. The NetCorps Lebanon Community Tourism pilot program was launched by Mrs. Bahia Hariri and HE Abdullah Khalil, Minister of Tourism to demonstrate the potential impact, results and profile that ICT could have at a community level in Lebanon.

Building on the strengths of that program, DOT and YMCA Lebanon are launching a new Income Generation Through ICT for Development project in October 2008 sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).  The initiative will stimulate entrepreneurial and small enterprise development and empowerment of vulnerable groups in communities affected by conflict and economic dislocation.

Expected results include:

• Social and economic benefit come in 6-8 disadvantaged communities
• Young men and women DOT Interns gain workforce skills and contribute to their communities
• Self-employment and workplace skills increase income among youth, women and the underemployed
• Micro and small enterprises gain effectiveness in accessing technology and capital
• Lebanon joins the growing DOT Community through an effective knowledge-sharing platform.

Our work in Lebanon demonstrates the power of partnership.  We celebrate YMCA-Lebanon and Cisco Systems Foundation for their leadership in engaging local partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Hariri Foundation, UNESCO, Microsoft, Central Bank, Safadi Foundation,  Professional Computer Association of Lebanon (PCA), the Partnership for Lebanon (PfL), and international partners such as CIDA and USAID.  DOT’s flagship program in Jordan, Shabakat al Ordon, brings added regional expertise and knowledge sharing.

What's Next

As our program builds, we invite you to learn more about our country staff and Interns;  our partners and community members and hear about our success stories.