Overview
On 17 July 2025, Advancing Civil Society - GLOCA held a physical discussion session in Aleppo titled “Why Is Electing Our Representatives in Parliament Important? Conscious Popular Representation.” The session brought together 48 participants and focused on strengthening civic and political awareness around elections, representation, and citizen participation.

Session Focus
The session discussed the importance of conscious popular representation in parliament and the role of citizens in shaping public life through informed electoral participation. It also addressed the criteria for selecting candidates and the role of parliament as an institution for reform, accountability, and state-building.

Key Themes

• The importance of conscious popular representation in parliament.

• The role of citizens in the electoral process.

• Criteria for choosing candidates responsibly.

• Parliament as a tool for reform and state-building.

• Strengthening trust, participation, and civic responsibility.

Key Outputs
Participants developed a clearer understanding of electoral mechanisms and the importance of informed participation. The session also created an open and safe space for discussion, where participants raised practical questions reflecting community concerns and developed initial recommendations on political participation.

Impact
The session contributed to strengthening civic education and encouraged participants, particularly youth, to move from general questions and hesitation toward more informed civic engagement and responsible participation in public life.

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