The proceedings of the first session of the Migration
The proceedings of the first session of the Migration and Displacement Forum under the title “Migration and Displacement, Causes and Effects on North and East Syria” were as follows:
Four individuals were selected for this session, with Dr. Abeer Hassaf chosen to moderate. Dr. Abeer began by posing several questions about migration and its causes, emphasizing that the goal of this migration is to empty the area. She called upon the participants, who included:
Mrs. Shiraz Afrini, member of the coordination committee of the Star Conference
Mr. Jihad Hassen, co-chair of the Social Affairs and Labor Committee in the Civil Council of Raqqa
Dr. Saleh Al-Zouba, Ph.D. in Economics and member of the General Council of the Future Syria Party
Mrs. Shiraz Afrini delivered a lecture entitled “Social and Psychological Alienation and Weak Sense of Belonging as Motivators for Migration, and the Role of Migration and Demographic Change in Cultural Fusion”. She began by discussing the history and causes of migration, asserting that the current migration is due to intervention in the social situation, creating a rift in society and linking it to a masculine mentality brought about by the state and capitalism, emptying the community of its content and creating a division, which opened the way for migration. Mrs. Shiraz proposed some solutions to prevent migration.
Mr. Jihad Hassan delivered a lecture titled “The Policy of Displacement Practiced by Anti-Autonomous Administration Regimes through Military Attacks, Special Warfare, and Siege as a Factor Inciting Migration, and the Negative Effects of Migration on Political, Military, and Demographic Change Issues.” He began with a historical overview of migration and its causes, discussing the influencing factors in migration in the Middle East and in the regions of North and East Syria. He also addressed the regional and international policies, particularly those of Iran and Turkey, which pursued displacement policies in the region. Mr. Jihad discussed the repercussions of migration, emphasizing that it drains the region of its youth and minds. He also discussed the role of the media, specifically the Turkish occupation media, Qatari media, and Kurdish media in Kurdistan, such as Rudaw, Rêbaz, and Ark, as motivators.
Dr. Saleh Al-Zouba delivered a lecture entitled “The Economic Crisis and Its Role in the Phenomenon of Migration, and the Repercussions of Both Migration and Brain Drain on the Economic Security of North and East Syria.” He discussed the significant increase in the phenomenon of migration in recent years, highlighting its repercussions on the migrants themselves, the indigenous population, and the areas from which the population was displaced, as it facilitates demographic change.
Dr. Saleh emphasized that the security and economic factors are the most prominent in the phenomenon of migration, and he touched on illegal migration, describing it as one of the most dangerous types of migration, especially for the youth. He mentioned some factors that affect the economy and lead to its deterioration, as well as proposed some suggestions to improve the economic situation in North and East Syria.
The session included opening the floor for attendees to focus on the session topic and discuss the economic situation in northern and eastern Syria. They also proposed some suggestions to confront the Turkish occupation and improve the economic situation in these areas to reduce migration. They also addressed the suffering of the displaced people from Afrin in Shahba from harassment and continuous shelling in the area, which aims to push the locals to migrate from the areas. The session ended with the presenters answering their questions and clarifying some points for them.
