National Council for Scientic Research

The National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) is a public Lebanese institution established in 1962 and assigned with the task of formulating national science and technology policy, initiating, guiding, supporting and conducting scientific research programmes and activities in Lebanon. It advises the Government on all science and technology issues. CNRS conducts research through its specialised centres and supports research projects having an impact on the socio-economic development of the country. CNRS in the last decade has been managing several international projects funded by different donors, achieving remarkable results and gaining key position in the R&D sector in the region. At national level its activities are related to:

• Scholarship Grant Program for advanced studies and research;
• Research Grant Program for research support;
• CNRS Associate Research Units Program in cooperation with top ranking laboratories in the country

In the Water-Drop project, CNRS will implement a pilot action to analyse and monitor 3 Lebanese rivers and their adjoining coastal areas. For this action the CNRS will take advantage of its marine research vessel, CANA. Thanks to its high level technical expertise the CNRS will be able to coordinate the WP5 ensuring the scientific interconnection between the pilot action and the DSS implementation. Moreover it will strictly cooperate with the Partner 3 PDA in defining the Road Map and the normative improvements needed for enhancing the water management in Lebanon.

Personnel

Stefano Lelli

After obtaining his MS in Bio-ecology, he started working as a teacher in a professional school located in the far suburbs of Rome where the social discomfort is tangible. In 2006, he left his home Country to encounter the critical conditions of Lebanese fishermen, while working with an Italian NGO in the field of the cooperation to development. Managing projects, collaborating with public institutions and policy makers while continuing his research activities; he was able to influence management and governance of the fisheries sector in Lebanon. Coordinating the CANA-CNRS project, he has been able to put his scientific knowledge and management skills at the service of the Lebanese marine environment. The recent collaboration with the CIHEAM introduced him to super-national organisations and their capabilities to affect – when interventions are properly conceived and implemented - actual conditions of people.