Overview
On 26 November 2025, Advancing Civil Society - GLOCA participated in a two-day international conference in Damascus titled “Shaping a Shared Future: Inclusive Peace and Sustainable Development between Europe and the MENA Region,” in cooperation with the Swedish Dialogue Institute (SDI). GLOCA was represented by its Executive Director, Wasim Alhaj, in a conference that brought together more than 160 experts and representatives from Europe, the region, civil society, governments, and international institutions.

Conference Focus
The conference created a platform for dialogue on inclusive peace, participatory governance, regional and European cooperation, and sustainable development. It also addressed Syria’s political transition, recovery needs, social cohesion, and the role of civil society, youth, and women in shaping national rebuilding efforts.

Key Themes

• Inclusive peace and participatory governance.

• European–regional relations and their impact on stability.

• Prospects for an inclusive political transition in Syria.

• Social cohesion, youth empowerment, and women’s participation.

• Cooperation between civil society, governments, and international institutions.

Key Outputs
The conference generated recommendations to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, strengthen cooperation between the international community and local civil society, and expand networks between experts and regional and international organizations. It also produced focused discussions on youth and women’s roles in peacebuilding and sustainable development.

Impact
GLOCA’s participation reinforced the importance of meaningful civil society engagement in Syria’s recovery and stability. The conference provided a foundation for longer-term cooperation between Syrian civil society and European and international institutions, with a focus on practical initiatives in peace, governance, and sustainable development.

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