The Project
“YES for Peace” is a project that aims to involve Syria’s youth in the political process. On the one hand, the average age in Syria is below 30, thus young people are the largest age group in the country. On the other hand, this age group is hardly represented in the political discourse. This is problematic not only because one of many perspectives on the Syrian peace process is missing, but also because the inclusion of young people is particularly important. They are the ones who will have to live with any agreed-upon peace agreements for the longest time, and inadequate political solutions—or a lack of peace altogether—thus affect them in a particular way.
“YES for Peace” is supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) via zivik Funding Programme.
Our Experience
Since 2016, we have been working with civil society groups and members of the Syrian opposition on concepts for a future democratic and inclusive Syria. The focus of our interests were questions regarding power-sharing, constitution-building, and minority rights. During study trips to North Macedonia, South Tyrol, and Kosovo, we have looked at examples of best practices – and the typical difficulties involved in creating decentralized structures and political participation in conflict and post-conflict societies.
We included people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, from multiple Syrian regions, of various political beliefs, women, and men in our discussions. However, one group was not well represented: young people. This is why we want to encourage you as the representatives of the young Syrian generation to get involved.
Our Questions
Throughout the last projects we, the participants, and experts gathered several question that we also want to discuss with you: What kind of government system suits Syria? What forms of decentralization exist? How can participatory structures be created on the local level, in schools and universities, trade unions, associations, and political parties? How can an inclusive constitutional process look like – and why is the process itself so important? Why do not only minorities benefit from federal systems? What are the differences between majoritarian and consociational democracy? How can fair language rights be provided in a diverse society? What can we learn from Syria’s past?
Our Goals
We want to invite you to develop an informed position regarding these questions and, through contact with influential members of Syrian civil society, Syrian political parties, and the new rulers around Haiʾat Tahrir ash-Sham (HTS), to make your positions heard in the Syrian political process. Additionally, we will establish connections with journalists so you can effectively reach and inform Syrians both in Syria and in the diaspora.
As part of the project, workshops are planned, both in person and online, as well as a study trip to Armenia.
You are interested in getting involved? Follow our social media channels for future announcements on the program!