Overview
On 15 January 2026, Advancing Civil Society - GLOCA held a three-day physical discussion activity in Aleppo titled “How Civil Society Strengthens Social Peace, Cohesion, and Conflict Resolution,” in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance – DCAF. The sessions were delivered by Wasim Alhaj and facilitated by Youssef Kardosh and Dr. Zaidoun Al-Zoubi, with the participation of 68 participants, equally represented by women and men.

Activity Focus
The activity explored the meaning of community security beyond traditional security measures, focusing on daily stability, social relations, access to services, grievance-handling channels, and the role of civil society in preventing tensions and supporting local peace.

Key Themes

• Understanding community security in everyday life.

• The role of civil society in social peace, cohesion, and conflict resolution.

• Safe spaces for dialogue and trust-building.

• Local mediation, conflict management, and awareness tools.

• Political, sectoral, and community dialogues.

• Inclusion of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in dialogue and decision-making.

Key Outputs
Participants developed a broader understanding of community security as a foundation for daily stability, trust, and access to reliable services. The sessions also identified local gaps and needs, strengthened dialogue and conflict-resolution skills, and produced practical recommendations to reduce polarization, improve coordination, and link community dialogue with official and sectoral channels.

Impact
The activity reinforced the practical role of civil society in building trust, managing local tensions, and creating inclusive dialogue spaces. It also highlighted the importance of partnership with DCAF in supporting community security, social cohesion, and locally grounded peacebuilding in Aleppo.

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