On Sunday, 22 September 2024, the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies and the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies organised a seminar entitled "Education and Identity during Times of Conflict: Narrating the Syrian Experience," at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. The seminar was delivered by Dr Yassin Jammoul, President of Al-Maali Private University and a researcher specialising in Syrian affairs. The discussion was moderated by Dr Ibrahim Al-Khatib, Assistant Professor in the Conflict Management and Humanitarian Action Program at the Doha Institute.
The seminar focused on the issues related to Syrian identity that emerge from the educational system and its associated practices, focusing on the politicisation of the identity through the education process. Dr Yassin Jammoul pointed out that soft colonialism, or foreign intervention, is one of the main factors shaping identity, influencing various aspects of life, including education, religion, society, and politics. This influence is particularly evident through the integration of Russian, Turkish, and Iranian identity elements into the Syrian educational system. Such integration includes the teaching of their languages, which reflects the influence of these countries on the Syrian community.
The event also addressed the difficulties and challenges facing the construction of Syrian national identity through the educational system. Although identity can be used as a tool for conflict resolution, there are significant risks when it becomes exploited to achieve political objectives. Therefore, the speaker emphasised the fact that education should be viewed as a means of building peace and promoting stability.
Dr Jammoul explained that the Syrian educational system faces enormous challenges, with hundreds of thousands of students across various educational levels are being deprived of their right to education. As most of them struggle to secure the basic necessities of life, this situation further increases the poverty rate, imposing a considerable strain on the Syrian population. Additionally, it was discussed that the educational system suffers from a severe lack of teacher training and preparation. The situation has been exacerbated by armed groups that have repurposed educational institutions for their own agendas, further destabilising the sector. A large number of schools and universities were targeted in Aleppo, resulting in the migration of millions of Syrians. Such brain drain of Syrian professionals and intellectuals has further deteriorated the educational system.
In this regard, the speaker discussed the importance of education in addressing these challenges. Dr Jammoul noted that even though education has been adversely affected by the conflict, it has the potential to serve as a fundamental solution for the rebuilding and reshaping of Syrian identity. By enhancing students' access to formal academic qualifications, opportunities can be created for them to achieve a dignified professional and social future. Education, particularly in such contexts, is perceived as a basic need such as food and water since it can facilitate the post-conflict recovery. It is the foundation upon which solutions to the political, economic, and social problems plaguing the country can be developed.
Dr Jammoul explained that education represents a glimmer of hope amidst the tragic circumstances Syria is currently experiencing. It provides necessary guidance and direction to navigate out of the prolonged crisis. There must be a commitment to continuously educating the population, with a focus on encouraging people of all ages to pursue education, whilst also enhancing access for women and girls across diverse fields. The speaker stated that there should be an emphasis on fostering a culture that values education, granting teachers the rights and recognition they deserve. Additionally, collaboration with various organisations and institutions, such as orphanages, should be an integral part of improving the educational system in Syria. He concluded that the Syrian population needs appropriate skills, training, and educational mechanisms based on democratic principles and dialogue rather than resorting to violence.
At the end of the seminar, attendees had an opportunity to express their opinions and ideas through the Q&A session, which enriched the discussion and emphasised the importance of maintaining the cohesion of Syrian identity. The audience highlighted the significance of establishing an independent educational system that would facilitate the post-conflict reconstruction process.