PARAMARIBO, Suriname – April 20, 2026 – The Suriname Lebanese Association (SLV), one of the country’s longest-standing community cultural organizations, has ushered in a new governing board during its recent leadership election held Saturday, with longtime community member George Saleh selected to serve as the group’s new chairman.
Joining Saleh on the seven-member new board are Daniel Nouh Chaia, George Frangie, Aegina Brahim, Giselle Helou, Munira Issa and Emely Issa, who will collectively guide the association’s activities and strategic direction through their upcoming term.
Founded in 1996, the SLV is marking its 30th year of serving the Lebanese community in Suriname this year, a milestone that frames the new leadership’s priorities. In his inaugural address after the vote, Saleh described his appointment as both a profound honor and a weighty responsibility, extending sincere gratitude to association members for the trust they placed in his leadership team.
Saleh emphasized that while the SLV has built a powerful legacy rooted in long-held tradition and a tightly connected community, the organization must continue to adapt and innovate to remain relevant and resilient for future generations of members.
Among the core policy priorities of the new board is a comprehensive modernization of the SLV’s bylaws, a change designed to make the organization’s operations more transparent and efficient for both members and stakeholders. Beyond governance reform, the board plans to expand the association’s programming, adding new cultural and social events that cater to community members of all age groups, from youth to older residents.
Existing popular annual events that have become staples of the SLV’s calendar – including Family Day, the community men’s cookout, Maria Day, and the traditional hafli celebration – will remain on the schedule, with new initiatives rolled out to complement these beloved gatherings.
Another central pillar of the new board’s agenda is preserving and passing down Lebanese cultural heritage to younger community members. This work centers on protecting core traditions, celebrating Lebanese culinary identity, and reinforcing shared cultural values including radical hospitality and strong intergenerational family bonds. The board also plans to upgrade the association’s internal administrative systems and expand its community network, most notably through the launch of a new “Friends of the SLV” membership initiative open to broader community supporters.
Closing his address, Saleh called on all SLV members to deepen their engagement and collaborate closely with the new leadership to strengthen the association and build a sustainable, future-ready organization that can serve the Suriname Lebanese community for decades to come.
Saleh nieuwe voorzitter Surinaamse Libanese Vereniging; inzet op vernieuwing en groei
