Within the framework of the International Master of University Cooperation for Peace and Development, the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at the Lebanese University, organized a Cultural Week on Mediterranean issues from January 18 to 21, 2011.

The first lecture was given by Dr. Fadi Abou Mrad, a specialist in neurology, entitled “Ethical Health Issues in Lebanon”, wherein Dr. Abou Mrad tackled the different ethical concepts and criteria necessary to found an appropriate health system and unveiled the weaknesses of the current health system. The following day, Dr. Georges Corm, researcher, author and former Minister of Finance, delivered a speech entitled “Clash of Civilizations or Clash of Historical Traumatized Memories in the Mediterranean”, in which he highlighted the deconstruction of certain concepts which contributed in building a collective and individual memory and have become the main source of conflicts in the Mediterranean. Corm pointed out as well the necessity of learning how to face conflicts in their real dimension without having to go through the labyrinth of sectarianism, ideologies and dogmatism and resolve problems through rational and ethical negotiations. On the third day of the Cultural Week, Dr. Antoine Messarra, lecturer at the Lebanese University and Saint Joseph University, and member of the Constitutional Council, presented a speech entitled “The Mediterranean Cultural Heritage: the Freedom Spirit and the Law or Chances of Meeting between the Two Shores” in which he underlined the necessity of reestablishing a memory for the peoples of both shores of the Mediterranean which had been fragmented and fractured. Finally, a speech entitled “Will the Land-Sea Dichotomy Play a Role in the Creation of a Mediterranean Identity?” was delivered by Mr. Georges Yarack, PhD Student in Philosophy.