Outputs and recommendations of the Syrian Forum for National Dialogue
In an effort to facilitate discussions among Syrians about their country’s future, governance, and constitutional framework, the Rojava Center for Strategic Studies organized a national dialogue forum titled “The Syrian Forum for National Dialogue: Toward a Free, Pluralistic, and Democratic Syria”. The event took place in Raqqa on February 27, 2025, bringing together more than 200 participants representing a diverse array of political, social, intellectual, and civil society organizations, including women’s groups.
The forum welcomed not only representatives from northeastern Syria region, but also 110 participants from outside the region, including individuals from Suwayda, Latakia, Safita, Baniyas, Salamiyah, Jableh, Daraa, the Golan Heights, Aleppo and its countryside, Damascus and its countryside, Tartus, Hama, Homs, and Idlib. More than 100 participants from North and East Syria also took part.
Despite differences in perspectives and ideologies, the forum was marked by a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to addressing Syria’s critical juncture. Participants engaged in constructive discussions aimed at shaping Syria’s future, setting aside political, partisan, sectarian, and ethnic agendas in favor of the greater national interest.
Reflecting Syria’s diverse social fabric, the forum brought together Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Turkmens, Alawites, Druze, Sunnis, and Yazidis in an open dialogue—free from external pressure or censorship. Discussions were characterized by transparency, inclusivity, and mutual respect. A broad range of ideas and proposals were presented, leading to a set of common conclusions.
At the end of the forum, a committee—selected by the participants—compiled and formalized these shared points as official recommendations for the future of Syria.
Outputs and recommendations of the Syrian Forum for National Dialogue towards a free, pluralistic and democratic Syria
Communities across Syria face complex economic, political and security challenges as a result of the practices of the authoritarian regime for more than sixty years; which has transformed the country into a failed state despite its rich historical legacy and rich natural resources. Instead of establishing a state of citizenship, as stipulated in the constitution set by this regime, it created a parallel state that suppressed freedoms, violated rights and stole the country’s financial resources according to the laws of the oligarchy that dominated the country. In the end, the tyranny system in Syria fell thanks to the sacrifices and efforts of hundreds of Syrian national forces from all components and in various Syrian regions. Syria is currently witnessing signs of the formation of a new political and administrative system, and various Syrian national forces are working to put forward viewpoints and proposals about the transitional phase that the country is going through. The new authority in Damascus has shown signs of its openness to internal dialogue; however, despite this, a state of mistrust regarding this phase still dominates the majority of Syrian societies, and most forces seem unable to build trust among themselves; as the exclusionary mentality still seems to dominate the political discourse of many
In order to bring the views of the Syrian political elites closer together, and to prevent the exclusionary mentality from controlling the transitional phase, and based on our conviction of the necessity of continuing the national dialogue and building a new political system in which all Syrians enjoy their rights in accordance with the principles of justice and the components of national identity, we participated in the activities of the Syrian Forum for National Dialogue towards a Democratic, Peaceful and Pluralistic Syria, with the participation of an elite of intellectuals, academics, religious men, women, youth, artists and all segments and orientations of society from all Syrian components, to consult among ourselves about the nature and form of the future that we all aspire to in the new Syria, and to highlight the will of the Syrian people to determine the foundations for building Syrian national consensus, through exchanging views on the political situation in Syria, discussing the most prominent challenges facing the issue of the Syrian national dialogue, and proposing possible solutions to the various crises
At the conclusion of the work of this forum, we reached a set of ideas and proposals that we present to both public opinion and those concerned (decision makers in Damascus and the areas of the autonomous administration). Based on this matter, we emphasize the following
1.The Syrian national dialogue process, without taking into account democratic principles and clear national foundations agreed upon by all Syrians, will not be crowned with success and will cause the country’s crises to continue
2.We reject external dictates on the Syrian national dialogue process, which aim to exclude one of the components and entrench hate speech among Syrians
3.Syria’s strength lies in the diversity of its components, and this diversity can only be responded to by applying decentralization in the country’s administration; it is the guarantee for achieving internal peace, which is a major condition for lifting sanctions on Syria and achieving economic recovery for the country
4.The comprehensive national identity should not contradict local and sub-identities, as each component has an influential role in the modern political history of Syria. Therefore, this fact must be officially recognized and they must be actively involved in the process of rebuilding the system of government and preparing the constitution in the new Syria
5.We stress the implementation of transitional justice to address the repercussions of the injustice that Syrians have been subjected to since the founding of the Syrian state, and to restore rights to their owners by any possible means
.. 6.It stresses the necessity of the voluntary and safe return of all displaced persons and refugees to their areas, and providing them with the necessary support to achieve their human security
7.The injustice that most Syrian societies have been subjected to, and the cultural and ethnic diversity that characterizes Syria, impose the formulation of a “social contract” with the participation of all political and social components without excluding anyone, and considering it the sole reference for drafting the country’s new constitution
8.Women had an important role in the Syrian revolution and an influential role in protecting local communities, and we reject any infringement of their rights or deprivation of them from any sovereign or administrative position in various official and civil institutions
9.The region of North and East Syria has a historical, political, social and cultural specificity, and we reject the exclusion of its institutions from the process of building the political, administrative, economic and cultural system in the new Syria
. 10.Natinal wealth belongs to all Syrians, and Syrians must participate in its management in accordance with the principles of justice and in a manner that serves the process of Development and welfare of all citizens in various Syrian regions
. 11.We stress the necessity of the withdrawal of the occupying forces from Syrian territory, and the withdrawal of every foreign force that harms any of the Syrian components
. 12.We call for the formation of a national democratic front that brings together all Syrians
13.The participants agreed to organize forums and dialogue seminars in various Syrian regions to discuss their future.
. 14.Participants emphasized the role of civil society organizations, youth and women’s movements
Participants in the Syrian Forum for National Dialogue: Towards a Democratic, Peaceful and Pluralistic Syria
Raqqa city, North and East Syria region, 2025.02.27
