Stories from 'Intercultural Dialogue for Peace and Development'
With support from Denmark, Danmission contributes to cultural and
religious pluralism, tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Syria with the
project “Intercultural dialogue for peace and development”. Through the
strengthening and capacity building of individuals and local leaders, dialogue
and cooperation are strengthened across religious, ethnic and political lines
at both local and regional levels. People in local communities are thus
actively engaged in solving common needs, challenges and conflicts by working
together to find peaceful and just solutions.
Sofie, one of the participants in the project working with an
organization in Latakia, feels that the workshops she participates in have been
a turning point for her because they gave her the opportunity to meet new
people from other organizations from different parts of Syria. Through the
workshops, Sofie and four others managed to design and implement a joint
initiative aimed at young people in Syria.
Through the “Intercultural Dialogue for Peace and Development” project,
a group of women even succeeded in rehabilitating a public park affected by the
war. It is the only green area in the old town of Homs. The women have cleared
the park of all signs of war because these had a negative impact on the
residents of the area.
The initiative was for a group of women in Homs who came from different
regions and backgrounds. All had lost a relative during the war. Through the
project, the women were enrolled in an agricultural course to strengthen team
spirit and the cooperation between them.
A woman with special needs who also participated in the initiative lives
close to the park. She says the park contained many painful memories of the war
and evoked all the fear and emptiness she felt during that period. After being
involved in the restoration of the park, she now feels valued as a person and
as part of the group that participated in the rehabilitation. According to her,
the park has become a glimmer of hope that covers all the grief the war has left
in the city. She says that "this is the first time I have had a desire to
enter the park, and the garden has become a place of peace and love."
This article was prepared by Danmission. The Danish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs does not take responsibility for the content of the article.