Syria Today | 2010 Wish List

2010 Wish List

At the beginning of the New Year, Syria Today went out to discover what the country’s young generation hopes and wishes for in 2010.

Mohayd Hassan, 29, taxi driver: “I hope the New Year will not bring any problems or disasters. In my personal life, many things are going to change: my son is starting school and my wife is starting law studies at university, so I hope I can be there for them.”

Noruj al-Shamali, 24, secretary: “It’s hard not to say the obvious when asked what I wish for in 2010. Peace and food for all and a better world. I’d like to see a smile on every face. I’m hoping the government will continue to improve economic conditions and implement educational reforms. I also believe the world needs to do more to combat global warming and climate change. We need to fix the environment together.”

Ehsan Hammoud, 27, student: “I hope to graduate this year. On a political level, I hope that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved and Palestinians find a way out of this mess. I also hope all foreign troops will pull out of the Golan, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan. Finally, I wish to see all Israeli war criminals standing trial beside former US President George W. Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in an international court of justice.”

Ayman Nasr Edin, 28, civil servant and shop assistant: “In this economic climate, it’s easy to only think of the challenges facing people in Syria. In an ideal world, I would wish for taxes to be cut in 2010 and for the government not to raise the price of diesel fuel and basic goods any further. I also hope Syria can continue moving forward on the international political scene.”

Zeina Saadiq, 25, social activist: “I would love to see an improvement in social services for children with a focus on health and poverty. I also hope there will be more job opportunities. Finally, I wish for peace and happiness for everyone around the world and for the Arab nation and Syria to grow stronger.”