UN Special Coordinator Joanna Wronecka held a round of meetings with prominent Lebanese intellectuals and academics on the role that they can play in inspiring Lebanese authorities and political parties in reinforcing state institutions during this time of crisis and promoting a culture of peace. In separate meetings with Mr. Joe Bahout of the Issam Fares Institute at AUB, Mr. Karim Bitar of the University Saint Joseph and Professor Imad Salameh of the Lebanese American University, discussions focused on how to prevent state weakness from giving rise to alternative structures or further radicalization in society.  During a visit to La Sagesse University, the Special Coordinator met with the Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations Professor Antonios Abou Kasm and a group of students to congratulate them on the organization of a recent conference on Resolution 1701 and to discuss the role of the faculty in bridging across society and promoting conflict resolution and respect for international law.