The WLCU as an NGO and the recognition by the DPI of the UN
-1953 Mexico, Emile Khoury Harb created “the Lebanese Overseas Foundation” which paved the way to the creation of the FIEL in Cuba, and later the World Lebanese Union (WLU) in Mexico.
– 1959 Mexico, The World Lebanese Union (was launched from Mexico as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)
– 1960, WLCU had its 1st congress in Lebanon;
– 1964, 2nd congress in Beirut, Lebanon, the first WLU constitutions and ByLaws clearly define that it is a Non Governmental Organization.
– 1968, 3rd Congress in Beit Mery.
-1971, 4th Congress in Beirut.
-1973, 5th Congress in Beirut.
-1973, The WLU changed its name to WLCU, and was officially registered at the Lebanese Ministry of Interior.
-2000, During the WLCU World National Councils meeting in Mexico on May 2000, Dr. Walid Phares introduced the idea, that the WLCU should seek “the recognition of the United Nations as an NGO” ,it was the first time we heard about the subject.
– 2001- 2002: The opening session of the 12th world congress in Mexico was on may 2001 and its closing session was in Las Vegas on march
2002: decision to create the “Commission of international relations”.
-2003: 13th world congress in Miami and the election of Joe Baini WP and Walid Phares as WSG : for the first time the WLCU start acting freely as an NGO, the Dialogue with the Lebanese authority was shut down due to “non respect of the basic human right of the Lebanese people”. Contact was established with western government, diplomatic missions at the UN, and the European Union, to find a way to free Lebanon from the occupied army. But little effort was made to advance the application of the NGO status.
– 2005: 14th World congress in Sydney and the elections of Anis Garabet WP with Georges Abiraad as WSG : Nomination of Dr Nick Kahwaji to follow up on the NGO application. He re- established contact with Attorney Steve Stanton (International lawyer from Australia) WHO VOLUNTEER TO HELP AT NO COST TO THE WLCU .
-2006-2007 , Attorney Stanton visited the UN headquarter in NY more than once ,also visited the UN in Geneva , visited the UNESCO office in Paris , came to Canada and met with Deputy World Sec.Gen Dr Nick Kahwaji , then went to LA and met with WP Anise Garabet and left to Paris and met with WSG Georges Abiraad to finalize the application
…He gave us the needed Guidance, and the instructions to fill up the application by explaining the procedure ,he presented us with a road map to apply successfully, and to be accepted ….Anise ,Georges ,and Nick worked tirelessly to collect documents , newsletters ,archives, etc, that involved all our organization’s activities for the preceding ten years (along with the proper application to the UN in NY and a duplicate to the UNESCO in Paris). His expertise showed good result. The WLCU will owe him forever.
It worth mentioning that we were given a 50.000$ estimated cost by a NY Lawyer, for what Steven Stanton ( a third generation Lebanese) gave for pro bono.
-2009, June, the WLCU was recognized as associated member of the Department of Public Information of the United Nations.
-2009, July, New York, Anis Garabet, Nick Kahwaji, Sid Chidiac proudly received their bleu ID Card from the DPI of the UN. The WLCU is ready to assume a different kind of responsibility.
-2009, August During the World Council meeting in Beirut, nothing was mentioned about the accomplishment of this legal recognition by the highest administration in the world.
-2009 September, the WLCU delegation attended the 62nd International conference of the DPI of the UN in Mexico City. The delegation was formed by Sid Chidiac , Mara Hanna, from NY, with Anuar Kuri, Alijendro, Kuri,and Bechara Bechara from Mexico. No press releases was issued.
-2009, octobre,The United Nations Information Centre in Mexico sent a congratulations message and best wishes to the WLCU leaders during the celebrations of the fifty anniversary of the WLCU at the Centro Libanes.
This date is considered to be the activation of a Working relationship between the WLCU and the UN. -2009 till Present time ,WLCU representative Mr Sid Chidiac Attended all the weekly briefing prepared by the DPI, at the UN headquarter to discuss various subjects. He gave the WLCU a live presence at the UN Headquarter.
-2009, Septembre, As an observer, the WLCU attended the 64th General Assembly of the UN, WLCU representative Mr Sid Chidiac met the Lebanese president General Michel Sleiman at the entrance of meeting Hall and informed him about the involvement of the WLCU with the UN.
-2010 March 8th & 19th , WSG Dr Nick Kahwaji , and Past President Anis Garabet (Chief Executive officer of the WLCU NGO Committee), and Mr. Chidiac attended the orientation session of the DPI at the UN Headquarter. The event was widely covered by Lebanese media.
-2010 May, As a result of Orientation session attended couple months ago, the WLCU filed an application, to change its status from Associationship to the accreditation, Thanks to the Legal Advice of attorney Steve Stanton, and the efficient and hard work of Elie Gedeon.
-2010, August 30th, till 2nd of Sep. The WLCU delegation attended the 63rd world conference of the DPI, in Melbourne, Australia.
The designated representatives to this event were:
Attorney Stephen Staton, Mr Georges Assaad,Mrs petonella Fakhry, MR Antoine Ghanem, Mr Antoun Yacoub, & Mr Hatem Sayed and for the youth Mr Shaheen Fakhry and Miss Diana Khoury.
– 2011, June 2,3 ,the WLCU representatives will attend the orientation session of the DPI, at the UN Headquarter in NY.
– 2011, Sep 3, Germany the WLCU representatives will attend the 64th International Conference of the DPI .