Peacebuilding Support Project

As part of the ongoing Community Peacebuilding Support Project launched by the St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee (EPDC) in partnership with Tearfund, the second activity of the project was implemented under the title: “Peace Begins with Me.” The workshop brought together religious leaders and influential community figures from various denominations representing five Syrian governorates: Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, Daraa, and Rural Damascus. The workshop lasted for three days.

At the beginning of the workshop, Eng. Hisham Saad, Executive Director of EPDC, welcomed the attendees, beginning his remarks with the words, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” emphasizing the project’s crucial importance. He stressed that peace is a necessity, not a luxury, for transitioning to a new phase of coexistence and social cohesion. He added that the goal is not to forget the past, but rather to learn from it in order to build a new Syria. He also emphasized the pivotal role of religious leaders, considering them a solid foundation for this phase and a key to solutions in the face of challenges. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of their role in supporting dialogue and working together for a future built on understanding, mutual respect, and sustainable peace.

Ms. Diana Yazji, Partnerships and Programs Manager at Tearfund, also presented an overview of the project’s core vision, explaining its main phases and its positive impact on strengthening coexistence, acceptance, and peacebuilding through activities and initiatives that will be launched in coordination with religious and community leaders during the upcoming phase, contributing to greater acceptance of others within local communities.

Eng. Yamen Almoussa, Programs Manager at EPDC, provided a general introduction to EPDC activities and projects across Syrian governorates, as well as its humanitarian interventions since its establishment.

After that, the workshop, which was led by Professor Dr. Souleiman Kasouha, began and included key themes related to building community peace, starting from the foundations of peacebuilding and the dimensions of social change, non-violent communication as a tool for change and communication, in addition to the foundations of the practical application of community initiatives, and the role of community leaders and youth in supporting and implementing these initiatives in a way that ensures the sustainability of their impact.

The launch of the project came after a series of meetings and visits conducted by the EPDC team with active religious and community figures, aiming to introduce the project’s vision based on promoting peace, strengthening acceptance of others, and building bridges of understanding within local communities.

The participants’ engagement reflected their shared belief in the importance of their role in supporting dialogue, strengthening social cohesion, and working together towards a future grounded in understanding, mutual respect, and lasting peace.

This project represents a practical step towards enhancing social cohesion and empowering local leaders to become ambassadors of peace, because sustainable peacebuilding begins when we choose to meet, listen, and work together.