The Sawti Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Resources Ahead of May 6 and May 8 Diaspora Vote, May 15 In-Country Vote May 05, 2022

Listen to the episode clip for some key information before you vote (whether as part of the diaspora on May 6 or May 8, or in Lebanon on May 15).

Please check out Sawti's FAQs so you're prepared to vote:

(this discusses lists, what a preferential candidate is, and the overall process of voting)

https://www.sawtivoice.org/faqs

Lists of coalitions and candidates in your district: https://www.sawtivoice.org/candidates

Polling stations in your country:

https://www.sawtivoice.org/polling

Hear from candidates from various lists across districts through webinar talks (does not include every candidate, but attempts to speak to at least one from each coalition):

https://www.sawtivoice.org/webinar-series

Other helpful resources:

http://www.thepolicyinitiative.org/

https://today.lorientlejour.com/elections/

Some thawra (revolution) pages have linked to their own criteria of rating political coalitions. Including who they recommend voting for based on this criteria and the contextual sectarian power divisions in the voting district.

While we can't link it here, we encourage you to check them out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sawti Podcast: Minteshreen Mar 16, 2022

In this episode, we speak to Ghiya El-Assaad from Minteshreen on the political group's recently-formed coalition ahead of Lebanon's 2022 elections, lessons learned on recent criticisms, and how political parties and citizens can better engage in discussions with each other.

In this episode, we reference Minteshreen's political plan, which you can access, in Arabic, here, and in English, here.
Keep up with Minteshreen by checking out their website and social media platforms:

Website: https://minteshreen.com/ar/what-we-stand-for/how-we-got-here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minteshreen @minteshreen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minteshreen @minteshreen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/minteshreen @minteshreen

The Sawti Podcast is co-hosted by Tarek Khalil, Tamara Rasamny, and Samir Ballouz. Edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. Sting by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.

Though Sawti is an Impact Lebanon initiative and The Sawti Podcast stems from Sawti, there is no editorial control from Sawti or Impact Lebanon, and no reviewal of interviews or episodes before publishing from these groups.

Views discussed in this podcast do not represent Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.
Recent Unified Coalition Campaign 3:16

Coalition's vision 6:55

The reality of multiple opposition lists 8:12

Potential candidates 9:23

Minteshreen overview and values 11:30

Minteshreen's core principles 14:03

Internal structure and decision-making process 16:41.923 0:00

Minteshreen Politics and NGOs 26:36

Holding alternative parties to a higher standard 31:57

Lessons learned and holding discussions 41:00

Post-elections 47:48

Minteshreen town halls and programs 48:38

What motivates you to keep going? 50:09

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sawti Podcast: Citizens in a State (Mouwatinoun wa Mouwatinat fi Dawla) Mar 02, 2022

In this episode, we speak to Petra Samaha from Citizens in a State on the group's centralized program and how they are prioritizing one national program across Lebanon as opposed to regional coalitions or efforts. We address their rhetoric around Hezbollah and what it means to be striving for a civil state.
*Note: This episode has a video component. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ1uPAQXk4E

You can access Citizens in a State's electoral candidates through this link: https://qadreen2022.com/

To keep up with Citizens in a State, check out their website and social media channels:

Website: https://mmfidawla.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmfidawla @mmfidawla

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmfidawla @mmfidawla

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mmfidawla @mmfidawla

The Sawti Podcast is co-hosted by Tarek Khalil, Tamara Rasamny, and Samir Ballouz. Edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. Sting by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.

Views discussed in this podcast do not represent Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sawti Podcast: Madinati (Beirut Madinati) Feb 23, 2022

In this episode, we have a conversation with Hassan Ramadan from Madinati (formerly known as Beirut Madinati). We discuss topics from who Madinati is and how the party started a wave of hope in the 2016 municipal elections, engaging one of the largest municipal voter outcomes for a new political party, to how it decided to broaden its reach to focus on Lebanon, through its participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

We go over the recent change in the party’s name from Beirut Madinati to Madinati, how the group prioritizes a democratic exchange of ideas, and ongoing developments with their allies in preparing themselves for the parliamentary elections.
Keep up with Madinati on their website or social media channels:

Website: https://beirutmadinati.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beirutmadinati @BeirutMadinati

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beirutmadinati/ @BeirutMadinati

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeirutMadinati @BeirutMadinati

The Sawti Podcast is co-hosted by Tarek Khalil, Tamara Rasamny, and Samir Ballouz. Edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. Sting by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.

Views discussed in this podcast do not represent Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sawti Podcast: National Bloc Feb 16, 2022

In this episode, we speak to Mohammad Serhan from National Bloc about the political group's history, its recent reemergence into the political scene, its work in social justice issues like the LGBTQI community and women’s rights, politically engaging youth and the Lebanese diaspora, and the existential crisis facing Lebanon as we know it.

Mohammad talks about his journey into the activist and political scene, the dynamics of forming political coalitions in Lebanon, and how sometimes, we need to put personal opinions aside in order to unite and influence change from within the parliament.

To keep up with National Bloc, check out their website and social media channels:

Website: https://nationalbloc.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nationalbloc_lb @nationalbloc_lb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalbloc_lb/?hl=en @nationalbloc_lb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nationalbloc.lb/ @Nationalbloc.lb

The Sawti Podcast is co-hosted by Samir Ballouz, Tarek Khalil, and Tamara Rasamny. Edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. Sting by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.

Views discussed in this podcast do not represent Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.

Introduction to Mohammad Serhan 0:49

Introduction to National Bloc 2:34

How National Bloc has changed over time 6:57

National Bloc and banking secrecy 8:58

Connotation of the National Bloc and Christianity 10:40

How the National Bloc operates 15:14

Programs and what the group is working on 16:41

Diaspora programs and the diaspora's vote 23:57

National Identity of National Bloc 28:41

Women in politics 29:17

National Bloc's gender quota 31:09

Identifying candidates 32:11

Elections & Coalitions 33:54

Kataeb 38:57

Kulluna Irada and April 13 Coalition 40:25

Funding 42:11

Outcomes of elections 43:08

If you're skeptical to vote this is for you 47:50

Moments of hope 48:39

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sawti Podcast: LiHaqqi Feb 02, 2022

In this episode, we speak to Nay El-Rahi from LiHaqqi, a grassroots political organization that was formed prior to the 2018 elections by a group of young activists from the Chouf/Aley region.

Nay discusses the organization's work in recreating a new political identity, their views regarding pressure around opposition groups to unite, how traditional parties have hijacked the opposition, and how LiHaqqi refuses to compromise on its core values.

To keep up with LiHaqqi, check out their website and social media channels:
Website: http://lihaqqi.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lihaqqi/?hl=en @LiHaqqi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/li_haqqi?lang=en @Li_Haqqi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiHaqqi/ @LiHaqqi

We reference a report in the episode, "A Path for Political Change in Lebanon? Lessons and Narratives from the 2018 Elections" which you can read, here: https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/a-path-for-political-change-in-lebanon-lessons-and-narratives-from-the-2018-elections/

The Sawti Podcast is co-hosted by Samir Ballouz, Tarek Khalil, and Tamara Rasamny. Edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. Sting by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.

Though Sawti Voice is an Impact Lebanon initiative and The Sawti Podcast stems from Sawti, there is no editorial control from Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon, and no reviewal of interviews or episodes before publishing from these groups.

Views discussed in this podcast do not represent Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.

LiHaqqi core principles 7:26

LiHaqqi in 2018 parliamentary elections 9:53

2018 election-rigging 14:20

Coalition and lists - debunking myths 20:34

Kataeb and Hezbollah 22:05

Unification and stance on banks 23:32

Splitting the vote 25:08

Elections and partners 28:10

Political models in Lebanese history 30:56

Potential candidates and partners 38:22

LiHaqqi demographics 40:20

Candidate names? 43:26

Does LiHaqqi compromise? 45:56

Funding platforms: Kulluna Irada & Nahwal Watan 49:53

How does LiHaqqi receive funding? 51:36

A post-election LiHaqqi 52:12

Recommendations for listeners 54:18

A hopeful moment 57:55

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sawti Podcast: Tahalof Watani Jan 26, 2022

In this episode, we speak to Marc Geara from Tahalof Watani on how the political party is preparing for the elections, what they learned from the 2018 parliamentary elections and Marc's former experience running in the 2016 Beirut municipal election, and why it's important to remain hopeful despite Lebanon's collapse.
To keep up with Tahalof Watani's work, check out their website and social media pages:
Website: https://tahalofwatani.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tahalofwatani/ @TahalofWatani
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TahalofWatani @TahalofWatani

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ta7alofWatani @Ta7alofWatani

The Sawti Podcast is co-hosted by Samir Ballouz, Tarek Khalil, and Tamara Rasamny. Edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. Sting by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.

Views discussed in this podcast do not represent Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.

Introduction to Marc Geara 0:58

Introduction to Tahalof Watani 1:22

Tahalof Watani's values and aims 3:03

Tahalof Watani's role in the 2018 Parliamentary Elections 5:31

Coordination of groups in forming 2018 parliamentary coalitions 6:54

Diaspora outreach 9:48

Creating hope and encouraging voter participation 10:42

Kulluna Irada 12:26

Tahalof Watani's stance on coalitions and certain political parties 13:01

Kulluna Irada and Nahwal Watan 14:21

Marc's experience running with Beirut Madinati in 2016 Municipal Elections 15:29.

Distribution of votes in 2016 Municipal Elections 16:58

Potential candidates 19:47

Funding 20:45

Tahalof Watani's areas of influence 22:11

Timeline of coalitions and lists 22:38

Hope amidst a failing country 24:58

Reforms and Lebanon's recovery 27:02

Marc's expectations for the elections 28:58

Tahalof Watani's programs and ongoing work 33:29

April 13 coalition and Tahalof Watani as centrists 36:56

Kataeb and Hezbollah 41:59

On a positive note 47:17

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sawti Podcast: Mada Jan 19, 2022

In this episode, we speak to Mada's representative, Marwan Issa, on how university secular clubs turned into a nation-wide network, how secularism and democratic principles have taken over previously sectarian discussions on Lebanon's future, and how Mada is preparing for the Lebanese 2022 elections.

To keep up with Mada's work, check out their social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madanetwork/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadaNetwork/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadaNetworkLEB

The Sawti Podcast is an Impact Lebanon initiative. It's co-hosted by Samir Ballouz, Tarek Khalil, and Tamara Rasamny. Edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. Sting by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.
Views expressed in this podcast do not represent those of Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introduction to The Sawti Podcast Jan 19, 2022

The Sawti Podcast co-hosts explain what the aim of this podcast series is, what they hope to achieve, how the political scene has changed, and how they hope to bridge the gap between the Lebanese diaspora and the country's alternative political parties.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sawti Podcast trailer Jan 06, 2022

The Sawti Podcast is your guide to Lebanon's alternative political parties and the upcoming elections. Each episode introduces a political party, discussing the group's values, aims, and work in creating a better Lebanon.

Episodes are released every Wednesday. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode.
The Sawti Podcast is an Impact Lebanon initiative. It's co-hosted by Samir Ballouz, Tarek Khalil, and Tamara Rasamny. It's edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. The sting is produced by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.
Views expressed in this podcast do not represent those of Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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