Good Luck Mr. President

Years ago, while at the American University of Beirut, I had the chance to be a member of the Student Representative Council. An honor which was given to me by the students themselves. Those that saw in me the person who could represent them the most.

A great experience indeed. One of those that boost your confidence. But surely one of those that freak you out. Knowing that you have to do your best to prove your initial intentions.

It starts with the simple fact that you need to challenge yourselves and the other nominees. Then comes the positive goal of making it into the Council. Then comes the work and the responsibilities. Then comes the politics and the headache.

Henry Kissinger once said that university politics are vicious precisely because the stakes are so small. Imagine that even such a high ranked politician spoke about this kind of politics. Then you could say to yourselves:

How crucial it is!

This subject came to my mind knowing that now it is election season around the universities based in Lebanon. While politicians are battling each other in their offices and on television, students are taking it to their university halls and classes. They want to prove that their leaders are there. Even around the smallest fields.

Who is going to win? Not the one who sticks to his beliefs and relies on the followers of his beliefs.

Take it from me. When I ran for a seat in the Student Representative Council of the American University of Beirut I had no beliefs. What I had was a program which only concerns the students in their university. And that is what elections should be all about.

But, I guess I was diplomatic enough to win votes from all around. Even from parties involved in historic conflicts. I remember the midnight calls I used to get from activists from all sides telling me that they were going to include me on their lists. Was it wrong to accept? Almost ten years later ... I don’t think so. I had been supported and elected by all parties. The ones with whom I share some beliefs and the ones with whom I share nothing at all.

But when does the headache hit? Later during the SRC meetings when those same parties are fighting over some new laws. Most of the time, a blank paper was there. Mine! Playing it safe to say that I’m with everyone and against no one, but I’m rather there for someone: for the students.

That wasn’t easy in practice. Not easy at all.

I fear that this might happen in my country on a bigger scale. The next President. Different parties are working on agreeing on one person for all. I assume this person will have, in a way, the same characteristics I had when I was still in university. But once elected, what will he do? Serve the people?

Unfortunately serving the people for one party is acting against the people for another.

Good luck,

Mr. President!