The OSE-Syria Civil Society Support Room (CSSR) conducted a regional outreach mission with Syrian civil society from 20-21 September 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye. The regional visits aim at having regular and direct exchanges with Syrian women and actors from Syrian civil society and provide updates related to the work of the CSSR and the broader political process.
In Istanbul, the team – comprised of OSE-Syria and its implementing partners – held a series of meetings over the span of the two-day mission with 27 Syrian interlocutors, including several think tanks, business associations and organizations and networks working on humanitarian aid, development, peace building, human rights and women’s empowerment.
The consultations continue to be important opportunities for Syrian civil society to inform OSE Syria of developments on the ground, of key concerns of Syrians and provide key messages regarding the UN-facilitated political process.
Syrian interlocutors briefed on the recent developments northwest Syria and in Sweida, the worsening economic situation and the demands for a political solution. Participants discussed how to increase women’s participation and advancement in social, economic and political life, as well as continued protection concerns, human rights concern and the increasing pressure on refugees, the lack of progress regarding the detained, abducted and missing persons. Participants formulated recommendations, including on improving local governance and security and providing humanitarian relief and early recovery.
The OSE-Syria team briefed interlocutors on the recent developments of the political process, including on the Constitutional Committee, steps-for-steps, the broader political process, the Women’s Advisory Board, as well as on the CSSR activities.