I was asked to speak at a graduation ceremony on Friday. It was the end of a tiring and typically eclectic week, including a huge celebration of HM Queen’s birthday (held early, ironically, to avoid Lebanese elections), the launch of the Jaguar F-Type, postponement of elections, the usual round of mountain top meetings with leaders, and rising tension as a result of contagion from (and now to) Syria. But it was great to draw energy and hope from the camaraderie and talent of the graduates.
More than the squabbles in parliament, they represent Lebanon’s future. They divided by discipline, not sect.
By the time it was my turn, I was already overwhelmed by the way in which the students had drawn on the words of great Brits, from Nelson to Churchill, to define courage.
I shared a book of advice that I have collected for my son from various leaders and inspirations. There are some real nuggets in there, from Pele to Beckham, the Dalai Lama to Gorbachev.
George W Bush wrote:
“Charlie, find comfort in faith, family and friends, and don’t sacrifice your soul for approval”.
Bill Clinton wrote:
“Charlie, learn as much as you can. Get to know different types of people. Enjoy every day. Be generous in giving”.
And Barack Obama wrote:
“Dream big dreams Charlie, and then work for them”.
Running through that advice, and through my experience of courageous individuals, are purpose, authenticity and determination.
Lebanon has no shortage of such examples. The entrepreneurs who keep bouncing back. Soldiers trying to keep the men of violence apart in Tripoli.
Those like May Chidiac who campaign for freedoms despite assassination attempts against them. Those like Maxime Chaya, who – having conquered every peak and Pole – sets out this week to row across the Indian Ocean. Those like Charbel, a young Syrian refugee I met on a visit with Save the Children, now raising his family alone.
As I look at the challenges facing Lebanon today, there seems to be no more important moment for the silent majority to show their courage. To have the courage to coexist, while some seek to divide them. To have the courage to believe in a positive vision of Lebanon’s future, while some despair. To have the courage to stick around and build that future for Lebanon, while others leave – see Nemr Abou Nassar’s passionate YouTube call to arms on this theme.
That would be purpose, authenticity and determination.
The generation leaving university now, the first post civil war in Lebanon, face more choices than any before. I hope that they have the courage of Churchill, of Cheya, of Chidiac, of Charbel. And hopefully, providing that he reads the book rather than sells it, of Charlie.