Take Back Parliament - Lebanon

Take Back Parliament - Lebanon (Arabic: إسترجعوا البرلمان‎), (TBP - Lebanon) is a political movement launched by several Lebanese activists who met through various social organizations and civil initiatives. Social media has played a significant role in helping to expand the group. The grassroots campaign was created as an alternative to the gridlock between the two existing political alliances in Lebanon, the March 8 Alliance and March 14 Alliance. The group members crowd-sourced to build an electoral platform which is the ideal political agenda they would like to see candidates represent. The political agenda calls for a democratic secular nonsectarian government, bringing social justice awareness, and an eventual end to corruption.

Take Back Parliament 2013 - Lebanon

2013 إسترجعوا البرلمان
Founded2012
HeadquartersBeirut, Lebanon
IdeologyDemocracy,
Secularism,
Social justice,
Anti-feudalism,
Direct Democracy
ColoursPurple, white and yellow
Website
www.vote2013.org

Values

- Practice that reflects Principles: TBP strives to reflect its values in its internal organizing.
- Zero Budget: TBP did not hire any staff; the endeavor is completely dependent on volunteers.
- Transparency: TBP only asks for donations to pay necessary fees and bills and has pledged to make its accounts and spendings transparent.
- Direct Democracy: TBP promotes direct democracy as its internal way of organizing and as a viable democratic system for Lebanon.
- Accountability: The campaign is built on open, honest, and friendly accountability mechanisms of individuals, groups, and decisions within the group.
- Grassroots Organizing: TBP members believe in a bottom-up approach to political change in Lebanon. They did not seek mainstream media campaigns and have announced knocking on doors and taking the time to speak to people individually.
- Faith in the Impossible: TBP members admit that their project might seem impossible but say that they have trust in the power of the people.

Agenda

TBP was created to challenge what it calls the total inefficiency of the current and previous Lebanese parliaments and their disconnect from the daily lives of citizens. TBP members crowd-sourced and contacted various experts and NGOs to build agenda papers regarding the following issues:

Governance (8)Human Rights (5)Public Services (5)Spatial Planning (5)Economy (4)Environment (4)Security & Foreign Policy (3)Culture (3)Media (2)
Corruption Women's Rights Education Public Spaces & PropertyEconomyEnvironmental IssuesSecurityTourismMedia Laws
Electoral System Rights of People with Disabilities Healthcare Urban PlanningBudget and TaxationWaste ManagementForeign PolicyNational Dialogue and Conflict ResolutionICT Reform and Online Freedom
Parliament Workers and Migrant Workers' RightsPublic TransportTraffic LawsAgriculture SectorFishing and Hunting Laws Boycott of IsraelCivil War Memory and Amnesty Law
SecularismChildren's RightsElectricityLebanese HeritageSustainable DevelopmentAnimal Rights
Civil LawSexual RightsWaterRent Law
Personal Status LawPrisoners' Rights
Judicial System
Administration & Municipalities

Some of these papers are already available on the TBP website and the rest is expected to be made available by the end of April 2013.

References
  • Media (Al Hayat) article about Take Back Parliament - Lebanon, 03/2013
  • Blog (Lebanese Expatriate) coverage about Take Back Parliament - Lebanon, 02/2013
  • Media (Annahar) article about Take Back Parliament - Lebanon, 02/2013
  • Media (iloubnan) article about Take Back Parliament - Lebanon, 02/2013
  • Media (Daily Star) article about Take Back Parliament - Lebanon, 10/2012
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