Organisational Profile
The United Australian Lebanese Movement (UALM) is a public affairs
organisation that has a presence in almost every Australian State and Territory.
The UALM has a significant popular support base and a well-structured and
organised volunteer arm.
As proud Australians, we believe that Australia has an integral role to play
in the Middle East on an economic, social and political level. Viewed as honest
brokers at the United Nations, Australia can benefit immensely as well as
benefitting the Middle East by taking a more active role on certain issues.
The UALM was first registered in 1989 as the Lebanese Coordination Bureau in
Melbourne Victoria and within a decade had a presence throughout all of
Australia. It mobilised the Lebanese Diaspora and other community group groups
to raise the awareness of the foreign occupation that had befallen Lebanon and
campaigned for an Australian like system of democracy in Lebanon.
Since 2005, the UALM has focused on backing the forces of Change and Reform
in Lebanon as they attempt to quell the institutionalised corruption that
resulted from wars and occupation in previous decades. In addition to supporting
a just and humanitarian solution for the half a million Palestinian refugees
residing in Lebanon that would exclude their naturalisation in Lebanon at the
expense of the Lebanese indigenous population of 4 million; such an act would
not only skew the delicate demographic balance of the nation and destabilise the
region even further, but will also close the door on a sizable Diaspora hoping
to return.
More importantly, the UALM has supported the emergence of dialogue among
faiths and civilisations in the Middle East that has added a new level of
stability to an already volatile region.
Being a beacon of freedom, democracy and co-existence we believe Australia
has a viable role to play in the process.
The activities of the UALM the last two decades have included:
- Facilitation of Economic and Business forums and meetings from the
private and public sector.
- Sponsoring of Lebanese Politicians, Academics, Journalists and Public
Figures for lectures tours and community events throughout Australia.
- Sponsoring of Australian Politicians, Academics, Journalists and Public
Figures for lectures tours and community events throughout Lebanon and the
Middle East.
- Established various media outlets in the forms of newspapers, radio
programs and websites.
- Cultural activities such as Film Festivals and Cultural Events
promoting Lebanon in Australia and Australia in Lebanon.
The annual flagship events of the UALM include:
- Australia Day Awards ceremony honouring Australians of Lebanese origin
that have excelled in their service to Australia in various public fields.
- Australia Day March in various cities across Australia.
- Anzac Day Commemoration and joint wreath laying ceremonies in Australia
and in Lebanon where Australian soldiers served in both world wars.
- Annual Community Functions held throughout Australian cities.
For further information, please contact us.
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