Eliane Fersan
Who Is She
Personal information
What I have done for Lebanon
She served Lebanon by informing foreign policy on Lebanese development priorities and human right improvement opportunities. She invested in Zouk Mikael’s youth and local government to bridge the gap between citizens and politicians by leading a participatory democracy initiative, which was awarded a top 15 world deserving initiative in urban human development. She educated and mentored over 200 young women and supported them on their path to Leadership. She continues to elevate the voice and story of Lebanon and the Lebanese in international fora and raises funds and support for Lebanese non-governmental organizations in the United States and Europe.
Contact information / Private
Contact information / Work
Social Media
Education
- Master's degree (D.E.A), History (focus on Migration), 2006, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK).
- Bachelor degree, History, 2003, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK).
Areas of expertise
- History & Migration
- Governance
- Education
- Activism & Volunteerism
- Youth & Development
- Culture
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Arabic
- English
- French
- Spanish
Work history
- Director, 2018-present, Immigrant and Global Migration Initiative, University of Southern California – Los Angeles.
- CEO, 2015-present, Global Nexus Solutions, LLC – Los Angeles.
- Advisor, 2015-present, Youth and Culture Center (YCC) – Zouk Mikaël.
- President, 2008-present, Lebanon Development Union (LDU).
- Editor, 2005–present, Anwale Magazine.
- Program Manager, 2009-2014, Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), US Embassy, Lebanon.
- Director, 2008-2014, Youth and Culture Center (YCC) – Zouk Mikaël.
- History Instructor, 2008-2012, American University of Science and Technology (AUST).
- Assistant Secretary General, 2005-2008, General Secretariat of Catholic Schools in Lebanon.
- Protocol Officer, 2002–2004, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Youth and Sports, Association Libanaise des Bénévoles.
Honorary office and memberships
- LA Chapter Steering Committee Member of Eisenhower Fellowships. 2017-present.
- Founding & Board member of the Lebanon Development Union (LDU), 2008-present.
- Founding member of the Lebanese Association of Volunteers, 2002-present.
- Research Affiliate at the Lebanese Emigration Research Center (LERC), 2003-2012.
Productions
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1. Fersan, Eliane, and Kai Golden. 2020. “Trump’s Xenophobia will Exacerbate our Public Health Emergency.” Forthcoming.
2. Fersan, Eliane, and Kai Golden. 2019. “Three Reasons to Reverse the Department of Homeland Security’s Migrant Protection Protocol.” CSII Immigrant Integration Wire. University of Southern California.
3. Fersan, Eliane, Blanca Ramirez, and Jody Agius Vallejo. 2018. “The New Executive Order is No Solution: Three Facts on Family Separation and Detention.” CSII Immigrant Integration Wire. University of Southern California.
4. Fersan, Eliane. 2010. “Syro‐Lebanese Migration (1880‐Present): “Push and “Pull” Factors.” Middle East Institute Viewpoints, Special Edition: 13-17.
5. Fersan, Eliane. 2007. “Soie et émigration, impact socio démographique sur le village de Zouk Mikaël.” Anwale Magazine 2: 7-9 .
6. Fersan, Eliane. 2006. “L’émigration libanaise aux États-Unis, d’après les archives du Ministère des Affaires Étrangères de France (1920 – 1931).” M.A. Thesis, Université Saint Esprit de Kaslik.
7. Fersan, Eliane. 2005. “Les immigrés syro-libanais au Brésil de 1920 à 1926: Perception du corps consulaire français,” Lebanese Emigration Research Center. Notre Dame University - Louaize.
1. Speaker, Global Challenges: Migration and Sustainability. MyPhy Women’s Leadership Conference, Geneva, Switzerland. November 5, 2019.
2. Keynote Speaker, Refugees and Migration: The Global Challenge and the Local Impact. United Nations Association of the USA, SoCal Division, Los Angeles. September 18, 2019.
3. Speaker, Refugees and Global Migration. Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles. May 2, 2019.
4. Speaker, On the Fringe, Finding Stability in the Margins. USC Harman Polymathic Academy, Catalina Island. March 23, 2019.
5. Organizer, Sanctuary Cities: Safeguarding Constitutional Protections During a Hostile Administration. USC Gould School of Law, Los Angeles. March 28, 2019.
6. Co-Organizer, Cities of Globalization. USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Department of Middle East Studies, Los Angeles. March 26, 2019.
7. Speaker, Immigrant and Refugee Women: The Backbone of Communities in Transition. Women’s Leadership Conference, Eisenhower Fellowships, London. October 26, 2018.
8. Keynote Speaker, “Human Migration – Causes, Consequences and Community Responses.” International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, Los Angeles. September 27, 2018.
9. Speaker, “The Maronites of Cyprus: Perception of the French Consulate of Larnaca, (1660 – 1708).” Casteliotessa Center, Nicosia. February 2011.
10. Speaker, “Brain Drain as an Expanding Lebanese Reality.” American University for Science and Technology, Beirut. May 2008.
11. Speaker, “The Syro-Lebanese Immigrants into the United States of America 1920 – 1931 Perception of the French Diplomatic Body.” The Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) annual conference, Boston. November 18 – 21, 2006
Lectures/ papers presented:
- Brain Drain as an Expanding Lebanese Reality, at the American University for Science and Technology (AUST), Beirut, May 2008.
- The Syro-Lebanese Immigrants into the United States of America 1920 – 1931: Perception of the French Diplomatic Body, Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) annual conference, November 18 – 21, Boston, 2006.
- Les immigrés Syro-Libanais au Brésil de 1920 à 1926, Perception du Corps Consulaire Français (in French), International Conference on Arab Immigration in the Americas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Corumba, M.S., Brazil, September 28 – October 1st, 2005.
Awards and Distinctions
- Inclusive Global Leadership Initiative 2017 Fellow, University of Denver, Denver, August 2017.
- Eisenhower Fellow 2015, Global Women Leaders Program, Philadelphia, October 2015.
- Dutch MSP Fellowship, Radio Netherlands Training Center (RNTC), Hilversum, May 2015.
- Featured among the top 40 Lebanese Female Role Models in the UNESCO Career Guidance from Grassroots, 2013.
- Mission Honor Award, Department of State – USA, US Embassy, Beirut, October 2014.
- Laureate of the MENA Women Leaders Influentials Program Fellowship, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 2014.
- MEPI Lebanon Alumni Association Community Ambassador Award, November 2013.
- Mission Honor Award, Department of State – USA, US Embassy, Beirut, October 2013.
- Meritorious Honor Award, Department of State - USA, US Embassy, Beirut, December 2012.
- Benjamin Franklin Award, Department of State - USA, US Embassy, Beirut, January 2012.
- Meritorious Honor Award, Department of State - USA, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, December 2010.
- Recognition Award from former First Lady Mrs. Andrée Lahoud for contributing to the success of Arab 1st Ladies Summit: Arab Women and the Armed Conflicts, 2004.
- Recognition Award from the Minister of Culture for contributing to the success of the 9th Francophone Summit, 2002.
