In its quest to establish this Center, NDU relies on its research experience in the field of the specializations it offers in general, and in the fields of general public interest in particular. The University acquired its experience in the latter through the research and dialogue program it launched ten years ago under the heading: General Public Interest, Needs, Research and Expectations. The University has persevered in its aim and is pursuing the implementation of this program with vigor.
In addition to the researches that have been carried out, the program has included seminars and conferences that discussed the results of the studies and drew up practical procedures that aim at boosting the process of development and ensuring the establishment of a right democratic path that will encourage general public participation.
This plan has actually opened new fields for the development of scientific and practical research and for the promotion of cooperation between academic researchers and decision-makers in the political, economical, social, health, and educational sectors. This cooperation has been embodied in a dialogue over experiences and experiments in the concerned fields, the researches conducted on them, and the suggested strategies and processes for future development and change.
Furthermore, NDU has worked on promoting the relations between the methodology of research and the need for dialogue to draw attention to public matters such as traffic, water, electricity, telecommunication, etc… NDU has also been aware of the need for developing an infrastructure for education, work, city, health and technological changes. There has been particular attention given to their repercussions on Lebanon and the relation between specializations and professions.
In our focus on this path we aspire to building an interconnected approach for treating any subject related to individuals and groups in their public life inside their community. Hence, it will be possible to integrate infrastructure, construction, social, economic and educational policies in the framework of a unified work plan for the treatment of public problems at all levels wherever they arise.