Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, Dr Ghassan Salamé, urges the Arab world to reclaim culture as a force for identity, unity, and transformation amid rising instability.

Culture is not a luxury — it is a way to know oneself and a key tool for overcoming crisis, said His Excellency Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, at the Arab Media Forum in Dubai, held as part of the ongoing Arab Media Summit.

Speaking in a session titled ‘Culture for Peace and Prosperity’, Salamé — former UN envoy and seasoned academic — explored themes of conflict, political reform, and the shifting foundations of identity. 

From the unresolved crises in Syria and Lebanon to the rise of populism and the erosion of shared identity across the region, Salamé argued that culture must be reclaimed as a force for cohesion.

He described identity as fluid — made up of diverse, interconnected elements that are constantly changing — and said the 21st century is an era in which identity is no longer fixed, but complex and continually evolving. “The best way to express freedom today is through the individual's ability to shape this flexible material we call identity,” he said, noting that Arab culture, in its golden era — typically linked to the Renaissance period spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries — provided space for such complexity to thrive.

Reflecting on the collapse of major 20th-century ideologies such as communism, Salamé remarked that throughout history, “when ideologies collapse, people turn to culture — particularly its solid elements — in search of meaning.”

He noted a shift in perception: whereas people once feared politics might suppress culture, the greater concern today is that politics is using culture to justify its actions.

Salamé also warned against identity regression and defensive politics, suggesting that the failure lies in prioritising affiliations over values. “We must place emphasis not on someone’s sex, race, or nationality, but on how they think and what they say,” he said.

On Lebanon, Salamé confirmed that he remains deeply involved in Lebanon’s political and financial reform process.

 “We’ve experienced a free fall — our financial system and banks have collapsed. We are now working to restore the economic system, rebuild sectors, and create an environment where tourism can once again become a major source of income.”

Dr. Salamé highlighted Egypt as a key stabilising force in he region. He noted that, despite its economic and demographic pressures, Egypt’s strategic understanding of both regional and international dynamics continues to safeguard its stability — a stability further reinforced by significant investments from GCC countries, which, he said, benefit both Egypt and the wider region.

Dr Salamé stressed that, although transformation is happening rapidly across the region — in places like Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine — there remains limited awareness of what this transformation actually entails. “We are part of a changing world, and global shifts are the biggest driver of regional change.”

He also criticised outdated geopolitical frameworks. “Old policies used by superpowers no longer apply. These powers themselves are now run by people who do not trust one another. Major global institutions, including the UN Security Council, are failing.”

Despite the many challenges, Dr Salamé concluded on a cautiously hopeful note. He praised today’s youth for their sense of realism, in contrast to his own generation, which he described as a “victim of ideology.”

“Young people today are grounded. They aren’t avoiding responsibility. They want change — and they’re not waiting around for optimism or pessimism to guide them. They act.”