The Lebanese Research Center for Migration and Diaspora Studies (LERC) is an academic initiative of Notre Dame University (NDU). The creation of the Center is the direct result of NDU’s awareness of the Lebanese emigrants’ contribution to their ancestral land and to their new home countries. It is also the result of NDU’s awareness of a renewed interest in global identity, ancestral roots and genealogical heritage. LERC currently is operating under the Umbrella of the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLPS).