Termination of the partnership between the Lebanese American University and CLS – Statement

On the 3rd of February 2023, the Centre for Lebanese Studies (CLS) received a letter from the President of the Lebanese American University (LAU), Dr. Michel Mawad informing us of his decision to terminate the longstanding partnership between the two institutions.

The reason given for the termination was the inclusion of the LAU logo without prior approval on a recent statement and series of visuals published by CLS as a response to the minister of education’s decision to stop afternoon classes for Syrian students, a decision that has been met with wide condemnation locally and internationally for its breach of the human rights of children and the human right to education. The statement in question was written collectively by the Lebanon Policy and Research Network (a network of over 30 of the most prominent research centers and human rights organisations based at the American University of Beirut).

As academics, policy makers, and people concerned with the state of education in Lebanon, we are deeply concerned about the increasing attempts to limit freedom of speech and academic research in the country.

The president’s argument that the statement has jeopardized LAU’s interests and its relationship with the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) raises concerns about the underlying logic that the ministry would use punitive measures against an education institution due to statements made by researchers affiliated to it.

The termination does not affect the work or location of CLS, which remains active in its offices. As a non-profit academic research Centre affiliated with the University of Cambridge, CLS is keen to continue working with all actors on improving education and bringing its expertise to bear on the crisis currently affecting Lebanon’s educational sector. It is our duty to provide evidence-based research to the public which, in good hands, could be used as the basis for policy-making rather than being suppressed and to work towards the recovery of the education sector and to make education accessible to all people living in Lebanon. We remain firmly committed to both academic freedoms, and to conducting independent, internationally recognized research which can serve as the basis for evidence-based policymaking.

We call for:

  • Upholding academic freedom and a recognition of the importance of research to produce critical knowledge for the recovery of all sectors in the country.
  • A commitment to access to quality education and well-being of all students and teachers in Lebanon, and respect for their human rights and dignity.
  • Transparency from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and all other stakeholders regarding the country’s funding and spending on education.