Please join Nonviolence International for a special webinar live from Syria on April 23 at 11am ET / 6pm Syria time, titled: Syria Today: Stories of Return, Resistance, and Renewal.
From Nonviolence International co-director Michael Beer - “This conversation, with our colleagues Rafif Jouejati and Bassam Ishak, comes at a pivotal moment as Syrians navigate a fragile new reality—between past trauma and emerging hope and between cautious public expression and courageous grassroots organizing.
I recently returned from Syria, where I traveled to Damascus with Bassam Ishak—his first time back since fleeing the Assad regime in 2011. We visited his family's old apartment and reconnected with his neighbors. When they opened the door and saw him, they shouted with unbridled joy. Their long embrace, filled with tears and laughter, was a powerful reminder of the bonds that may heal and rebuild a unified Syria.
Today, many Syrians are beginning to speak more freely. There is a tentative sense of possibility and a growing hope for a future that includes all of Syria's people—Sunnis, Syriacs, Kurds, Druze, women, religious minorities, and youth. The new interim government has taken steps toward inclusion, appointing technocrats and minority figures. Yet troubling signs persist: women have been removed from leadership positions, and revenge attacks on Alawite civilians have gone unchecked.
Damascus itself bears the scars of decades of dictatorship, civil war, repeated Israeli bombings, and harsh international sanctions. The economy has collapsed. Electricity only runs 4 hours per day. With the Syrian pound trading at 13,000 to the US dollar, even daily transactions require piles of cash—tourists are advised to carry backpacks just for money. Traffic is terrible and chaotic, and most young people whom I met are eager to leave for a life abroad."
And yet, amidst the poverty and hardship, I encountered extraordinary courage. I met with feminist leaders, youth organizers, and religious minorities who are building grassroots networks committed to nonviolence, justice, reconciliation and equality. Some of these efforts are now supported by NVI. Bassam and I also met with the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) representing the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.
As part of this trip several action steps were taken, Sami Awad received offers from the SDC to hold in-person leadership training to young Syrian organizers later this year. (As a reminder NVI is launching the online training leadership program on April 26, and limited spots remain.) In addition we discussed with Noura Salam how NVI can help as she is facilitates the launch of a national nonviolence network in Syria.
One consistent message we heard across the country: Syrians are calling for the immediate and unconditional lifting of international sanctions, and for the withdrawal of all foreign military forces, including those from Turkey, Israel, and the United States. They want to rebuild their nation with dignity and sovereignty.
I would like to also share two personal calls to action that emerged from this journey:
Go to Syria. Damascus is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with nearly 10,000 years of living history. Despite what you may imagine, you will be quite safe as a tourist—as long as you avoid getting hit by a car. Travel and presence are powerful forms of solidarity and discovery.
Remove all Syria sanctions. It is time to end all sanctions against Syria, which continue to devastate civilian life. At the same time, the international community must face its moral inconsistencies: sanctions must begin towards Israel, where decades of systemic injustice have gone unchallenged.
Please share this webinar invitation with your networks. As with many NVI events, we welcome your active participation. A recording will be shared with all who register and also be posted on our youtube channel.”
To register: Webinar: Syria Today - Stories of Return, Resistance, and Renewal