On the top of a formal ceremony called by the Minister of State for Administrative Reform Ibrahim Chamseddine, and organized by the European “Emergence” Foundation, the operational phase of Afkar 2 program launched on March 15th 2006 was concluded. Entitled "AFKAR Program: efforts and results", this occasion outlined the implemented projects and attained results during over two years, after the completion of related activities. This program was funded by a European grant of 3 million euros and managed by the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform. Moreover, this ceremony which was held on July 10, 2009 at Monroe Hotel, Beirut, provided on the most prominent productions and publications realized during the mentioned period, and distinguished by the participation of Lebanese and European officials and the heavy presence of Lebanese NGOs representatives. The media coverage was also extensive.

In the beginning, the coordinator of AFKAR program, Youmna Ghorayeb, introduced, in a welcoming speech, the program and its stages lead to achieve its goals in the support of the Lebanese civil society and the respect of political and civil rights. She also clarified the work’s mechanisms, in terms of selecting funding associations through a proposals’ temptation that adopted a competitive principle and clarity and transparency standards. Mrs. Ghorayeb noted that the selection of Emergence foundation to provide technical assistance to the program came from a temptation of presentations that put forward action’s guidelines, particularly ensuring the follow-up of the associations’ projects implementation and the relevant training workshops provision, in addition to conducting dialogue workshops on issues concerning the Lebanese civil society, as well as publicizing a study on the reality of this society in its weakness and strength points.

 
It was clear from addressed speeches, and distributed publications and brochures, that two axes formed the second phase of AFKAR program: (1) promoting the rule of law and citizenship and (2) the dialogue between Lebanese youth groups. 24 projects were carried out by “AFKAR 2 program, which was a complementary to AFKAR 1. Both programs supportive to Lebanese NGOs, have been able to earn the confidence of these bodies and to promote an advanced model of partnership with them. The twenty-four projects were distributed as follows: 15 of them in the field of promoting the rule of law and citizenship, while 9 projects worked on promoting dialogue among Lebanese youth.

 The President of Emergence Foundation, Christian Jack, addressed a speech in which he noted that the program presented to his foundation an innovative experience which surpassed technical assistance of which the organization was responsible. He also considered that AFKAR program was a highly efficient and a model project due to all the efforts made its officials in order to work honestly. He also declared that Lebanese organizations are filled with huge potentials and believed that cooperation is reflected more between the public and voluntary sector based on mutual recognition and mutual respect.
The Head of the European Commission Delegation, Ambassador Patrick Laurent, assured, on his part, the fact that non-governmental organizations in Lebanon proved to be one of the most stable institutions in the Lebanese arena constantly changing, adding that the program which included 24 projects for $ 3 million contributed in the development of the civil society role. He pointed out that if NGOs got freed from “practicism” and old divisions, and made a concerted effort, can guide politics to be excluded from Lebanese politicians and closer to policy, in terms of to be transferred from the "whom" to the "why" and, consequently, building the basic concepts of civic education and citizenship. Laurent said that the program tested the relationship between the government and citizens, and formed an ideal platform for the exercise and participation in dialogues in a sound and stable way. He expressed his hope that the dialogue between civil society and governmental institutions will last and not remain a mere "a la mode “tendency” but, however, turn into a firm conviction that citizen pressure on their government is a positive issue. He also stressed on the readiness of the European Commission for a continued support of this partnership for development through a new phase, "AFKAR 3”, of AFKAR program.

For his part, Minister Ibrahim Chamseddine felt that the program added the meaning of community development to administrative development, thanking all those who contributed to its success. HE hoped that the ministry receives more attention in order to turn its work over a formula more constitutional, institutional and acceptable to be more effective and productive than to remain with an advisory function. Minister Chamseddine stressed on the fact that the civil society reflects the real rhythm of Lebanon, and that the concept of participation present in the program is based on the acceptance of others, calling on society to challenge the political and sectarian threats surrounding it. Moreover, he demanded clarification of the concept of partnership in the political framework in order to produce a government with genuine partnership serving Lebanon and based on "constitution". HE believed that the Lebanese society can reform its leaders’ behavioral and not yield to them, affirming work to pass a law against domestic violence. Minister Chamseddine commended the European Union efforts in helping the civil society, considering that AFKAR program represents the spirit of the Lebanese society and the spirit of vitality and care in each community.

Afterward, a documentary on AFKAR 2 was presented illustrating the program’s efforts and results. This was followed by a presentation provided by expert Dirk Jarry on the new strategies of non-governmental organizations and the importance of networking between them.

At the end, the audience gathered around tables replete with AFKAR 2 program results in addition to the 24 projects of participating organizations, and celebrated in a cocktail party held especially for the occasion.