Advancing Civil Society - GLOCA hosted a dialogue meeting at Talaqi Center for Dialogue and Civic Encounter in Aleppo with a high-level delegation from the Swiss Government, with the participation of civil society representatives and local actors. The meeting focused on the role of local dialogues and Community Safety Councils in strengthening trust and communication between society and relevant institutions.

The Swiss delegation included Ms. Patrizia Danzi, Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Monika Schmutz Kirgöz, Head of the MENA Division at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Lisa Magnollay, Head of SDC MENA in Bern; Mr. Boris Maver, Head of Cooperation in Syria; and Mr. Jonas Geith, Human Security Advisor for Syria at the Embassy of Switzerland to Lebanon and Syria.

The meeting was held within the framework of cooperation between GLOCA and DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, as part of the Community Safety Councils project implemented by GLOCA as DCAF’s main national partner in Syria, with support from the Swiss Government. The project targets the governorates of Aleppo, Latakia, and Al-Hasakah.

The discussion focused on the importance of security sector governance in the transitional phase, and the need for participatory local approaches that help rebuild trust between society and official institutions, particularly on issues related to community safety. The meeting also addressed the importance of shifting from the concept of security as a tool of authority to the concept of safety as a public service based on the protection of rights, listening to citizens’ needs, prevention, and justice.

In this context, Ms. Patrizia Danzi, Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, emphasized the importance of supporting local processes that enable communities to express their priorities and contribute to trust-building, noting that:

“Local dialogues that bring together civil society, local actors, and relevant institutions represent an important entry point for understanding people’s needs and promoting more responsive and inclusive approaches to community safety.”

 

During the meeting, GLOCA presented a brief overview of its programs and activities in supporting civic dialogue, activating the role of civil society, community and sectoral dialogues, human rights, and transitional justice. The presentation also introduced Talaqi Center as a safe civic space for dialogue and community encounter in Old Aleppo.

The concept of Community Safety Councils was also presented as non-executive advisory bodies that aim to engage civil society and local actors in designing interventions and solutions related to community safety. This is done through identifying needs, analyzing safety indicators, setting priorities, and providing a platform for dialogue on emerging challenges, with the aim of translating discussion outcomes into practical recommendations and follow-up plans.

Mr. Wasim Alhaj, Chief Executive Officer of Advancing Civil Society - GLOCA, stated:

“At GLOCA, we believe that community safety is not built only through institutions, but through trust, dialogue, and partnership with society. This meeting represents an important step toward developing a participatory local model that connects people’s needs with broader pathways for governance and trust-building in Syria.”

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on community safety priorities in Aleppo, the conditions required to establish effective and socially accepted local councils, and the role of civil society, women, youth, and local actors in supporting trust-building, social cohesion, and the prevention of tensions.

GLOCA affirms that such dialogues represent an important entry point for strengthening civic participation and supporting local approaches that place people, their dignity, and their rights at the heart of recovery and stability processes. The organization also reaffirms its commitment to continuing its work with local and international partners to support spaces for dialogue, build trust, and develop participatory models for community safety in Syria.