August 2010Issue No. 64
Torn Identity
What does it mean to be a young Syrian? There is no simple answer. In contemporary Syria, many young people feel torn between reconciling the rules of a conservative society with the images that are flooding in through satellite television, movies and the internet. At the same time, politics continues to play an important role in young people’s sense of self and belonging.
Chasing Dreams
Syria Today hit the streets of Damascus to ask young people about their hopes and dreams for the future.
Work Wanted
Youth unemployment in Syria stands at 19 percent, five times the adult rate. While progress is being made in the battle to provide Syria’s young with work, an ongoing skills mismatch between the country’s educational system and labour market, as well as poor job hunting skills among the country’s young, continues to prevent many from gaining employment.
Finding Their Virtual Voices
Despite official attempts to limit its size, Syria’s blogging community continues to grow by the day.
Dropping the Beat, Syrian Style
Syria’s small hip hop community refuses to be stereotyped – either by locals or foreigners.
Free Zone revenues up SYP 300m (USD 6.4m) over last year: Revenue figures released for the industrial districts from the first six months of 2010.
Eleventh five-year plan focused on investments: PM Otri said the plan includes investment projects valued at SYP 4bn (USD 85m) with a special focus on Dier ez-Zor governorate.
Campaign to preserve oral heritage announced: The ministry of culture's folklore department will document Syria's story-telling tradition.
Oxford Business Group report released: The study of Syria's economy looks at the role of public-private partnerships in the oil industry and key transport projects.
Emirates Telecom Corp. bids to become Syria's third mobile carrier: The company is the bigger of two mobile operators in the UAE.
New law reorganises telecoms: The sector now contributes to 5 percent of GDP.
Man age 125 dies in Hassakeh: He left behind 187 children and grandchildren.
Homs archaeologocal find proves link between Mesopotamia, Mediterranean and Nile Valley: The dig indicates that the Katana Kingdom had important international-trade ties.
Third mobile phone operater to enter the market: The firm will join carriers Syriatel and MTN Syria.
Regional Special Olympics to be hosted in Syria: 2,500 athletes from 23 countries will participate in the games.
Authorities confiscate drugs: About two million illegal pills were smuggled into Syria from Lebanon.
Venezuela defends flights to Syria: The US c riticised the flights between Caracas, Damascus and Tehran.
Syrian and Iranian officials meet in Tehran: Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs Abdullah al-Dardari led the delegation.
Ancient coins confiscated in Hama: Police uncovered the 245 coins in an abandoned car.
Tourist visits up in 2010: The figure increased 56 percent during the first seven months of the year.
What does it mean to be a young Syrian? There is no simple answer. In contemporary Syria, many young people feel torn between reconciling the rules of a conservative society with the images that are flooding in through satellite television, movies and the internet. At the same time, politics continues to play an important role in young people’s sense of self and belonging.
Despite official attempts to limit its size, Syria’s blogging community continues to grow by the day.
