As Lebanon continues to navigate political, economic, and social challenges, one question remains central to the country's future: what role will young people play in shaping what comes next?
This report takes viewers inside ParliYouth 2026, an initiative by Next Big Thing that aims to empower young Lebanese citizens and strengthen their participation in public life. More than a simulation of political processes, the program seeks to create meaningful pathways for youth engagement, leadership development, and involvement in decision-making.
Featuring interviews with Member of Parliament Mark Daou, Nadine El Shawi representing the Ministry of AI and Technology, Angie Takouzli, Project Manager at Next Big Thing, and ParliYouth 2026 participant Yara Wanna, the report explores the opportunities and challenges facing Lebanese youth today.
The discussion examines the gap between youth potential and youth participation, the barriers that often discourage young people from engaging in civic and political life, and the importance of creating spaces where new generations can contribute their ideas, perspectives, and leadership.
The report also highlights a growing conversation around hope, belonging, and responsibility. At a time when many young people consider leaving Lebanon in search of opportunities elsewhere, ParliYouth 2026 encourages participants to see themselves not only as observers of change, but as active contributors to it.
Through personal reflections and expert insights, this report asks an important question: how can Lebanon create a future in which young people are not only represented, but empowered to help shape the decisions that define their country's future?
