Shaped by her childhood in the midst of Lebanon’s civil war, Léa Baroudi has turned the scars of her country into a source of hope. As the founder of MarchLebanon, she uses art, culture, and reconstruction to reconcile former enemies and build a shared future.

This Lebanese woman in her forties grew up during the civil war that ravaged her country. Forced to flee with her family, she spent several years in Montreal, where she immersed herself in the works of Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot. “I’ve always been fascinated by human nature. I wanted to understand why some people do bad things,” says Léa, who later pursued a psychology-focused option at the American University of Beirut.

Eager to leave Lebanon again and deeply connected to Paris, a city she knew well, Léa joined HEC Paris, where she thrived in its cosmopolitan environment. After formative years working at Deloitte, she returned to Lebanon. “In my family, we didn’t really talk about politics. My parents had friends from all sects. When I went to university, I was shocked to realize that the war hadn’t truly ended and that its wounds would be passed down from generation to generation.” This realization led her to organize discussion groups for young people, an isolated initiative that soon gained momentum.

The media took notice, Léa secured funding, and MarchLebanon was born in 2012. “March represents spring, renewal, and a second chance,” she explains. Determined to make a difference, Léa went to Tripoli in northern Lebanon, where latent conflict continued to devastate communities. “I strongly believe in art and culture as tools for mediation,” she says. Her efforts led to the creation of War and Love on the Rooftop, a play featuring 16 former fighters turned actors. Once sworn enemies, these individuals opened a café on Syria Street in Tripoli, a former frontline. Despite frequent attacks, the café endured. In 2016, Léa and MarchLebanon launched a reconstruction program there.

“The goal was to bring together women, who have no real role in this part of the country and are confined to their homes, with former fighters. The women learned graphic design, while the men were trained in construction.” This initiative later expanded to include deradicalization and conflict resolution programs. Today, Alawites and Sunnis, who once lived in hatred of each other, now work and learn side by side.

Léa’s impact has earned her numerous awards, and her association has worked with over 500 former fighters, including Afghans, Syrians, and Iraqis. From theater productions to renovations and soccer tournaments, countless initiatives have been realized thanks to her determination and courage. This alumna’s work exemplifies the power of resilience and unity in the face of division.

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