OneAct project seeks to promote social stability in Lebanon through local champions, positive dialogue, and national media campaigns—including the #OneAct campaign, launched in 2020.
In Lebanon, many identity groups—sectarian, religious, ethnic, or otherwise—have low levels of trust in the state and each other. Past violence has fueled divides, with social and economic inequalities now amplifying them. In 2020, nationwide protests showcased popular grievances, with many people demanding profound change, including political system and economic reforms.
Lebanon also hosts the largest number of refugees per capita, with over one million Syrians arriving across the border. In Lebanon, powerful narratives frame refugees as an economic burden and threat to the country’s religious balance. The economic crisis and devastating Beirut explosion in August 2020 further exacerbated these tensions. Social media has accelerated false rumors, stereotypes, and prejudice, undermining community relationships and increasing the risk of violent conflict.
In response to these risks, Search and consortium partner Zinc Network are leading OneAct project to foster social stability and peace by cultivating positive dialogues, narratives, and collaboration in communities across Lebanon, thus building trust and respect.
Inclusivity is central to this program, which will give many individuals a chance to be heard and will showcase their efforts through wide communications. Thereby, we hope to increase social stability across the target communities in Lebanon.
The project uses local and national approaches in parallel to achieve impact. At the local level, a team of influencers and connectors will be trained as community ‘Champions’ to facilitate dialogue and lead community initiatives. The initiatives will promote positive interactions across divides, including between host communities and refugees, in hotspot communities in the governorates of Akkar, North, Mount Lebanon, West and Central Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, and Beirut.
A national multimedia campaign will disseminate messages of unity and empathy, increasing positive perceptions of other identity groups. The success stories of the local Champions will be the building blocks of this campaign, as amplifying these voices through diverse channels can bolster social stability in Lebanon broadly. Find specific information about the OneAct campaign here.
Organizational Profiles
Search for Common Ground (Search) is the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organization, with active programs in 32 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, the Middle East, and the United States. Our mission is to transform how the world deals with conflict from adversarial means to shared solutions. Search has worked in Lebanon since 1996 through diverse programming, including social cohesion work, peace education, and media production.
Zinc Network is a communications agency based in the UK that helps communities, brands, and governments drive positive social change. Its work is developed through a collaborative and iterative design process based around the principles of understanding, empowering, and connecting people.
