Memberships & Networks

Lebanese American University (LAU) actively engages in a wide range of international, regional, and national networks and partnerships that advance sustainability, research, policy dialogue, and community impact. Through these engagements, LAU strengthens its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promotes knowledge exchange, and fosters multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Memberships

LAU is part of recognized sustainability and global engagement networks that support its commitment to responsible governance, sustainable development, and institutional leadership.

Global Sustainability and United Nations Networks

• Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI)
  LAU is part of the global HESI community, a United Nations-led initiative that connects higher education institutions committed to advancing sustainable development through education, research, and campus operations.
  https://sdgs.un.org/HESI
• United Nations Global Compact Network Lebanon
  LAU is a member of the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon, which promotes responsible and sustainable practices aligned with the UN Global Compact principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
  https://ungcnlebanon.org

Notably, LAU’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Nadim Farajalla, serves on the Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon, reflecting the university’s active leadership role in advancing sustainability at the national level.
https://ungcnlebanon.org/who-we-are/#board-of-directors

Partnerships

In addition to formal memberships, LAU maintains strong partnerships with international organizations, government entities, research institutions, and civil society organizations to advance sustainability across multiple domains.

International Organizations and Development Partners

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  LAU has established a formal partnership with UNDP to support youth empowerment and sustainable development initiatives, including leadership programs and national engagement platforms.
  https://www.undp.org/lebanon/press-releases/undp-and-lebanese-american-university-partner-enhance-development-efforts-and-youth-support-lebanon
• United Nations and international development organizations
  LAU collaborates with UN agencies and international partners on sustainability-related initiatives, capacity building, and policy engagement.

National and Governmental Collaboration

LAU works closely with national stakeholders to support policy development, research, and implementation aligned with sustainability priorities, including:

• Lebanese ministries (e.g., Environment, Energy and Water, Public Health)
• Public institutions and national development bodies

These collaborations contribute to national sustainability strategies, research, and capacity building.

Research and Academic Collaboration

• National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS – Lebanon)
  LAU collaborates with CNRS and other research institutions on environmental, social, and policy-related research initiatives.
• Regional and international academic partnerships
  LAU engages in interdisciplinary collaborations that support innovation, sustainability research, and knowledge exchange.

Civil Society and NGO Engagement

LAU actively partners with civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations to support community engagement and sustainability initiatives, including:

• Environmental NGOs
• Social development organizations
• Community-based initiatives

These partnerships support awareness campaigns, field implementation, and citizen engagement aligned with sustainability objectives.

Institutional Commitment

Through its memberships and partnerships, LAU reinforces its commitment to sustainability by:

• Aligning institutional efforts with global sustainability frameworks
• Strengthening collaboration across sectors and stakeholders
• Supporting research, education, and community engagement
• Enhancing its contribution to national and global sustainable development

These efforts are embedded within LAU’s Sustainability Strategy, which emphasizes partnerships and multi-stakeholder collaboration as a key driver for achieving long-term environmental, social, and economic impact.