Virtual symposium: 10 years on: Syria’s past, today, and future

The Network for Peace in Syria organized a virtual symposium “10 years on: Syria’s past, today, and future” on 27 February 2021. The virtual symposium aimed to readdress the Syrian question to the Japanese general public and explore a wide variety of issues in current concern. Over 120 participants participated in it from the civil society, media, and academia.

The symposium was kicked-off by Dr. Hiroyuki Aoyama’s (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies) key-note speech. Followed by an informative presentation on Syria’s history of division and unity, he stressed the significance of understanding Syria in a historical context rather than in a short-term picture derived merely from the decade of conflict. Accordingly, an intricate approach is imperative to bypass careless interference by the international society and for Syria to move forward with its own people’s power and will.

Then, the symposium proceeded to message video from Syrians grappling with the effects of war. The video, which contained messages of Syrians young to old, conveyed their difficulties coupled with hiking commodity prices and highlighted their expectations for education to improve their future prospects.

In the following panel discussion, each of the network members, including students, shared their issues of concern. Among the issues raised were; arms transfers, economic sanctions and the divide within the international society, fundamental cause(s) of the conflict, education, media, and Syrian refugees in Japan. The panelists’ broad and vivid discussions stimulated lively interactions with the floor.

The Network for Peace in Syria will continue to raise awareness and provide opportunities for discussion.

Please feel free to get in touch with us: peaceinsyrianetwork[a]gmail.com

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