Lebanon has endured over five years of severe challenges, including unprecedented economic turmoil, persistent political paralysis, and exacerbated social tensions in an already deeply fragmented society. Today, Lebanon’s diaspora can play a significant role in not only facilitating the country’s reconstruction process, but serve as a driver of its economy. Indeed, beyond financial investments, the Lebanese diaspora can contribute valuable knowledge, skills, and cultural insights, fostering innovative solutions to local challenges. This transfer of knowledge can additionally strengthen ties between the diaspora and Lebanon, integrating the country and local businesses into the global landscape, and open doors for international partnerships.
Therefore, this paper evaluates the broader contributions that the Lebanese diaspora can make beyond remittances and monetary aid, investigating how the diaspora’s skills and expertise can drive Lebanon’s economic recovery, address local challenges, and promote sustainable development through knowledge transfer and innovation. It will additionally propose mechanisms for facilitating financial investment, knowledge transfer, and collaboration between the diaspora and Lebanon.
