#LUGARIT joins a @GLD_Gothenburg #Policy Roundtable to discuss #Syria’s future #governance, #economics, #security, #stability, & #reconstruction, emphasizing pragmatic, #inclusive, locally grounded approaches for #recovery. 🎥 Watch the video! 💬 Event: What is Next for Syria? Challenges and Opportunities 📅 Date: 5 February 2025 🏛️ Organizer: Governance and Local Development Institute GLD ( @GLD_Gothenburg ) 🎤 Speakers: Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Ezra Karmel ( @ej_karmel ) 👩‍⚖️ Moderator: Ellen Lust ( @EllenMLust ) 🎥 Access the news post to watch the discussion and explore key insights from the discussion, including governance fragmentation, economic recovery strategies, and the future of decentralization in Syria. 📷 Photo: A boy & girl amid the celebrations at Umayyad Square, Damascus, Syria. 9 December 2024. Photo © Ahmed Akacha - via Pexels. Photo editing by LUGARIT. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #Syria #MiddleEast #Governance #PostConflictRecovery #Policy #Development

Local #elections have historically shaped #political #centralization, socio-economic structures, and #governance dynamics in #Syria. #LUGARIT + @OmranDirasat + @TDA_SY provide a historical #analysis and recommendations for post-conflict #reforms 🌍 Title: The Dialectical Relationship Between Elections and Local Governance Models in Syria 📅 Date: 3 February 2025 📚 Publishers: Omran Center for Strategic Studies ( @OmranDirasat ) + The Day After ( @TDA_SY ) + LUGARIT ( @LUGARIT_Impact ) ✍️ Authors: Zedoun Al Zoubi ( @AlzoubiZedoun ) + Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj EN | ع The paper is available in Arabic only. البحث متاح باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: - Local electoral systems in Syria have historically reinforced centralized political authority, sidelining genuine local autonomy and grassroots participation. - Electoral systems disproportionately favored majorities, sidelining social and political minorities. - Elections served as tools for consolidating elite power, fostering patronage networks aligned with centralized authority, and marginalizing local communities. - Addressing historical electoral biases is critical for equitable representation, fostering trust, and rebuilding social cohesion. - Syria’s current fragmented political landscape and diverse governance models complicate efforts to create a unified governance model. - To ensure a sustainable political transition, effective governance reforms must reflect Syria’s socio-political realities, balance central authority with local autonomy, and encourage inclusivity. 📖 Read the paper on our website to explore how Syria’s electoral history can inform future reforms for inclusive governance and political stability. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDevelopment #Syria #MENA #MiddleEast #Elections #Governance #LocalGovernance #Decentralization #PeaceBuilding #Conflict

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RT @OmranDirasat: على مدى السنوات الأخيرة قبل سقوط النظام البائد في سورية قسمت #سورية بفعل الأمر الواقع إلى ثلاث مناطق نفوذ دولية تمت إدارت…

How can #Syria overcome fragmented #governance & rebuild equitable service delivery systems after years of #conflict? #LUGARIT & @OmranDirasat analyze service disparities across 7 governance models, offering insights & pathways for #recovery. 🌍 Title: On the Eve of The Regime’s Fall: Service Indicators in Syria 📅 Date: 27 January 2025 📚 Publisher: Omran Center for Strategic Studies + LUGARIT ✍️ Research Team: Ayman Dasuki, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Zedoun Al Zoubi, Hassan Masri, Jadd Hallaj, Obidah Alsayed Ali, Fadel Khanji, Rahaf Lahham, Baraa khurfan, Zeina Al-Khair EN | ع The paper is available in Arabic only. البحث متاح باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: - Uneven Service Availability: Daraa and the Salvation Government regions perform relatively better, while Suwayda lags significantly behind across key services. - Fragmented Governance: Centralized control limits local institutions’ ability to address community-specific needs, exacerbating inefficiencies. - Infrastructure Gaps: Infrastructure services show the greatest need for improvement, essential for sustainable reconstruction. - Public Dissatisfaction: Perceptions of inequity and governance challenges contribute to instability and resistance. - Recommendations for Recovery: Decentralized service delivery, infrastructure investment, diaspora engagement, and political reform are critical for Syria’s recovery. 📖 Read the paper on our website for informed policymaking and development strategies, and a roadmap for rebuilding Syria’s service systems. 🌐 Link: #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDevelopment #Peacebuilding #LocalGovernance #Syria #MiddleEast #Infrastructure #Decentralization

LUGARIT is on BlueSky Follow us to stay updated with our latest insights, in-depth analysis, and discussions on the pressing issues impacting the Middle East and Africa #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDevelopment #PeaceBuilding #LocalGovernance

From Concept to Impact: Social Capital Simplified #LUGARIT partnered with #Niuversity and @AfkarPlus to conduct a workshop on social capital. The training material was recently published in a free guidebook. 🌍 Title: Introduction to Social Capital 📅 Date: 2025 📚 Publisher: #Niuversity ✍️ Authors: Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Dr. Fadi Amroush @fadyamroush , Eva Ziedan EN | ع The guidebook is available in Arabic only. الدليل متاح باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: - What is social capital, and what drives its development? - The role of tradition and heritage in shaping trust and cooperation. - Social capital's impact on economic growth and sustainable development. - Positive vs. negative social capital and their societal outcomes. - How social capital influences conflict and resolution within communities. - Practical applications, including case studies and value-chain analyses. - The broader concept of "community capital" and its relevance to holistic development. 📖 Read the news post on our website and get free access to the guidebook 🌐 Link: 📷 Photo: Snapshot from a workshop. Photo © GaudiLab - via ShutterStock. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDevelopment #SocialCapital #CommunityEmpowerment

Sinjar’s Struggles and Hopes: A Vision for #Peace Discover the first in a series of conflict analyses by Dr. @EMeininghaus from #LUGARIT. This paper explores Sinjar's struggles with insecurity, land disputes, and justice for Yazidi survivors, offering solutions for recovery. 🌍 Title: Sinjar, Iraq: Local Conflicts, Conflict Resolution and Visions for Peace 📅 Date: 21 January 2025 📚 Publisher: LUGARIT ✍️ Author: Dr. Esther Meininghaus EN | ع The article is available in the English language only. المقالة متاحة باللغة الإنجليزية 💡 Key insights: - The interconnected nature of Sinjar’s conflicts, including insecurity, land disputes, impunity for genocide perpetrators, and societal challenges faced by Yazidi women and children. - The limitations of current conflict resolution mechanisms, such as ṣulḥ (tribal mediation) and the judicial system, which often exclude marginalized groups. - The potential of the 2020 Sinjar Agreement to address governance and security concerns, though its implementation remains stalled. - Recommendations for inclusive recovery efforts, legal reforms, and reconciliation initiatives to rebuild trust and foster peace. 📖 🎧 Read or listen to the paper on our website to gain a deeper understanding of Sinjar’s struggles, the resilience of its people, and strategies for fostering long-term peace and justice. 🌐 Link: 📷 Photo: A female Yezidi YBŞ Fighter. Sinjar, Iraq. 2 December 2017. Photo © Kurdishstruggle - via Flickr. Photo editing by LUGARIT. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDevelopment #ConflictAnalysis #Peacebuilding #Iraq #Sinjar #MiddleEast

On the Brink: #Governance in #Syria Before the Assad Regime’s Fall #LUGARIT & @OmranDirasat examine governance systems in Syria before 8 December 2024, highlighting fragmented governance models, mistrust, regional disparities, societal dynamics, and the path ahead. 🌍 Title: The Conditions of Governance in Syria before 8 December 2024 📅 Date: 17 January 2025 📚 Publisher: Omran Center for Strategic Studies @OmranDirasat + LUGARIT @LUGARIT_Impact ✍️ Research Team: Zedoun Al Zoubi, Ayman Dasuki, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, HassanMasri, Jadd Hallaj, Fadel Khanji, Rahaf Lahham, Baraa khurfan, Zeina Al-Khair EN | ع This research paper is available in Arabic language only. البحث متاح باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: - Fragmented Governance Models: Seven distinct governance models reflected the unique political, economic, and social realities of their respective regions. - Weak Public Trust: Governance legitimacy suffered due to corruption, poor service delivery, and a lack of democratic representation. - Regional Disparities: Service provision varied significantly, with government-controlled areas struggling the most. Opposition and autonomous regions relied heavily on external support. - The Role of Services: Public acceptance of governance hinged on the provision of basic services, respect for local traditions, and security maintenance. - Challenges Ahead: The paper underscores the importance of inclusive governance models for bridging divides and achieving national reconciliation. 📖 Read the paper on our website and explore Syria’s governance conditions during the regime’s final days and what they signify for the country’s future. 🌐 Link: #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #Governance #Syria #MiddleEast #ConflictResolution #PolicyResearch #PostConflict #Development #Reconciliation #StateBuilding #PoliticalTransition #GovernanceReform #RegionalDynamics #InclusiveGovernance #ResearchInsights

Redefining #Governance for a #Post-Conflict #Syria #Post-Assad transition in Syria presents an opportunity to reshape governance. This requires thoughtful strategies, structural #reforms, and inclusive #dialogue. #LUGARIT examines governance, economic, and social challenges ahead. 🌍 Title: Governance Challenges in the Upcoming Phase: General Concepts 📅 Date: 3 January 2025 📚 Publisher: Omran Center for Strategic Studies @OmranDirasat + LUGARIT @LUGARIT_Impact EN | ع The article is available in both English and Arabic languages. المقالة متاحة باللغتين الإنجليزية والعربية 💡 Key insights: - The success of Idlib’s governance model highlights the importance of aligning governance frameworks with local cultural and societal values. - Scaling governance nationwide demands structural reforms to address corruption, inefficiency, and fragmentation. - Economic recovery requires innovative resource management, inflation control, and equitable distribution of services to avoid deepening inequalities. - Achieving legitimacy is pivotal, combining revolutionary (de facto) legitimacy with legal (de jure) legitimacy through constitutional reform and inclusive participation. - Community reconciliation, social safety nets, and partnerships with civil society are essential for stability and trust-building. - Reconstruction efforts must balance immediate needs with long-term planning to ensure sustainable development. 📖 🎧 Read or listen to the article on our website to explore how Syria can transition towards a stable and inclusive future. 🌐 Link: 📷 Photo: The Presidential Palace overlooking the capitol after the fall of the Assad regime. Damascus, Syria. 9 December 2024. Photo © Mohammad Bash - via ShutterStock. #LUGARIT # ThinkTank #Governance #LocalGovernance #PostConflict #PostConflictRecovery #Syria #PolicyAnalysis

RT @ifi_aub: 📜13 years into Syria’s conflict, the stalemate is finally broken. Yet the situation remains in flux with no definitive horizon…

#Publication - Emerging from the Ashes: #Syria on the Eve of #Regime #Collapse The fall of #Assad marks a turning point for Syria, but #unity, #stability & #recovery remain elusive. #LUGARIT #paper explores challenges in #governance, #economy & #security and proposes pathways for #rebuilding. 🌍 Title: Emerging from the Ashes: A Snapshot of Syria on the Eve of Regime Collapse 📅 Date: 12 December 2024 📚 Publishers: - Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) @ifi_aub - LUGARIT @LUGARIT_Impact ✍️ Authors: @AlzoubiZedoun , Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj , @nihad_alamiri EN | ع The paper is available in English language only 🌐 Link: 💡 Key insights: - Fragmented Governance: Despite the regime’s collapse, Syria remains divided across governance zones, complicating national unification efforts. - Economic Collapse: Over 95% of Syrians live in poverty, with urgent economic recovery needed to address basic survival and support returning refugees. - Security Instability: Localized conflicts and regional turmoil continue to undermine stability despite HTS gaining control over major territories. - A Path Forward: The paper advocates for gradual and inclusive strategies essential for governance reform, constitutional dialogue, economic recovery, refugee reintegration, and fostering international consensus. 📖 Read the paper and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing Syria at this critical juncture. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #Syria #PostConflictRecovery #Governance #EconomicRecovery #RefugeeReintegration #ConflictResolution #MiddleEastPolitics #SecurityReform #InternationalCollaboration #StabilityAndPeace #Decentralization #PolicyAnalysis #RebuildingSyria #GlobalChallenges

#Heritage as a Path to #Peace in #ConflictZones In interview on #InternationalDayOfPeace with @sot_sy #LUGARIT experts Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj and Eva Ziedan explore the role of living #CulturalHeritage in rebuilding #socialcohesion and fostering peace in #war affected communities. 🌍 Title: Heritage as a Gateway to Peace 📅 Date: 21 September 2024 📚 Publisher: LUGARIT + Syrian Anonymous Journalists ✍️ Speakers: Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj and Eva Ziedan EN | ع The interview is in Arabic. An English summary is available on LUGARIT website. المقابلة باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: As the conversation coincided with the UN's International Day of Peace, key insights emerged: - Heritage as a Dynamic Process: Heritage is not static. It evolves with communities and can offer mechanisms for dialogue and reconciliation, especially in conflict zones like Syria. - Living Heritage and Social Cohesion: Beyond archaeological sites and monuments; traditions, customs, and cultural practices are essential tools in restoring trust and unity among fractured communities. - The Urgency of Action: Waiting for conflicts to end risks losing vital cultural elements by losing the communal practices that held them together. Now is the time to engage in heritage-driven peacebuilding efforts that can shape Syria’s future. - Examples of Resilience: Local communities in Syria have used intangible heritage, such as traditional agricultural practices, to survive and rebuild in the midst of war. Aziz and Eva make a compelling case that heritage, far from being a luxury or afterthought, is central to the survival and revival of Syrian society. 🎧 Listen to the full interview in Arabic to gain deeper insights into the potential of heritage as a peacebuilding tool: 🌐 Link: 📷 Photo: Street vendor in Bab Al Faraj, Aleppo, Syria, 2009. Photo © Paolo Arsie Pelanda - Via ShutterStock. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #HeritageForPeace #Peacebuilding #Syria #RebuildingTrust #ConflictResolution