We engaged on a workshop rganized by International Humanitarian Relief to discuss the findings of our study, “Rebuilding Bridges – Seven Cities, One Dialogue.” Spanning seven governorates, 56 community sessions, and over 700 participants, the study provides a grounded, human-centered perspective on trust, justice, and reconciliation across Syria.

Key reflections from the discussions:

• Mistrust is primarily driven by the absence of fair and visible justice.
• Grievances span personal, societal, and structural levels.
• Solutions must be locally tailored to reflect diverse contexts.
• Communities highlight practical pathways to reconciliation, including acknowledgment, dialogue, and economic cooperation.

Drawing on DT Institute’s experience in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria, Feras contributed key reflections on:

• Scaling up local community initiatives into nationally relevant models to maximize impact and efficiency.
• Strengthening the Triple Nexus—linking humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts—to ensure more coherent and sustainable outcomes.

Empowering Youth in Policy Design

Later in the day, we also participated in the Syrian Youth Forum, organized by the Olive Branch Organization which convened young Syrians from across the country alongside government representatives. Discussions focused on translating youth perspectives into actionable policy ideas across three priority areas:

• Higher Education.
• Civic Space.
• Local Governance.

These exchanges reinforced the importance of inclusive processes and ensuring youth are meaningfully engaged in shaping Syria’s future.