The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) on Wednesday held the first Syrian Youth Forum in the liberated areas under the supervision of Vice-president and Coordinator of the Office for Youth Ruba Habbush at the SOC’s office in rural Aleppo.
The forum brought together Coordinator of the SOC’s office in rural Aleppo Ahmed Al-Shahadi as well as youth and student bodies operating in the liberated areas.
The forum discussed the role of Syrian youth in the political process and their active role in society, as it stressed the importance of empowering them in society.
Participants also talked about underrepresenting the role of youth in previous periods; restricting their contribution to political and social roles; and reducing their capabilities according to certain limits. They agreed to develop a participatory plan that guarantees that the youth assume their role – a plan in which the SOC will be a source of help and support for the empowerment of the youth.
The Forum issued a final communique in which the participants expressed their outright rejection of the farcical elections that the Assad regime held in the areas under its control on Wednesday. They agreed to hold regular meetings to further discuss the situation of young people and activate their important political and social role in the Syrian society.
The first Syrian Youth Forum came as part of a series of activities conducted by the SOC’s offices for youth and women with the aim of ensuring broader involvement of Syrian women and youth in public affairs. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
