On 13 March 2025, Advancing Civil Society - GLOCA held a physical discussion session in Aleppo titled “The Role of Researchers and Academics in the Development of Civil Society: Toward a Knowledge-Based Society.” The session was facilitated by Wasim Alhaj and brought together 19 participants from academic, research, and civil society backgrounds.

Session Focus
The discussion explored the role of universities and academic institutions in supporting civil society issues, and examined the relationship between scientific research and community development. Participants also discussed the challenges faced by researchers in fragile contexts and areas affected by weak institutional structures.

Key Discussion Themes

• The role of universities in supporting civil society priorities.

• The link between scientific research and community development.

• Challenges facing researchers in fragile environments.

• Cooperation mechanisms between academics and civil society organizations.

• Promoting innovation and applied research to address community needs.

Key Outputs
The session recommended establishing a periodic coordination platform between universities and civil society organizations, launching a “Researchers for Society” initiative, and developing a preliminary policy paper on engaging academics in local civic planning. Participants also discussed the possibility of creating a local research support fund focused on community-oriented studies.

Impact
The session contributed to building connections between researchers and civil society actors in Aleppo and highlighted the importance of knowledge, research, and academic engagement in shaping future community development.

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