Geneva Workshop: A Key Step Towards Strengthening Youth’s Role in the Missing Persons Issue
The issue of missing persons in Syria stands as one of the most complex and urgent humanitarian challenges facing both the Syrian society and the international community.
With the ongoing situation since 2011, thousands of civilians have disappeared, casting a heavy shadow over the affected families and society as a whole.
In this context, the role of youth, represented by the Youth Empower Platform, has emerged as one of the key actors in highlighting this issue and enhancing both international and local efforts to uncover the fate of the missing and achieve justice.
Geneva Workshop: International Cooperation to Address the Issue of Missing Persons
On August 30, 2024, the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) organized a workshop in Geneva, bringing together Syrian civil society organizations and family associations based in Europe, all focused on the issue of missing persons.
This workshop provided an important opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences on how to tackle the challenges associated with missing persons in Syria. It focused on unifying efforts among different entities and identifying effective strategies to address this pressing humanitarian issue.
The workshop, which included participants from various local and international organizations, spanned a full day during which multiple key topics were discussed with the aim of making tangible progress in this field.
Enhancing Youth Participation in Peace and Security Issues: The Role of Youth Empower Platform in the Workshop
As part of Youth Empower Platform’s efforts to enhance youth participation in peace and security issues, our presence at the international workshop in Geneva was a vital step. We focused on the importance of uniting the efforts of youth with those of civil society organizations, utilizing media and digital platforms to raise awareness about the issue of missing persons in Syria.
We believe that youth should not have a marginal role, but rather a central one in guiding discussions and formulating strategies that achieve justice for affected families and contribute to building a sustainable future.
In this context, the platform’s Executive Director, Basel Mansour, who participated in the workshop, stated,
“Engaging youth in these crucial issues is not just an option, but a necessity to ensure the continuation of efforts to uncover the fate of the missing. We are committed to working hard and collaborating with all parties to achieve justice and end the suffering of families who have lost their loved ones.“
Towards Achieving Justice and Uncovering the Fate of the Missing: Key Plans and Outcomes
One of the most important outcomes agreed upon during the workshop was the urgent need to establish a unified database that includes all information related to the missing persons in Syria. This database will be a crucial step towards unifying efforts and coordinating work among the various relevant entities, both locally and internationally. There was also an agreement on the importance of systematically documenting cases of disappearance and gathering evidence and testimonies in a manner that ensures their accuracy and integrity.
The workshop also emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation between civil society organizations and relevant international entities to address the challenges posed by the refusal of some parties in Syria to cooperate on this sensitive issue.
In this regard, Youth Empower Platform seeks to expand its role by launching awareness campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness about the issue of missing persons and encouraging the international community to take effective actions to resolve this issue.
Future Prospects for Youth’s Role in Promoting Justice and Building Peace
At Youth Empower Platform, we believe that youth should play a pivotal role in all activities related to peace and security issues. Our future aspirations are directed towards enhancing youth participation in documentation and investigation processes, and providing specialized training programs that strengthen their capabilities in the fields of human rights and transitional justice.
We are working on building a network of active youth who can effectively participate in international platforms, strongly advocate for the rights of missing persons and their families, and enhance and protect human rights in general.
Through our role as a bridge between youth and civil society organizations, we aim to empower youth to be part of the solution, not just passive recipients of information. We strive for youth to have an active role in decision-making processes and contribute to both international and local efforts aimed at achieving justice and uncovering the fate of the missing. We recognize that youth are a force for change, and their active participation is the key to building a safer and more just future for Syria.
Raising Awareness and the Role of Media in Addressing the Issue of Missing Persons
One of the most important strategies that *Youth Empower Platform* has begun to adopt is the use of media as a primary tool in raising awareness about the issue of missing persons. Through modern media and digital platforms, the platform aims to amplify the voices of affected families and highlight their stories and struggles.
Content will be produced in various formats, including awareness videos, webinars, and analytical articles, in Arabic, English, and French, to reach a wide audience and encourage international action.
Additionally, the platform may organize awareness campaigns targeting youth and the general public to increase awareness about the importance of uncovering the fate of the missing and its impact on societal stability. These campaigns aim to shift the issue of missing persons from a marginal concern to a central one that tops both international and local agendas.
Towards a Safer and More Just Future
In conclusion, Youth Empower Platform believes that its role in addressing the issue of missing persons in Syria is part of its broader mission to strengthen youth’s role in peacebuilding and human rights advocacy.
Through active participation in international workshops and the launch of awareness campaigns, the platform strives to be a key player in creating sustainable solutions that ensure justice, defend human rights, and support efforts toward a comprehensive political solution in Syria led by the youth, contributing to a safer and more just future for all.
We invite everyone to join our collective efforts and support our endeavors to build a better future for Syria and future generations.
Together, we can achieve the change we aspire to, ensure the rights of the missing and their families, and build a society that upholds the values of justice and human dignity.
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