In early May 2023, Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) and several Syrian civil society organizations made contributions during a meeting with the office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, attending the event with members of the Syrian Civil Society Support Room (CSSR), as well as Syrian experts from specialized working groups on “Local Governance and Decentralization” and “Protection Priorities for Syrians.”
During the meeting, the Special Envoy was briefed on the recommendations of the CSSR members and, in turn, shared with them insights into his latest meetings and efforts to support an inclusive political process and promote a political solution in line with Security Council Resolution No. 2254.
The Civil Society Support Room (CSSR) was established in January 2016 by the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria as a platform to ensure an inclusive political process by consulting with and engaging a broad and diverse range of civil society actors. Through the CSSR, civil society actors can meet, interact and exchange insights and ideas among themselves, with the Office of the Special Envoy, relevant UN actors, as well as international stakeholders.
UN experience and best practices in mediation processes clearly suggest that peace agreements are more sustainable if women and civil society are adequately and meaningfully included in the political and mediation process.
The CSSR is supported by Switzerland, Norway, the European Union and Sweden. The Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (NOREF) and Swisspeace are implementing partners.