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Inclusiveness

Voters cast ballots in parliamentary elections in Hasakah province, northern Syria, May 24, 2026. (SANA)
Voters cast ballots in parliamentary elections in Hasakah province, northern Syria, May 24, 2026. (SANA)

Parliamentary elections in former Kurdish areas allow launch of People’s Assembly 

    25 May 2026.  Elections of members to Syria’s Peoples Assembly took place in the largely Kurdish northeast regions of Hasakah and Aleppo provinces, after security-related delays. The political integration of SDF forces into Syrian state structures enables the People’s Assembly to begin its legislative work.Read more at: LEVANT 24

    Committees receive naturalization applications from Kurdish citizens—mainly from Hasakah province, with some from Aleppo, Damascus, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)
    Committees receive naturalization applications from Kurdish citizens—mainly from Hasakah province, with some from Aleppo, Damascus, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)

    Thousands of Kurds submit applications for Syrian citizenship

      25 May 2026.  Interior Ministry committees have received 2,892 family applications for naturalization —covering over 10,500 people—under Presidential Decree No. 13, which in January this year recognized their legal, cultural and linguistic rights, integrating them into the national fabric.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

      Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, and World Food Program Country Director, Marianne Ward, sign an agreement to launch the T-Anmu (I Grow) social protection program. (SANA)
      Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, and World Food Program Country Director, Marianne Ward, sign an agreement to launch the T-Anmu (I Grow) social protection program. (SANA)

      First national program is launched to aid vulnerable families through nutrition

        18 May 2026.  Syria’s Social Affairs and Labor ministry and the World Food Program opened the “T-Anmu” (I Grow) initiative, supported by France and Switzerland, aimed at building an integrated, just and sustainable social protection system with a focus on Syrian families with malnourished children.Read more at: SANA

        Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais speaks during the ‘Justice Matters’ conference at the Peace Palace in The Hague. (SANA)
        Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais speaks during the ‘Justice Matters’ conference at the Peace Palace in The Hague. (SANA)

        Justice minister affirms Syria is actively pursuing accountability for war crimes

          8 May 2026.  Speaking to figures in the field of justice from around the world, gathered in The Hague to discuss the role of justice in preventing conflict, Minister al-Wais stated that Syria is working to strengthen accountability and prevent impunity, while making reforms that promote the rule of law and civil peace.Read more at:  SANA

          Dr Zaher Sahloul

          About the Kurds by Dr Zaher Sahloul

            The decree issued by President Ahmed al-Sharaa is a historic decree, similar in importance to the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The Proclamation has the potential to end discrimination against the brave and dignified Kurdish people, who represent an essential component of the Syrian fabric. Read More at: Dr Zaher Sahloul…

            Ibrahim al-Youssef showing seeds grown at his Aleppo farm

            Seeds Against Bombs: scenes from Syria’s agricultural resilience and revival

              Once scattered and safeguarded abroad, Syria’s native seeds are taking root once more, part of an organic revival aimed at restoring the country’s agricultural heritage. “A hundred years ago, our grandparents used to save seeds from their own crops and replant them the next season, generation after generation. This concept has always existed—we’re just reviving it. It’s our way of responding to crisis and heading towards food sovereignty,” seed farmer, Ibrahim al-Youssef, explained.Read More at: Philippe Pernot, Syria Direct…

              Emerging Leadership in a Changing World

                Signs of a new style of leadership are appearing around the world. As old systems fail to respond to accelerating change, people are looking for leaders who can move beyond age‑old patterns of established authority and embrace emerging realities. In many countries — including those that have endured profound upheaval — leaders are arising who emphasise social cohesion, inclusiveness, compassion, responsibility and building trust.

                Syrian students gather at a school participating in the 2026 Arab Reading Challenge. (SANA)
                Syrian students gather at a school participating in the 2026 Arab Reading Challenge. (SANA)

                Encouraged by Education Ministry’s “reading culture,” over a million students join Arab Reading Challenge

                  31 March 2026.  The program, initiated by the UAE, encourages students to read 50 books a year outside of school, promoting self-learning skills, critical thinking and cultural awareness. Over 1.37 million Syrian students joined the challenge, supported by many thousands of educators.Read more at:  SANA

                  Conference held at Damascus University on laws discriminating against women attended by Syrian officials, UN representatives, legal scholars, international organizations and civil society. (7al.net)
                  Conference held at Damascus University on laws discriminating against women attended by Syrian officials, UN representatives, legal scholars, international organizations and civil society. (7al.net)

                  Legal conference explores reforms to paternal descent laws harmful to women and children

                    31 March 2026.  A Damascus University conference focused on loopholes in Syria’s existing Nationality Law, based on a 1969 decree, which allows discrimination against women married to non-Syrians and their children. Reforms to advance gender equality and legal protections were proposed.Read more at:  SYRIANOBSERVER

                    President Ahmad al-Sharaa and First Lady, Latifa al-Droubi, host reception for Syrian women on Eid al-Fitr and Mother’s Day, March 21, 2026. (SANA)
                    President Ahmad al-Sharaa and First Lady, Latifa al-Droubi, host reception for Syrian women on Eid al-Fitr and Mother’s Day, March 21, 2026. (SANA)

                    President al-Sharaa celebrates role of mothers in building families, communities, and the nation

                      21 March 2026.  At a gathering at the People’s Palace, the President honored Syrian women for their immense sacrifices while standing as pillars of the nation and partners in Syria’s renaissance. In an open dialogue, he sought their perspectives on rebuilding the country’s social and economic fabric.Read more at:  SANA

                      A jubilant Kurdish community gathers in celebration of Nowruz, Kurdish New Year, lighting the torch of freedom. (Radio Free Syria)
                      A jubilant Kurdish community gathers in celebration of Nowruz, Kurdish New Year, lighting the torch of freedom. (Radio Free Syria)

                      Kurdish New Year, Nowruz (New Day), to be observed as national public holiday for first time in history

                        15 March 2026.  Kurds across Syria will celebrate Nowruz openly on March 21, 2026 as their long restricted heritage is honored by the Syrian state. “A free Syria has room for all its sons,” commented Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, pointing to the nation’s expanding pluralism.Read more at:  RADIO FREE SYRIA

                        The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor unveils a two-year strategic plan, March 8, 2026. (Enab Baladi)
                        The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor unveils a two-year strategic plan, March 8, 2026. (Enab Baladi)

                        Syria’s government launches comprehensive plan to expand social justice and social protections in the next two years

                          9 March 2026.  Syria’s social affairs ministry unveiled a 2026-2028 plan, developed ‘in full partnership’ with civil society organizations, to expand equitable access to services, protect and empower women, strengthen protections for all vulnerable groups, integrate returnees, and promote decent work opportunities.Read more at:  ENABBALADI

                          Schools in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor are operating again after government rehabilitation. (SANA)
                          Schools in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor are operating again after government rehabilitation. (SANA)

                          Access to education restored to half a million students in newly liberated northeastern Syria

                            6 March 2026.  With the rehabilitation of hundreds of schools in the Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces, recently transferred to state control, children are being reintegrated into Syrian society. The Education Ministry has provided 570,000 textbooks, supplied 10,000 desks, as well as support for teachers.Read more at:  SANA

                            Syria’s Ministry of Education delivered a second shipment of textbooks to Raqqa to support local schools. (SANA)
                            Syria’s Ministry of Education delivered a second shipment of textbooks to Raqqa to support local schools. (SANA)

                            Syria delivers 100,000 textbooks to support education in newly integrated northeast region

                              27 February 2026.  As part a broader plan to rehabilitate schools and strengthen education in the Jazira region, previously controlled by SDF, the Ministry of Education delivered a second batch of new textbooks to the Raqqa directorate, following a batch of 118,000 textbooks delivered a month earlier.Read more at:  SANA

                              Nawar Najmeh, spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, speaks to media in Raqqa as preparations advance for elections. (SANA)
                              Nawar Najmeh, spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, speaks to media in Raqqa as preparations advance for elections. (SANA)

                              Raqqa province prepares for People’s Assembly elections, in major step toward finalizing Syria’s new parliament 

                                23 February 2026.  Election preparations are taking place in the province of Raqqa, formerly under SDF control, with electoral bodies being formed to insure fair and inclusive representation. Following Raqqa, elections will be held in Hasakah province and part of Aleppo, enabling the new parliament to convene.Read more at:  SANA

                                Community members gather in al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria, as 51 detainees are released in an area formerly under SDF control. (Enab Baladi)
                                Community members gather in al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria, as 51 detainees are released in an area formerly under SDF control. (Enab Baladi)

                                Syria is in a phase of “forgiveness and rebuilding,” says local governor upon releasing detainees under Presidential Amnesty

                                  21 February 2026.  The SDF-affiliated governor, appointed as part of SDF’s integration into the state, termed the release of 51 prisoners “a step toward positive integration into society.” He called upon those released to contribute to “serving their communities and strengthening stability.”Read more at:  ENABBALADI