On Thursday, 24 April 2025, GLOCA held a focused dialogue session in Aleppo, as part of its new series of intellectual and civic forums under the title "Engaged Society". The session brought together a diverse group of Syrians from different regions, backgrounds, and affiliations.

The session aimed to collectively identify key societal priorities relevant to Syria’s transitional context, and to reflect on critical issues that shape the relationship between the community, institutions, and civic actors.

The discussion was built on a participatory framework informed by an expert roundtable, and opened space for analysing major dimensions influencing current civic and political life.

Key Themes Addressed:

1. Social Dimension
Participants explored the presence of social capital, its visibility across communities, and ways to move from assumptions to structured tools for assessing cohesion and trust. Managing diversity and restoring interpersonal and institutional trust were key points.

2. Political Dimension
The group discussed the evolution of political life in Syria, existing gaps in governance, and varying levels and forms of public engagement in the political sphere.

3. Rights and Justice
Discussions focused on transitional justice, the need for contextual understanding, and the intersection with gender and vulnerable groups. Ambiguities in the implementation of rights and constitutional guarantees were highlighted.

4. Economic Dimension
The session addressed economic challenges tied to return, reconstruction, legislation, and administrative structures. Participants pointed to gaps in economic policy and local economic participation.

5. Marginalised Groups
The conversation concluded with reflections on internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities, women, and children. Return processes, reintegration, and the need for inclusive planning were discussed as urgent concerns.

The session marked the launch of an ongoing series of forums, aiming to deepen understanding and support civic reflection on the transformations and needs of Syrian society. Future sessions will build on this foundation to address the emerging priorities identified in this initial gathering.

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