| March 2010 |
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A New Way Forward By Abdul Kader Husrieh
Attendees benefited from a wide range of experts debating specific development topics such as rural development and community empowerment, culture, children and youth, employment and entrepreneurship. Underpinning all these discussions was a focus on sustainable development initiatives. The conference provided a forum for stakeholders in the development sector to network and explore opportunities for collaboration, as well as identify mechanisms for the business and civic communities, along with the government, to participate in and support the development process. The fact that such a conference was organised in Syria could be considered a landmark in the development of civil society not only in Syria, but also in the Arab region. Several conference sessions were chaired by Syrian ministers, with the active participation of the First Lady Asma al-Assad. Having the government participate alongside representatives of the civil society sector allowed each side to learn about the other’s capabilities, experiences and successes in addressing development challenges. The conference should be a starting point for further diversification, autonomy and multiplicity in Syrian civil society, particularly in light of the support pledged to civil initiatives by governmental and semi-governmental authorities. One of the most important sessions discussed the possibility of civil society organisations participating in institutional development. For half a century, civil society activity in Syria has concentrated on charity work. Since 2000, there has been an upsurge in the number of development-focused NGOs in the country, reflecting greater government acceptance and support of NGO activity, with the Syria Trust for Development as a front-runner. Civil society has been defined as “the totality of voluntary civic and social organisations and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as opposed to the force-backed structures of a state and commercial institutions of the market”. In short, it is the arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests, purposes and values. The institutional forms civil society takes are distinct from those of the state, family and market, although in practice the boundaries between state, civil society, family and market are often complex, blurred and negotiated. Civil societies are generally made up of bodies such as registered charities, non-governmental development organisations, community groups, women’s organisations, faith-based organisations, professional associations, trade unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions and advocacy groups. Civil society in Syria needs to become more active in the places where government does not reach and where market forces leave the country with unwanted results. It is conventional wisdom that market forces are socially blind. They may produce untenable social inequality and even injustice. In the case, of corruption they may become overwhelming and destructive when they go unchecked by ethical standards and legally enforceable rules. If Syria wants to follow the best practices of civil society, then a new law organising – not controlling – civil society is needed. The Syria Trust for Development stands as a real example and role model for other existing and future civil society organisations. It recently advertised for six posts to be filled by qualified professionals. This is a clear example that while civil society organisations should be sponsored by philanthropists, they should be managed by professionals. It is hoped that the conference marks the beginning of a long legislative and institutional process aimed at releasing the potential of civil society and activating its role in the development process. Abdul Kader Husrieh is a Damascus-based financial consultant. |
1 February 2012
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The first international conference of development in Syria, by the Syria Trust for Development under the title ‘The Emerging Role of Civil Society in Development’, was concluded on January 24. The conference hosted leading international, regional and local development practitioners and theorists and provided a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences about development projects and successful interventions from around the world. It also raised awareness about development issues and related challenges that Syria and the region is facing.
