Mapping the Role of Civic Actors in the Education Sector in Syria

23 August 2024 - EuroMed Feminist Initiative + Duderi NGO

Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, a Partner at LUGARIT, speaks at an event, organized by the EuroMed Feminist Initiative and Duderi NGO, marking the launch of two forthcoming studies on education in Syria. The first study analyses the education sector's post-conflict reconstruction needs, while the second study maps civil society organizations (CSOs) working in education across Syria.

Mr. Hallaj, who leads the research team behind the second study, delivered an insightful presentation highlighting key findings and recommendations. His presentation, titled "The Engagement of Civic Actors in the Education Sector in Syria: Mapping the Terrain," addressed the critical role of CSOs in filling the gaps left by formal education institutions during the ongoing conflict. He underscored the complexities these organisations face, including navigating a web of stakeholders, managing financial constraints, and promoting values of social peace and equal citizenship within challenging environments.

The study, based on a combination of qualitative interviews, desktop research, and online verification, offers a 360-degree view of the current landscape of CSOs in Syria's education sector. It reveals that while CSOs have been instrumental in providing non-formal and emergency education, they face significant scalability, sustainability and impact hurdles. The study also emphasizes the need for greater collaboration between CSOs with formal and quasi-formal educational institutions to foster a more cohesive and inclusive national education system.

One of the key takeaways from Mr. Hallaj's presentation was the importance of transparency in the relationship between CSOs and local authorities. He stressed that improved education outcomes are contingent upon empowering CSOs to work more transparently with formal educational institutions, thereby enhancing their ability to promote values of peace and citizenship on a broader scale.

This event reflects LUGARIT's ongoing commitment to contributing to the sustainable development and recovery of conflict-affected regions. The findings from this study can serve as a foundation for further research and policy development, enabling the education sector in Syria to better support the country's future generations during and after the conflict.

We extend our gratitude to the EuroMed Feminist Initiative and Duderi NGO for their efforts in launching this crucial study and for providing a platform for our partner, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, to share his expertise.

Related Publications >

The Engagement of Civic Actors in the Education Sector in Syria: Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Date: September 2024

Publishers: Duderi e.V, EuroMed Feminist Initiative, LUGARIT

A policy paper outlines the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Syria's education sector, emphasizing the need for long-term sustainability and scalability. It highlights challenges in teacher retention, localization, and fragmented efforts, and offers recommendations for enhancing collaboration, leveraging local resources, and supporting formal education for broader impact.

The Engagement of Civic Actors in the Education Sector in Syria: Mapping the Terrain

Date: August 2024

Publishers: Duderi e.V, EuroMed Feminist Initiative, LUGARIT

A research explores the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in providing educational services amid Syria’s conflict. It highlights how CSOs address gaps in education through non-formal programs, despite facing challenges such as limited resources, short-term funding, and complex interactions with local authorities and de facto powers.