A “Vision for Libya: Towards Prosperity, Justice and Strong State Institutions” was unveiled on Saturday by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). According to a Commission statement, this vision was developed as part of the Libya Socioeconomic Dialogue Project and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The project was carried out in partnership with ESCWA and with the support of a Libyan consulting group, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The Libya Socioeconomic Dialogue is an exclusively Libyan project focusing on all aspects: institutional, academic, consultative, technical and in the dialogue.
In order to bring about comprehensive, balanced and stable development and prevent a return to war, the national dialogue brought Libyans from all sectors to address questions of sustained social and economic development and sound governance.
This vision constitutes the first phase of the project, providing informed options for strategic policies. The aim is to move from the logic of rent-seeking, exploitation and fragmentation to a state of institutions that follow the principles of justice and equity, universal rights and fundamental freedoms within a productive, diversified and renewable economy that establishes a peaceful and prosperous society.
The formulation of this vision was based mainly on open discussions among Libyans through the ESCWA platform, the statement said.
These discussions were spread over 8 open virtual dialogue sessions attended by 262 Libyan participants and broadcast live via social media, reaching more than 38,760 viewers who interacted through comments and shares.
The project team also provided an opportunity for Libyans to express their opinions in writing, through eight surveys that included questions related to the topics raised in each dialogue session.
More than 850 written contributions were received and used in preparing and drafting the vision.