Since 2023

The strength and credibility of the Syrian opposition and civil society depends to a large extent on its unity of content, its inclusiveness and its orientation towards internationally recognised human rights standards. In order to promote these aspects and thus social cohesion, we conduct study trips to ethnically and religiously diverse states and regions such as South Tyrol and Kosovo, initiate discussions between the various Kurdish actors in Syria, prepare studies on the situation of minorities in north-eastern Syria and publicise our activities and results via social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), the website https://power-sharing-syria.ezks.org/ as well as in the context of face-to-face events.

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2019-2023

As part of the Power Sharing for a United Syria project, we continued our work with various Syrian opposition groups in order to develop joint positions, particularly in the areas of decentralization and minority rights. Secondly, we provided technical support to the minority representatives on the Syrian Constitutional Committee during the constitutional talks in Geneva with our Minority Advisor Board. Finally, we explained and publicized the discussions within the Constitutional Committee and the positions of the individual groups through interviews, podcasts, studies, explanatory videos and film documentaries.

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2005–2016

In the years between 2005 and 2016, our focus was primarily on strengthening civil society structures in Syria. In particular, we worked with young people and women, i.e. with actors who are more interested in social change than others due to their often marginalized situation.

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2002–2003

A strong command of the German language when children start school is a key qualification for a successful entry into the German education system. Language acquisition ideally takes place in day care or nursery school. From December 2002 until November 2003 we carried out a project in which we encouraged Kurdish and other immigrant parents to place their children in day care for one year. (more…)

1993–2000

Since 1993 we have organized several interdisciplinary lecture series at the Free University Berlin (FU) on Kurdish themes. In the academic year 1996/1997 we successfully convinced the university to establish a guest professor for Kurdish Studies in the FU Institute of Anthropology. The position was filled by Professor Martin van Bruinessen. (more…)