March 2010Issue No. 59
Access All Areas?
A stronger civil society, largely focused on economic and social development, has emerged in Syria over the past 10 years. Advocacy NGOs, however, continue to find it a bumpy ride.
Development Challenges Demand a True Civil Society
Independent members of the country’s civil society now hope for a new phase of civic development in Syria.
Civil Engineering
Syria’s legal framework has long made it difficult for an independent civil society to emerge.
A Voluntary Mindset
Civil society associations may be limited by red tape and government bureaucracy, but shaping a culture of volunteering could boost their activity.
A New Way Forward
If Syria wants to truly unlock the development potential of civil society, then a new law organising – not controlling – civil society is needed.
Syria considers nuclear energy: Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mikdad said it was "important" for Damascus to consider a civilian nuclear energy programme.
Syria mulls renewed Turkey-brokered peace talks: President Bashar al-Assad and visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu discussed the prospects of resuming indirect talks between Syria and Israel.
Iraqi refugees vote in Syria: Twenty-three stations set up in Syria for the Iraqi election.
Iraqi VP in Damascus: Iraqi Vice President has arrived in Damascus for a 3-day visit ahead of the March 7 elections.
Iran and Syria warn of colonialism: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said US policy on Iran was a new form of colonialism in the Middle East during his meeting with the Iranian president.
US lifts travel advisory: US lifts travel advisory warning citizens about security concerns in Syria.
Syria dismisses IAEA calls: Syria has dismissed an IAEA recommendation to allow its inspectors unrestrained access, days after the agency said a bombed Syrian complex could have been a nuclear site.
French PM visits Damascus: French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said he held "frank and direct" talks with Syria's president on the issue of human rights.
Possible nuclear activity at bombed site: Uranium particles found at a Syrian desert complex bombed by Israel in 2007 point to possible covert nuclear activity at the site, the IAEA said.
Top US officials visit Syria: Syrian president meets with Under Secretary of State William Burns while senior US counter terrorism official Daniel Benjamin holds talks with local counterparts.
Turkey and Iraq restart rail link:The first passenger train from Iraq, running through Syria and into Turkey, arrives in Gaziantep.
Syria approves US ambassador: Deputy US ambassador to Iraq Robert Stephen Ford to take up post.
A stronger civil society, largely focused on economic and social development, has emerged in Syria over the past 10 years. Advocacy NGOs, however, continue to find it a bumpy ride.
Independent members of the country’s civil society now hope for a new phase of civic development in Syria.
Syria’s legal framework has long made it difficult for an independent civil society to emerge.
Civil society associations may be limited by red tape and government bureaucracy, but shaping a culture of volunteering could boost their activity.
If Syria wants to truly unlock the development potential of civil society, then a new law organising – not controlling – civil society is needed.
