Project supporting Syrians in future reconstruction efforts concludes

AMMAN — The Spanish embassy in Amman on Thursday celebrated the closing ceremony of Tahdir-Masar project, which aims to support “qualified, committed Syrian citizens in their efforts to prepare for multilevel leadership in the transition process towards a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Syria”.

Launched in 2014 under the title “Strengthening Social Cohesion for a democratic and inclusive Syrian Civil Society”, the project concluded after over two years of training for Syrian political and peace activists, lawyers, journalists, humanitarian and medical staff and NGOs staff. 

“Over the past years, we have witnessed with discomfort the militarisation of the Syrian conflict, while sticking to the idea that a military solution to the crisis cannot guarantee a prosperous and peaceful Syria, which is why Spain supports a political solution involving all concerned parties,” Spanish Ambassador Aránzazu Bañón said, expressing hopes for the project to “sow the seed of hope for the future of Syria”.

The ambassador highlighted the “economic and social progress made by Spain over the past 50 years”, showing willingness to “keep building on the Spanish post-conflict experience to support Syria in its future transition”.

Co-funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Tahdir-Masar was implemented under a memorandum of understanding between AECID and the Jordanian government. 

In a video played at the ceremony, EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana said: “The EU has supported the Tahdir-Masar project as part of its strategic plan for Syria and we hope that the participants become leaders in the Syrian political transition.”

Head of Cooperation with Arab Countries and Asia at AECID Javier Parrondo stressed: “If Spain was once able to overcome totalitarianism, Syria will also be capable to overcome this conflict. This change requires efforts coming from all parties involved, and we have contributed to this cause by supporting women, the media and civil society leaders.”

Counting over 1,200 beneficiaries, the initiative involved the Arab Women Media Centre, the Jordanian National Forum for Women, the Centre for Strategic Studies, as well as the Complutense Institute of International Studies, the Spanish Radio and Television Institute and the Toledo International Centre for Peace in Spain. 

It comprises three main areas of intervention including the promotion of constructive leadership in a transitional context, the empowerment of women within the Syrian society and the development of media towards democratic governability. 

Director of Nationality and Foreigner Affairs at the Ministry of Interior Basem Dahamseh stressed: “The Jordanian government believes in these elements as progress builders and is keen on transferring them to the Syrian people.”

On behalf of all participants in the project, speaker Zeina Jbeily thanked “all those who believed in the Syrian message and its contribution in helping Syrian people overcome their obstacles”, noting that “the initiative has been successful, and we hope for this efforts to be sustained in the long term to build further cooperation among states and individuals”.