President Alejandro Kuri speech during the opening of the Extraordinary World Congress held in Lebanon on August 4, 2015
Dear members of the World Lebanese Cultural Union.
Distinguished members of the World Council.
Esteemed presidents.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I want to give a warm welcome to this extraordinary world congress thanked particularly the efforts you have all made to be here because not only is coming to Lebanon this summer but, being here, have left their families and have moved from their hometowns to work today for our dear Lebanese union.
Today, 15 months after taking office, I want to remind you a little of the history of our association and its main objectives.
The World Lebanese Cultural Union was founded in Mexico in 1959 and its founders work a painstakingly to establish an organization that could meet different concerns, the main:
1. Build a strong, big and global organization, always ready to defend the Lebanese Constitution and in particular the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and the freedom to determine their own future.
2. Having a platform that works constantly to ensure that Lebanon remains forever as the motherland of all Lebanese and their descendants around the world.
3. Establish an organization to promote the traditions, history and the Lebanese culture and becomes a benchmark to promote tourism and trade between Lebanon and the countries of emigration.
4. Becoming an active promoter of obtaining Lebanese citizenship, ensuring that all children born out of Lebanon of Lebanese parents are registered as Lebanese citizens who know about their country of origin and is an integral part of their lives , Lebanon providing an endless source of patriotism and moral and financial support.
The founders of our institution were people with great vision, their goal was to create a global network to protect and preserve Lebanese sovereignty and independence , however, we know that always have existed in Lebanon organizations, very active times which they have been deliberately created to replace, control or destroy the world cultural Lebanese union and at the same time working to destroy the social fabric in Liban.
I want to say that these organizations have failed wretched mind as real as we are migrants and their descendants around the world are extremely more passionate about our dear Lebanese people who currently live or govern.
We, true to migrants and their descendants should be an example of unity and work to care for Lebanon and the Lebanese and help the mother country to recover the splendor of their best years.
As you all know our institution has been divided over the years and I firmly believe it is time to heal the wounds and achieve unification.
Lebanon will defend rejecting any intervention, as did my father and many other presidents of our institution during the Syrian occupation and will continue to defend our firm beliefs and values against everything that is currently happening in Lebanon.
It is time for reconciliation and therefore need your empathy and support.
Since I took office I have made this my main goal and I’m very grateful to all present and absent who have supported me unconditionally in this mission, especially my secretary general and all the presidents and committee members unification. To all of you thank you very much.
During my tour around the world I have come to understand the feeling of all Lebanese communities abroad, and I am convinced that all, without exception, want dialogue and unity. We must continue on this path decisively to send a clear message to all Lebanese leaders and politicians for them, here in Lebanon, do the same.
The World Lebanese Cultural Union’s my second family and therefore all of you around this table are my brothers and I invited them as brothers into session today with respect and affection, putting all our effort to find the best solutions Lebanon favor of our loved putting aside our personal interests and our relationship is privileging of affection and friendship.
Today Lebanon is going through one of the hardest times in its modern history in a Middle East convulsed by ethnic and religious extremism without an elected president, and supporting the weight of more than 1 million and a half refugees Syrians keep this country’s serious social and economic problems
Today emigration around the world, particularly our world cultural Lebanese union must be more united and more active than ever to provide our Lebanon wanted a living example that things can change and above all they can improve.
This summer, 200 young people of Lebanese origin, from 17 countries of emigration experienced a Lebanon peace and harmony giving many young Lebanese the hope necessary to move forward despite the many shortcomings and problems. This summer Lebanon was overjoyed to receive the children of their children throughout their territory in a clear sign of solidarity between emigration and the motherland. Here’s a sample of what united and with a positive outlook can accomplish as an association. I want to do at this time in recognition of our beloved president of the youth Nissrin Esber for the great work and love that made for what began as a dream to become the best experience of the lives of these 200 young people who are now without rise to doubts committed ambassadors of Lebanon and the World Lebanese Union. I ask for applause for Nissrin again.
I can not fail to mention at this time the people who contributed directly to support Nissrin to achieve their goals. Toni Kaddissi particularly our secretary general, who for months working shoulder to shoulder with them to design and implement the program of activities. In addition to the sponsors of various events among which ones are former presidents of the Union and Michel Elie Hakme Douaihy. Our Vice President for Africa Nagib Khouri. Our finance committee chairman Antoine Menassa and many other personalities and friends who contributed to the achievement of our goals.
Note that all this would not have been possible without the unconditional support of the Ministry of Tourism and its proprietor, Mr Michel Pharaon who provided the necessary structure and platform for the successful development of this program. G
To all, thank you very much
Now we begin the work of this conference with a hot live Lebanon