WLCU Portfolio

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WLCU Portfolio

Ver. May 15th, 2025

Historical Brief

The Lebanese have gathered in various countries of the diaspora since the beginning of their migration and founded associations and clubs. Then, unification movements arose in Central America, Mexico, and Argentina to unite the largest number of these institutions around goals and interests of a national Lebanese character, the most important of which was the Interamerican Federation of Lebanese Entities (FIEL), established in Havana – Cuba on 01/31/1959 On the initiative of Simon Boustani, Dr. Natalio Chidiac, and Dr. Alfredo Abu Zeid. They held their first conference in January 1960 in Mexico City.

In Lebanon, several attempts were made to bring together expatriates and strengthen their relations on solid and organized foundations. The idea of establishing the Lebanese Union in the world received a comprehensive response among the Lebanese in the homeland and in the diaspora, and this response was demonstrated by unanimous support within the Council of Ministers who decided in its session held on August 29, 1959 to hold a conference for Lebanese expatriates.

On September 15th , 1960, the conference was held in the halls of UNESCO in Beirut, attended by expatriates who came to Lebanon from all over the world. It was opened by His Excellency President Fouad Chehab and concluded by Prime Minister Saeb Salam. After successive sessions, the conference decided to establish the Lebanese Union in the world

On August 20, 1964, the Second World Conference was held in Beirut in the presence of delegates from all diaspora countries and representatives from all branches of the Union in the world.
After several meetings held by the working committees in the UNESCO Palace, the delegates elected on August 22, 1964, the first international council of the Union, in which the Union’s affairs were entrusted in accordance with the new statute, where the first article stipulated that the Union was non-governmental, non-political and non-sectarian.
Later on, the name was changed to “The World Lebanese Cultural Union,” and the Union was registered in Lebanon on 12/13/1973 under the No. 363; on 12/02/2007 a Government decree recognized the WLCU as the sole representative of the Lebanese Diaspora.

In brief, the project of the World Lebanese Cultural Union, was born in Latin America in 1959, and realized in Lebanon in 1960.

It is a civil, independent,
non-governmental, non-political,
non-sectarian or ethnic,
non-profit institution.

The WLCU is considered the only representative of the Lebanese expatriates spread throughout the world.

On June 17, 2009, the WLCU became an INGO associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations (UN – DPI), that became later the Department of Global Communications (DGC), and accredited at ECOSOC-UN since 1/8/2011.

Later on, the WLCU became a Trans Global Corporation (TGC).
It is registered in New York, and is a listening member at the UN assembly.

The evolution of the WLCU Logo along the years

The current one:

WLCU GOALS

Some of the WLCU goals are :
To strengthen the spirit of citizenship and loyalty to Lebanon among all its members who are spread throughout the world.
To strengthen ties of affinity between Lebanese expatriates and motherland, — – To connect people of Lebanese descent with their cultural and ancestors’ roots.
To disseminate the Lebanese heritage and culture in the countries of diaspora as well as Lebanon’s cultural and humanitarian role throughout history in the service of all humanity.
To strengthen the cultural, civil and social relationship with the people of the host countries to build up good relations of friendship, cooperation and partnership between Lebanon and these countries, showing the real image of Lebanon, image of the Culture, of the Civilization and peace.
To emphasizing support for Lebanon’s entity, sovereignty and independence.
The WLCU works also at the international community to achieve Lebanon’s sovereignty to be a homeland for all Lebanese, regardless of their sectarian or political affiliations.

Every Lebanese or Lebanese descendant has the right to join the WLCU and to contribute to achieving these goals.

WLCU branches around the world

Today, the WLCU has branches distributed in 50 countries and States in 6 diaspora continents: Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and Brazil (due to the size of its diaspora representation).

The Lebanese community in each country is represented by branches, associations or clubs, and together they form a National Council or State Council. They all should respect the WLCU Internal regulations.

At the continental level, the National and State Councils elect a Regional Council.

WLCU World Conference (a.k.a. World Congress)

Every two years, the WLCU General Assembly, composed of the National and State Councils and the World Body, holds its World Conference and elects its new administration** which sets a program for its work.

**The elected positions are : the World President, the World Vice-President, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, the Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and the Chairperson of the World Council for Youth.

The National or State Council duties

To sign a MOU and get a License to represent the WLCU locally
To undertake at least one annual activity that it chooses from a group of activities that have become traditional at the WLCU (for example, the election of Miss Emigrant, the Lebanese Day, the Lebanese Festival, a dinner for the community and its friends on the Independence Day or any other occasion, an employment or training fair, Cultural events, Seminars on economic cooperation and trade exchange, on reclaiming the Lebanese citizenship, etc,
To participate at least once a year in the WLCU world councils, which are held several times a year,
To pay the annual membership to the WLCU world treasurer,
Transfer of power according to the internal regulations.

An overview of the WLCU activities

Organizing Miss Lebanon Emigrant contest
The Lebanese Day or The Lebanese Festival
LEBolution
Various Cultural events organised by the chapters

Plead before the UN assembly for the return of Syrian refugees to their home country
Plead before the international community for an International investigation about the Beirut port explosion of August 4th, 2020
Calling all the Lebanese to register their marriage and the birth of their children on the Lebanese Civil Registry, through the Lebanese consulates
Plead before the Lebanese government the restoration of the Lebanese Nationality for those who lost it because their parents didn’t register them on the Lebanese Civil Register, …
The Lebanese Diaspora Fund (in process)
The WLCU digital Membership Card (explained at the end of this document)
The Lebanese Diaspora Card (in process)

Some of previous major achievements:

The WLCU had a major role in getting for the Lebanese living abroad the right to vote in the diplomatic representations in their country of residence, to elect their representatives in the Lebanese parliament.

The WLCU collected in 2009
USD 125,000 to equip
Ain Ebel Hospital

Some recent achievements:

After Beirut Port explosion of August 4th, the WLCU chapters sent medications to several NGOs in Lebanon (like Medonation, Beit Albaraka, Baytna Baytak, …) for redistribution
In September 2024, The WLCU stood
in solidarity with the people of
the South of Lebanon and visited
some of them in a public school
to provide them with some basic
necessities and milk for children
and launched a fundraising campaign
to fund more humanitarian actions in Lebanon.

WLCU chapters, alongside other associations in several countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, sent several dozens of tons of humanitarian aid to Lebanon via flights organized by the governments of the host countries to repatriate their citizens from Lebanon.

During the crisis, the WLCU also distributed food aid and cleaning supplies to families displaced from Qlaway, Bistiyat (South Lebanon), and Hizzin (Baalbek District, Bekaa) to various areas such as Chouf, Aley, Beirut, Metn, Haret Sakher – Jounieh (Public School), and Tripoli. Additionally, heating fuel was secured for families in Snnayya and Bislaya and for the electricity generator of the Al-Ayshiyeh dispensary.

On March 21st, 2025, a delegation from the WLCU conducted a field tour in southern Lebanon, providing in-kind assistance to those in need. The tour covered several towns and villages, including Ain Ebel, Rmeish, and Al-Qawzah, where heating fuel vouchers were distributed to 80 families. The delegation also visited the town of Debel, where the WLCU contributed to a project supplying its artesian well with solar energy, and Ain Al-Delb, where solar-powered lighting equipment was provided for the main road.

The WLCU World Body

The WLCU World commissions and committees (TGC legal structure)

Regional representations (TGC legal structure)

Regional council of Africa
Regional council of Australia and New Zealand
Regional council of Brazil
Regional council of Europe
Regional council of Hispanic America
Regional council of North America

Every Regional council is lead by a board, composed from the Nationals and States councils’ presidents and have a Regional Secretary, in collaboration with the World Secretary General

The World Commissions could have sub-Committees as per the need

The World Commissions and committees:

The Commission on International Relations (associated with the DGC and accredited at ECOSOC of the UN)

Chief Administrator officer of the WLCU NGO Committee at UN
The Advocacy Group

The Commission for International Communications

The Commission for Social Affairs

Committee for Miss Lebanon Emigrant

The Commission for Cultural heritage

The Educational Committee
The Lebanese Music heritage committee (in progress)

The Commission for Business and Economics

The business and finance committee

The Commission for Protocol and Code of Ethics

The Commission for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

The Commission on Membership Affairs

The Commission on Archive

The Specialized Committees, attached to the Secretariat General, are as per the need:

The Committee for Registering the Lebanese abroad on the Lebanese Civil register
The Committee for Restoring the Lebanese Nationality
The Committee for follow up on LEBolution project
The Committee for preparations to the Parliament Elections of Lebanon of 2026
The Committee for application of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals
The Marketing Committee
The Social Media Committee
The Social Events and Meeting committee

WLCU / ULCM Application and Membership digital card

App. to be used for the WLCU digital services

The 2023 Exceptional World Congress in Mexico (February 2023) has determined by voting that the individual annual dues are $30 per year.

WLCU Membership Card Benefits

Membership card grants holder the following benefits:

Proof that an individual is a member of the WLCU and allows members to participate in official WLCU meetings, functions, and social events,
Grants holder the ability to vote in WLCU elections in accordance with the WLCU constitution,
Grants holder the ability to run for an official position at WLCU elections in accordance with the WLCU constitution,
Offers discounts on purchases at participating merchants worldwide. Save on Airlines, hotels, travel agencies, dining, retail shops, services, and events all over the world,
and on social events: Galas, picnics, etc… (see our Business partners and their offers)
Allows Youth holder to Join LEBolution and in Miss Lebanese Emigrants contest,
Earn STEAM scholarships: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics,
Enables professional networking,
and many other benefits … … …

To download the application

In line with the resolutions of the WLCU 23rd World Congress promoting the integration of new technologies in WLCU administrative operations, all WLCU members worldwide are urged to participate by downloading and registering for the WLCU digital membership card.

This application will streamline most of the administrative procedures of the WLCU and the membership card will entitle its holders to discounts from various brands in a progressive manner.

To download the corresponding application on your smartphone and complete your registration, please select one of the links below:

For Apple (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/mx/app/wlcu-member-card/id1622468115?l=en

For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.wlcu.memberscard2022

WLCU World Body news are available on its following official pages:

And a monthly Newsletter is available on 👉