On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, 17 civil society organisations held the third annual forum, entitled “Voices for Peace”, in the city of Qamishli, Hasakah Governorate, on Monday, 21 September 2026, with the participation of representatives of government directorates, civil society organisations, and activists from the region.
The forum included dialogue sessions and interactive workshops, during which participants raised key issues, most notably the challenges facing the region following the process of integrating the institutions of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria with those in Damascus, combating hate speech, and assessing the economic and service-delivery situation, with the aim of developing more inclusive and equitable approaches that support peace processes. These themes provided a starting point for in-depth discussions of conditions in the region, the needs of its people, and the roles that each party could play in strengthening stability and social cohesion.
Participants discussed the main obstacles impeding peacebuilding in Hasakah Governorate and ways to strengthen cooperation and partnership between civil society organisations and official institutions to overcome these challenges. The event provided an open space for participants to exchange views and experiences, underscoring the central role of civil society in laying the foundations for a more just and stable future and the importance of continued dialogue among different local actors.
Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, Dalkash Issa, co-chair of the Kurdish Red Crescent, spoke about the forum’s importance in promoting civil peace in the region and providing a space to exchange views with the government bodies that attended its activities. He explained that “the discussions addressed civil peace, the possibility of creating space for civil society organisations active in this field, and the services they could provide to support government bodies, particularly as the region is currently undergoing the integration phase in Hasakah Governorate, pursuant to the agreement of 29 January 2026.”
For her part, Hala Merza, a presenter with the Suroyo media outlet, said that “the forum provided an effective space for dialogue among young people, as well as between citizens and officials. Questions and enquiries were raised during the forum and answered by government representatives within the limits of their powers”, which she considered “a positive step towards peacebuilding and a better future for Syria.”
In turn, Ronaz Ali, Executive Director of Together for a Better Society, one of the organisations participating in and implementing the forum, explained that the forum was being held for the third time on the International Day of Peace. He added: “Its concept centers on one question: ‘From the perspective of civil society organisations, what comes after the integration process involving the Autonomous Administration, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the government in Damascus?’ The forum has one objective: building peace and social cohesion, particularly in Hasakah Governorate, one of Syria’s most religiously and ethnically diverse governorates.”
The organising bodies will work to turn the forum’s outcomes into a recommendations paper addressed to the public, the transitional government, and international actors, contributing to the development of practical policies that advance the processes discussed and lay the foundations for sustainable peace in Syria.
In its third edition, the forum has become an annual event that brings civil society organisations, official bodies, and activists together around one table as part of efforts to support peace and justice processes in Syria.
Forum Organisers:
- White Hope
- Together for a Better Society
- Nudem
- Syrians for Truth and Justice
- Kurdish Red Crescent
- Humanitarian and Development Cooperation
- Nextep
- Peace She-Leaders Network
- Ashti Center for Building Peace
- Syrian Women Council
- Salam for Hope Foundation
- Star Kids
- Rose Organization for Support and Empowerment
- Demos
- Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights
- Şawîşka Association
- Nextory