The Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD) hosted “Civic Solutions in Damascus”, bringing together Syrian civil society organizations to envision the country’s future and chart pathways for constructive change. This first-of-its-kind dialogue after a period of transition featured diverse participation from women, youth, local leaders, and activists from across Syria, under the support of 16 local partners.
The event opened with a welcoming address highlighting the historic importance of Syrian-to-Syrian dialogue as a key tool for building a peaceful and stable future, emphasizing that the voice of civil society is the cornerstone of any genuine transitional process.
The event included three main sessions, which resulted in a set of recommendations:
Women for Syria’s Future – From Experience to Strategy
This session explored the vital role of women in peacebuilding and safe environments. Led by four pioneering women from diverse backgrounds, participants engaged with testimonies, insights, and strategies reflecting the transformative impact of Syrian women. The dialogue confirmed that women’s leadership is critical for shaping Syria’s future. A total of 54 participants joined this interactive discussion.
Community Initiatives and Popular Mobilization – Local Will in Action
Focusing on lessons from locally led initiatives, four leaders from grassroots organizations shared practical models of community self-organization and resilience. The session attracted 63 participants, highlighting how Syrian communities have mobilized to face challenges and drive local development.
Youth and Democracy – From Marginalization to Leadership
This session brought together young leaders from various regions to share their experiences in civic leadership. Through open dialogue, youth demonstrated their energy, ambitions, and potential to influence democratic processes. 55 participants engaged in discussions on empowering young voices in decision-making.
Key Recommendations:
For Youth:
- Strengthen political empowerment and personal leadership skills.
- Join political groups and contribute to policymaking.
- Conduct fieldwork and community surveys to understand local needs.
- Build networks to form a “Protective Shield for Syria” against hate speech.
For Organizations:
- Develop specialized training programs in leadership and political engagement.
- Support independent youth initiatives and foster dialogue with political actors.
- Involve youth in election campaigns and expand avenues for political expression.
- Ensure a safe and effective environment for youth participation.
Policy and General Recommendations:
- Enhance political participation through party legislation and student union activation.
- Establish communication channels with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
- Allocate youth seats in Parliament or create a youth parliament.
- Organize semi-annual youth dialogue conferences at the People’s Palace.
- Secure employment opportunities for youth alongside psychosocial support.
Partners closed the event by emphasizing that the day’s recommendations will serve as a practical roadmap for joint action, reinforcing that the dialogue was more than a meeting—it was a demonstration of the maturity of Syrian civil society and its capacity to lead a phase of reconstruction and change.
