Symposium in Hasakah highlights role of Christian youth in shaping Syria’s future

HASAKAH, North and East Syria — The Syriac Orthodox Virgin Mary Church in Hasakah, North and East Syria, hosted a symposium organized by the Syriac Progressive Youth Union (SPYU). The event brought together members of the SPYU and representatives from various Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) sand Christian youth institutions in the city.

The symposium focused on three central themes, all emphasizing youth activism and unity in advocating for their rights and preserving the heritage of their people. According to the SPYU, the symposium aimed to examine the role of Christian youth during this critical period and to develop strategies to strengthen the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community in its historical homeland.

Time of Great Challenges

Ibrahim Adamo, head of the Syriac Cultural Association, underscored the importance of engaging Christian youth in the region, describing the current era as one of significant challenges. He stressed the pivotal role of young people in both the present and future of the region.

Adamo highlighted the need for collective awareness and action to address the current situation and the future of Syria. “This is the time for young people to take an active role in shaping Syria’s future,” he said. He also noted that the symposium offered a platform for youth to voice their concerns and collaborate with institutions like the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) to secure Christian rights in Syria’s new constitution.

Raising Awareness Among Youth

Sylvia al-Asia, Director of the Hasakah branch of the Elias Hanna Cultural and Charitable Foundation, emphasized that the symposium aimed to raise awareness and highlight the critical role young people will play in Syria’s rebuilding.

Hanna told SyriacPress that Christian and Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) youth must stay united and actively engaged, as they form the foundation of the community’s future. “They are eager for opportunities like this,” she said, urging for more events to address the growing desire among young Christians for knowledge and involvement.

Empowering Christian Youth

Silva Bri, a member of the Syriac Youth Committee, highlighted the primary objective of the symposium: empowering young Christians who have endured persecution, fear, and hardship in recent years. She pointed out that these struggles have driven many to consider emigration as their only option.

Bri expressed to SyriacPress optimism for initiatives that provide young people with opportunities through symposiums, projects, and lectures. “Youth are the backbone of society,” she said. “Without them, communities weaken.”

The event featured engaging discussions and exchanges of ideas, culminating in recommendations aimed at strengthening the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) presence in their ancestral homeland.