EVENT- Eleven years on the crisis in Syria: What does the future hold for Syrian children and young people?

Eleven years since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, the situation of children remains dire. With an absence of a political solution to the crisis, the needs of children and young people continue to grow. They bear the heaviest brunt and -as in other conflicts- they suffer first and suffer most. 

Inside Syria, more than 6 million children are in need of assistance. In neighbouring countries, more than 2.7 million Syrian children live as refugees. Ongoing violence and armed conflict, as well as poverty, unemployment, the COVID-19 pandemic, and regional and global geopolitical dynamics and crises have impacted children. The ripple effects of the situation will continue to negatively impact the lives and futures of millions of children in Syria and neighboring countries. For more than a decade, these children have been in survival mode, not knowing what tomorrow will bring, as they face grave violations of their rights.  

On March 30, we discussed what the future might hold and what the best ways are to respond to the needs, aspirations and concerns of Syrian children and young people.

The Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Centre, Gallup International/ ORBl, the No Lost Generation (NLG) initiative and UNICEF came together to provide an overview of the situation of Syrian children, based on examination of global and regional dynamics and by presenting voices of young people. The event aimed at kickstarting a discussion on the future of aid, given the multiple needs of children inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, in a complex political context and emerging crises.

With:

• Dr. Marwan Muasher, Vice President for Studies, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• Johnny Heald, CEO/Managing Director, ORB/Gallup International
• Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, NLG Co-Chair
• Dr. Maha Yahya, Director, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
• Kathryn Achilles, Advocacy, Media and Communications Director - Syria Response Office, Save the Children, NLG Member.

Moderated by Arwa Damon, CNN Senior International Correspondent.

Wednesday, 30 March 2022, 10:00 AM Amman/Beirut Time – 9:00 AM Cairo Time -7:00 AM GMT

The event recording is available on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLWp47cvGkI

Read more on the situation of the children of Syria here:
https://www.unicef.org/mena/syria-11

About the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Founded in 2006, the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, based in Beirut, Lebanon, draws on top regional experts to provide in-depth analysis of political, socioeconomic, and security issues in the Middle East and North Africa. The center seeks to cultivate a deeper understanding of the region by offering insights into the challenges faced by states and citizens and by addressing long-term trends. As freedom of expression has been increasingly curbed, the center has served as a space for individuals to express their views on the region and reflect on solutions.

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About ORB/Gallup International

ORB/Gallup International is an independent polling agency based in London. It is specialized in high quality research (quantitative and qualitative), in complex environments. This includes fragile states, conflict zones, post-conflict zones, and developing nations.

About UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/mena

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