AN ANSWER TO A REQUEST FROM THE LPHU

Today we have received the following message from LPHU. We are glad that the importance of this subject is being recognized at last. We only wish that the problem will be tackled in an effective way and that all the citizens who wish to participate in the process will be called to do so. We have added some comments to the original message from LPHU.

CPI The Lebanese Center for Public Information.

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Phase Two of LABP
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Dear LABP members and participants, The Lebanon Alternative Budget Project (LABP) has started working toward creating a dynamic dialogue between Lebanese CS and the Lebanese government to enable Lebanese CS to monitor and influence the formation of the national budget. In Phase One, LABP organized a three-day training workshop entitled “National Budgets: Analysis and Monitoring” led by a trainer from the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA). Then, the International Budget Project (IBP) conducted a three-day assessment of the opportunities available to CS in Lebanon to analyze the national budget. Several other meetings and discussion workshops were held as well.The activities in Phase One have shown the existence of a core group of CS, who are dedicated and interested in pursuing applied budget work in Lebanon. The activities undertaken allowed this group to come together; gain a common understanding of the importance and possibilities for applied budget work; and engage in healthy and direct exchanges with government officials. Building upon achievements realized and seeing the need of CS participation in the Budget, LPHU, in collaboration with NDI, has decided to continue Phase Two of LABP. In Phase Two, LABP will build up on the results achieved in Phase One, will strengthen the LABP Coalition, and will undertake a set of new activities to achieve its objectives.

Objectives
1) Ensure that CS plays a meaningful role in the budget process (See comment no.1 below)
2) Assess and enhance transparency of government's role in the budget process
(See comment no. 2 beloe)
3) Educate citizens on their role and right to participate in the budget process.
( See comment no. 3 below )

In the time being, LABP is preparing several studies, which are:"The Legal Framework of the Lebanese Budget""The Lebanese Budget: Fiscal Constraints and Reforms""Towards an Accessible Environment: An Architectural and Budgetary Impact Approach" These studies will be a relevant tool in the hands of LABP Coalition and the CS to raise awareness on issues like transparency, CS participation, applied budget work, and accountability. These will produce an active dialogue between CS and the government. These studies will strengthen issue-specific budget monitoring, transparency, and budget advocacy. To promote these studies, LABP will hold discussion workshops next month. In October, you will be invited to these discussion workshops and all related details (date, time, and place) will be provided beforehand. Thank you for your cooperation and support.Salpy Degirmendjian LABP Project AssistantThe Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union (LPHU)Tel.: +961-1-307365/6 Ext.: 115E-mail: http://lebcpi.org:2095/horde/imp/message.php?index=404#Website: http://www.lphu.com/

COMMENT NO.1
How are you planning to do this?
Civil Society cannot replace the citizens or the deputies who are their constitutional representatives.
It however can enlighten both on the process.
The question is HOW?See below for our proposal

COMMENT NO.2
How are you planning to do this?
We have said it a thousand times. The only way to do this is to research thoroughly every single item of the sixty-four Budget Headings that also appear or rather should appear every month in the Report of the Ministry of Finance. They should be monitored every month and questions should be asked of the MOF whenever discrepancies are noted.
All that we are asking from LPHU and all the other NGOs is to participate with us in this complex and time and resource consuming study.WHY DO PEOPLE NEVER LISTEN?

COMMENT NO.3
How are you planning to do this?
We, at CPI, have started a web site, a newsletter and fourteen blog sites exactly for this purpose. WHY NOBODY IS COOPERATING WITH US?