The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Department of Civil Society Organizations held a meeting with the Forum for Syrian Associations in Turkey to discuss the situation of Syrian nationals in Turkey and strengthen cooperation and coordination with the aim of improving the situation of Syrian nationals in Turkey and the liberated areas.
The meeting came as part of the SOC’s efforts to reach out to Syrian civil society organizations in order to improve and increase the services to the Syrian people. It brought together Coordinator of the SOC’s Office of Syrian Communities Abroad Muhammad Yahya Maktabi, SOC’s member Kifah Murad, Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Directors Aisha Al-Debs, Chairman of the Committee of Arab Relations Ratib Al-Debs, and Suleiman Al-Salama, member of the Arab Relations Office.
Participants discussed setting up mechanisms for joint action, such as exchange of experiences and sharing of information as the Forum comprises 42 Syrian civil society organizations concerned with relief and humanitarian work and supporting the most vulnerable groups.
Participants stressed the importance of discussing proposals and decisions made by the Turkish government that concern Syrian nationals or affect them.
Moreover, they discussed the worsening living conditions in the liberated areas as they put forward a set of proposals for cooperation in order to provide more support and services to our people in these areas.
Participants stressed the importance of working on building alternative institutions to the Assad regime, stressing the importance of the work of civil society organizations and their great role in the future of Syria.
In attendance were also SOC’s President Nasr al-Hariri, Vice-president Ruba Habboush, and Secretary-General Abdelbaset Abdullatif. Al-Hariri talked about the priority of supporting civil work as essential to meeting the needs of the Syrian people, adding that the SOC is keen on deepening and developing the structure of Syrian civil work. He pointed out that the SOC deals with this issue through its executive institutions, namely the Syrian Interim Government and the Assistance Coordination Unit.
Al-Hariri pointed out that the SOC is seeking to reach out to as many civil society organizations as possible in order to provide the best services.
He stressed the important role of civil society organizations in the political activity, stressing that the SOC is keen on ensuring the engagement of civil society organizations in the political process.
Al-Hariri added that civil society has a major role in the upcoming stage, especially in shaping the public opinion and influencing decision-makers, noting that civil society has been absent from community work under the decades-long rule of the Assad regime. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
