Laura Cunial’s Post

As Syria emerges from the shadows of a prolonged conflict, the journey towards recovery presents numerous challenges and opportunities. In a thoughtful op-ed by our own experts, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj and Zedoun Alzoubi, published in Awan online newspaper, we delve into the ethical dimensions that underpin effective early recovery efforts in the region. 🌍 Title: Ethical Principals for “Early Recovery” in Syria 📅 Date: 16 April 2024 📚 Publisher: Awan ✍️ Authors: Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Zedoun Alzoubi EN | ع The full article is in Arabic language.  An English summary is available on LUGARIT website.  المقالة باللغة العربية 🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/gQuTY_d7 💡 Key Insights: •⁠  ⁠Debunking Misconceptions: Early recovery is not a new concept but an intensification of efforts that require clear ethical frameworks. •⁠  ⁠Emphasizing National Unity: Recovery must foster national cohesion, bridging divides and rebuilding community trust among all Syrians. •⁠  ⁠Economic Integration: For Syria to thrive, economic activities across regions must be interconnected, reducing dependency on external economies and aid. •⁠  ⁠Community-Led Initiatives: True recovery is driven by the priorities and resources of local communities, ensuring sustainability. •⁠  ⁠Decentralized Implementation: A decentralized approach is crucial for facilitating localization of early recovery efforts. However decentralization should be thought of in terms of political reconciliation and not as a de facto tool for dividing the country. 📖 We invite you to read the article for a deeper understanding of how ethical principles can guide Syria's recovery and help lay the groundwork for a peaceful and prosperous future. Let’s engage in this important discussion and contribute to shaping strategies that support durable peace and development. 📷 Photo: Children selling fruits in a market in Damascus, Syria. April 2023. Photo © hanohiki - via ShutterStock. #LUGARIT #Syria #EarlyRecovery #EarlyRecovery #Reconstruction #CommunityEngagement #Ethics #ThinkTank

Peace organisations call for a #CeasefireNOW in Gaza, Lebanon & Israel and an end to impunity in this spiraling humanitarian catastrophe and escalating regional conflict. More in the post below, signed by over 150 NGOs and counting. #StopSendingArms! https://lnkd.in/eyHUDBAD

We call for a #CeasefireNOW in Gaza, Lebanon & Israel and an end to impunity in this spiraling humanitarian catastrophe and escalating regional conflict. More in the post below, signed by over 150 NGOs and counting. #StopSendingArms! https://lnkd.in/e97Mgseu

📢 New briefing from our Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform (SSHAP). 👉 Key considerations: From in-kind to cash-based assistance in Lebanon and Syria https://lnkd.in/eRC6ZwqU What is the role and implications of cash-based assistance (CBA) in #humanitarian efforts within the complex environments of #Lebanon and #Syria? This brief provides a contextualised understanding of CBA – its potential and challenges, including how these programmes function alongside more traditional approaches to assistance delivery. Written by Claude Samaha and Mohamad Ammouneh.

Interesting upcoming webinar from the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN) that may be of interest to my network: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD: A CONVERSATION ABOUT FRONTLINE HUMANITARIAN NEGOTIATIONS IN GAZA This webinar aims to provide an intimate and insightful look into the realities of humanitarian professionals negotiating on the frontlines in one of the world’s most complex crises: the Gaza strip. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eqhSq_Z9

What lessons can be learned from the humanitarian response to conflict in Lebanon in 2006, that can inform crisis response today? Miriam Bradley reviews key evaluations and reviews of the humanitarian response in Lebanon, 2006 in this rapid evidence review. The review finds that: 1️⃣The response was well-funded, but access to parts of Lebanon, especially in the South, was constrained by insecurity, blockades and restrictions  2️⃣The international response was supply- rather than demand-driven, and failed to adapt to the context of a middle-income country with a strong and active civil society  3️⃣Aid was politicised by both international donors and Lebanese political actors   4️⃣Coordination between international humanitarian agencies and local NGOs was limited Click here to read the report findings in full 👇  https://lnkd.in/e4XsNNwj HCRInstitute Fadi Nicholas N. Disasters Emergency Committee United Nations OCHA The New Humanitarian #Humanitarian #Conflict #Lebanon

📣 To anyone who might be interested in #humanitarian negotiation and the situation in #Gaza 👇 We are organizing an interactive webinar tomorrow (25 April) with three amazing humanitarian professionals who recently returned from the field. They will share their insights and experience in negotiating access, protection, and assistance in one of the world’s most complex humanitarian situations. Open to all, registration mandatory 👉 https://hubs.la/Q02tL13F0

From the Rubble to Hope: Steps Toward a New Syria On the morning of Sunday, December 8, a blessed and historic day that Syrians will never forget, Damascus, the proud city of jasmine, breathed the air of freedom. The tyrant and his regime fled, and the great Syrian people, after enduring immense patience, suffering, oppression, and sacrifices, regained their freedom, sovereignty, and dignity on their own land. The process of rebuilding the new Syria will not be easy. It is a phase filled with tremendous opportunities and enormous challenges. As Syria transitions into a new phase of recovery, the challenge of rebuilding goes beyond infrastructure. It’s about reconstructing a nation on principles of equality, justice, and sustainability. Drawing from global post-conflict experiences, here are key priorities to consider: - Local Context Matters: Tailored solutions that respect cultural and local specificities are critical for lasting peace. Imported, one-size-fits-all models often fail. - Inclusive Governance: A political system built on citizenship, equality, and non-sectarian values ensures unity and fairness. - Decentralization with Unity: Empowering local governance while maintaining national decision-making coherence can address regional disparities effectively. - Social and Economic Justice: Bridging economic and social gaps fosters trust and minimizes divisions. - National Reconciliation: Healing past wounds through dialogue and accountability paves the way for unity. - Civil Society’s Role: Engaging civil organizations strengthens collaboration between the state and citizens, promoting non-sectarian values. - International Support: External assistance must respect sovereignty, focusing on technical and financial aid without imposing rigid models.

Towards a New Syria: Processes for Transition from the Current State As a Syrian, I have spent 14 years working and researching peacebuilding in post-conflict contexts. Drawing on this experience, I believe that envisioning the future of Syria requires a clear and comprehensive framework for transitioning from the current state to building a new, inclusive state that guarantees safety, justice, and equality for all Syrians. Here, I am proposing five key processes that are essential for this transition: 1️⃣ The Governmental Service Process Ensuring the continuity of public services without interruption is vital. Immediate relief efforts are necessary to meet basic needs, especially as many state employees, retirees, and military personnel rely on their salaries for survival. Failure to address these needs could exacerbate chaos and instability. 2️⃣ The Constitutional-Political Process A constituent assembly must draft a new constitution that defines the future political system, ensuring equitable representation, democratic governance, and adherence to principles of justice. 3️⃣ The Legal Process Transitional justice is essential to hold perpetrators accountable, restore rights, and rebuild trust between the state and society. Long-term efforts must integrate the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into national laws, as demonstrated in other contexts like Northern Ireland. 4️⃣ The Social Process Rebuilding the damaged social fabric and fostering trust among communities is pivotal. Truth and reconciliation commissions are proposed mechanisms to address societal grievances, promote dialogue, and achieve comprehensive national reconciliation. 5️⃣ The Regional-International Process Reintegrating Syria as a sovereign state, free from alignment with regional or international blocs, is fundamental. This will build confidence in Syria’s new vision, attracting essential Arab and international support, including aid, investments, and development initiatives to alleviate poverty and rebuild the economy. These interconnected processes complement and reinforce one another. Achieving them requires collaborative efforts and active participation from all stakeholders to create a Syria for all—free from exclusion or discrimination. What are your thoughts on these processes? Are there additional steps we should consider to facilitate this transition? Let’s discuss and share insights for a brighter future for Syria. #Leadership #Syria #Peacebuilding #TransitionalJustice #Governance #Reconciliation #Development

'Challenges to building social cohesion in conflict-laden areas: The A’zaz case in the northwest of Syria (2016–2022)' by Omar Garebo #Syria #society 'The primary focus of this article is to critically evaluate the feasibility of fostering social cohesion in northwest Syria. This exploration hinges on the nuanced perspectives of local authorities, residents, and civil society organizations (CSOs) actively operating within the region.'  https://lnkd.in/evsBgrnj