Exploring Displacement and Recovery: Harvard Symposium Sheds Light on Syrian Crisis

25 March 2016  -  Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, USA

Harvard Graduate School of Design hosted a symposium titled “Scales of Syria” on 25 March  2016, delving into the complexities of the Syrian crisis. As the civil war in Syria continues with no resolution in sight, the resultant refugee crisis has profoundly affected the global community surpassing that of Europe during and in the wake of World War II. 

The symposium, co-sponsored by the Aga Khan Program, the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, offered a platform for in-depth discussions on the far-reaching impacts of displacement, from local to international levels.

One of the key sessions, "From the Metropolis to the Countryside," featured Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, alongside Ömür Harmansah and Sinan Hassan. Their dialogue focused on the redefinition of the Syrian diaspora in global terms and the interconnected future of Syria with its countryside. Topics such as re-establishing roots in such a turbulent context and the complexities of displacement were central to their discussion. The session also explored the untapped potential of the Syrian countryside in terms of agriculture, technology, archaeology, and infrastructure.

This symposium was not only a reflection on the current state of Syria but also an exploration of potential pathways towards recovery and development, emphasizing the critical need for international attention and collaboration in addressing these pressing issues."

Header Photo

Abu Ali, a 77-year-old Syrian refugee from Aleppo, inside Alhoor forest in Barelias, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. He fled Syria in April 2012 with his wife and left behind family in Aleppo. Photo © Diego Ibarra/MeMo/Saferworld.  Link >

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