The fall 2025 edition of the LAU Economic Policy Talk Series highlighted how economic principles guide policy choices across different layers of governance in Lebanon. Organized by the Department of Economics, the series offered students and faculty direct engagement with practitioners whose work illustrates both the promise and the constraints of applying economic tools to real-world issues. 

The series opened on September 17 with Executive General Director and Chairman of the Litani River Authority Sami Alawieh, who spoke about the economic costs of ineffective water governance. Rooting his talk in the environmental pressures affecting the Litani River, Dr. Alawieh explained how pollution, regulatory shortcomings and institutional fragmentation translate into tangible losses for the national economy. 

“Water policy is not separate from economic policy,” he said. “It is a measure of how ready we are to protect the foundations of our growth.” By framing it as such, Dr. Alawieh encouraged the participants to see water management not as a narrow technical field but as a critical public priority that shapes long-term development outcomes.

On October 15 at the LAU Beirut campus, President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of Lebanon Charles Arbid expanded the discussion to the national policy arena. He emphasized that socio-economic reform must be grounded in both rigorous analysis and the restoration of public trust. 

“Economic strategies fail when people no longer believe they have a stake in the country’s future,” noted Arbid, underscoring the council’s role in convening civil society, private-sector actors and government institutions. By situating the policymaking process within a broader culture of citizenship and engagement, Arbid highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue in shaping durable national solutions.

The final session on November 19 at the LAU Byblos campus featured the Mayor of the Municipality of Byblos, Joseph Chami, who presented JBAIL-BYBLOS–VISION 2030. His talk explored how municipalities can align governance, urban planning and sustainability to strengthen local resilience.

“A city’s development depends on decisions that are both forward-looking and grounded in real capacity,” said Dr. Chami, reflecting on the balance between strategic ambition and practical implementation. By outlining Byblos’ priorities and constraints, he demonstrated how economic reasoning helps municipal leaders assess trade-offs, allocate resources judiciously and anchor growth in long-term public benefit.

Together, the three talks offered the LAU community a cohesive narrative about policymaking in Lebanon, moving from environmental stewardship to national socio-economic dialogue and local development planning. Through these conversations, students and faculty gained a clearer understanding of how economic analysis—when applied thoughtfully—can illuminate pathways toward more effective governance and sustainable progress.

The Department of Economics will continue expanding the series with new speakers and topics in the coming months.