The ninth edition of the “Day of Dialogue” with Syrian civil society organizations, part of the “Brussels 9” conference to support Syria, is being held for the first time in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Saturday, 15 November, after having been convened annually in Brussels since 2017.
This year’s edition focuses on civil society in Syria, in cooperation with Syrian civil society organizations and the Syrian government, following preparatory consultations held across the country, according to the European Union announcement on Friday, 14 November.
The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, said that holding the “Day of Dialogue” in Syria for the first time reflects the EU’s ongoing support for inclusiveness and reconciliation, and for providing a safe and vibrant civic space in Syria.
“This event confirms our readiness to accompany Syrians on their path toward justice, social cohesion, and peaceful transition,” she said.
For her part, European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas considered that, after decades of “brutal dictatorship,” Syria now has an opportunity to rebuild itself in a way that reflects the will of the Syrian people.
She sees a safe, independent, and vibrant civic space as an essential part of this process, stressing that today’s event “allows Syrians to express their views on the future of their country and make their voices heard.”
Kallas emphasized that EU support for Syria is “not just words but actions as well,” noting that the European Union is providing 2.5 billion euros in assistance for rebuilding Syria.
Participants will discuss the main priorities of Syria’s transition process, following consultations with Syrian civil society across the country, especially transitional justice, social cohesion, the shift from humanitarian aid to social and economic recovery, and youth empowerment.
Organizing the “Day of Dialogue” in Damascus marks an important step in the EU’s support for a safe, enabling, and independent civic space in Syria, and for its readiness to accompany Syrians on their path to reconciliation and social cohesion, according to the EU statement.
European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said in the statement that, after 14 years of conflict, holding the “Day of Dialogue” in Damascus is a milestone, as Syrians come together for a genuinely Syrian led dialogue on how to rebuild their country.
“Syria now stands at a pivotal moment, full of opportunities and responsibilities,” Lahbib said, adding, “During my visit to Syria earlier this year, I met members of Syrian civil society who have returned to their country to start rebuilding their communities.”
She stressed that the EU will continue to provide humanitarian aid and recovery assistance to the most vulnerable for as long as necessary, and to support Syria’s transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable economic recovery that improves the daily lives of all Syrians.
Since 2017, the EU has organized annual donor conferences in Brussels in support of Syria. This year’s conference was titled “Standing with Syria, meeting the needs of a successful transition.”
In Damascus
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on 17 March that the “Day of Dialogue” with Syrian civil society organizations, part of the “Brussels 9” conference, was planned to be held for the first time in the Syrian capital Damascus since the conference began in 2017.
Speaking to donor state representatives at the Brussels conference, von der Leyen said, “In the old Syria, there was a dictator who controlled all political and economic power. In the new Syria, power can return to those who deserve it, namely the Syrian people, and this is where we can help.”
She added, “Here at the Brussels conferences, we have always hosted representatives of Syrian civil society from inside and outside the country, some of whom were previously banned by the Assad regime because of their ideas. But now, finally, they can have their voices heard, and I am honored to announce that this year we plan to hold the civil society dialogue of the Brussels conference in Damascus, because all Syrians deserve to take their future into their own hands.”
Previously, the Day of Dialogue was held in Brussels around the same time as donor states announced their financial pledges.
The EU held the donor day of the Brussels conference in the Belgian capital, attended by representatives of donor countries and of civil society organizations, alongside the first official Syrian participation, represented by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani.
Donor pledges at the ninth edition of the Brussels conference, dedicated to supporting Syria and countries in the region, reached 5.8 billion euros (6.3 billion US dollars), an amount lower than in 2024 because the United States did not contribute funding this year, according to EU data.
In “Brussels 8,” the United States had pledged 545 million euros.
European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, said donor states pledged a total of 5.8 billion euros, of which 4.2 billion euros were grants and 1.6 billion euros were loans.
The role of civil society
The Syrian Initiative for the Civic Space (SCSI) organized a discussion session, supported by the European Union, to launch a policy paper titled “The Role of Civil Society in the Transitional Phase” and its relationship with the state, society, and donors, on Friday, 14 November.
The paper was co authored by Nada Aswad, Farah Hawija, Naz Hami, Nesrin Alaa Eddin, Zaidoun Zoabi, and Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj.
The Initiative based the paper on meetings it held with a number of Syrian civil society institutions, as well as with Syrian activists from different regions, reflecting the Syrian Initiative’s vision directly.
Role of the paper and dimensions of civil society work
Nesrin Alaa Eddin, co founder of the Syrian Initiative for the Civic Space and facilitator of the discussion session, told Enab Baladi that the paper presented in the session in Damascus on Friday, 14 November, was intended to gather the views of Syrian women and men on the roles of civil society during the transitional phase.
She pointed out that the paper was prepared through broad cooperation and consultation with a large number of actors from across the Syrian geography, after all contributions and consultations had been completed.
Scenarios for the relationship between civil society and power
Academic researcher and director of the Syrian Center for Dialogue, Ahmad Qurabi, explained to Enab Baladi that there are three possible patterns in the relationship between civil society and those in power:
The first is that civil society returns to a confrontational position, as it did during the revolution, putting it in direct conflict with the authorities.
The second is that civil society becomes engaged in a counter battle against the authorities.
The third, which he hopes will be achieved, is a state of complementarity, in which civil society works to fill the gaps and help make the current phase succeed, seeing that success as a shared goal for all parties.
“Day of Dialogue” from Brussels conference kicks off in Damascus Enab Baladi.
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