The Lebanese Brain Drain
by Joey Ayoub
Take Back Parliament (TBP)’s expatriate section has released a video detailing the figures behind Lebanon’s infamous flight of civilians.
“The Lebanese people are scattered around the world [On Screen: Central Africa - 68,000] and the Lebanese community is larger abroad than at home. [Northern Africa - 14,000] But how did it all begin? [Scandinavian States - 108,000] Between 1860 and 1914, under Ottoman rule, around 330,000 Lebanese emigrated. [France - 225,000] Between 1945 and 1975, about 185,000 Lebanese emigrated because of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the tense political situation in Lebanon. [Europe - 430,000; Canada - 270,000; USA - 2,300,000] But during the Civil War alone, about 990,000 Lebanese, or about 40% of the population, fled between 1975 and 1990. [Mexico - 240,000; Caribbean Islands - 510,000; Venezuela - 344,000] We all know that expatriation is still ongoing, despite the absence of studies and statistics, because no one cares [Brazil - 5,800,000; Argentina - 1,200,000] Warlords, in times of war and of peace, are driving the Lebanese youth away [Latin America - 8,584,000; Australia - 435,000] And who remains? And who’s responsible? [Saudi Arabia - 120,000] They took your son away, so take your vote away! [Arab World - 265,000] It’s about time that the young expatriates come back to their homeland and live there in dignity [Total - 12,369,000] It’s about time that someone asks about them. It’s really about time. www.vote2013.org www.facebook.com/vote2013“
You can also add them on Skype (vote2013) and join their meeting every Saturday at 6pm Beirut Time, and follow them on Twitter.
2 Responses to “The Lebanese Brain Drain”
Reblogged this on Ned Hamson Second Line View of the News.
You’ve probably seen the first video, but if not… check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4uMY2IF9sY