A tragic explosion. Economic collapse. COVID-19. A revolution. Some of the latest challenges in Lebanon – a country wracked by decades of them – serve as a poignant reminder that we each have a role to play to ensure our leaders lead well, that our citizens stay engaged, and that we don’t get too comfortable in our own leadership while our world is falling apart.
In this episode, listen in on a dialogue with poignant and honest reflections from Aspen Global Leadership Network Fellows in Lebanon on their experience living through the compounding crises the country is experiencing. The Fellows’ share reflections on their roles, leadership, and failures up to these latest challenges, as well as how they’re moving forward.
As we all try to navigate roles in an increasingly unstable and uncertain world – where fundamental decisions are being taken every day by governments and stakeholders that shape our systems and our lives – these insights are all the more relevant regardless of where you live.
This conversation features Chadia El Meouchi Naoum, co-founder of the Middle East Leadership Initiative and Managing Partner, Badri and Salim El Meouchi Law Firm, Walid Maalouf, co-founder of the Lebanese Food Bank, Rima Maktabi, journalist and Bureau Chief in London at Al Arabiya, and Ramez Shehadi, managing director for the MENA region at Facebook. It is moderated by Stace Lindsay, president of Fusion Venture Partners and Aspen Institute moderator.
More on the Featured Fellows:
Chadia El Meouchi Naoum, is co-founder of the Middle East Leadership Initiative and Managing Partner, Badri and Salim El Meouchi Law Firm. The explosion in Beirut’s port on August 4 altered her life. Her husband suffered a severe cranial injury, her children still struggle with trauma, and their home was completely destroyed. Since the blast, Chadia has been struggling with her role and responsibility in the situation that led to that fatal day, with her decisions that led to her family’s suffering, with the meaning of resilience and collaboration in leadership, and with how to find hope and strength to rebuild in an uncertain, violent, and chaotic environment. Chadia is a 2008 Henry Crown Fellow.