For the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the Syrian revolution, Finnish-Syrian Friendship Association (SSYS) is organising a seminar called The diaspora possibilities of influence. The event will be held through Microsoft Teams on Thursday 18^th March 2021, from 2-4 pm (Finnish time). The seminar will be held in English, and a translation to English will be provided in Arabic-speaking parts. The purpose of this event is to hear from experts about the current situation of Syrian diaspora and its possibilities, and to start building a network of Syrian diaspora in Finland and Europe. We will also hear about the Finnish Policy to the Conflict in Syria. The diaspora work is still in its infancy, but by working together the voice of Syrian diaspora will be heard, and one day the diaspora’s perspectives and experiences can be taken into consideration in development policy in national and international level.

Programme of the day:

2 pm: Emmiina Vesalainen, project expert in SSYS: Opening of the seminar

2.10: Sirkku Kivistö, President of Board of SSYS: Children create their life in diaspora – Daily life in diaspora and belonging to Syria

2.20: Mania Alkhatib, Director of SSYS: Views on diaspora work

2.30: Petra Paasilinna, Counsellor for Syria, Unit for the Middle East of Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland: Finland’s Policy to the Conflict in Syria

2.45: Najat Abdul Samad, Syrian doctor and civic activist living in Berlin: Investing the resources of Syrian diaspora

3.15: Dr. Bruno Lefort, expert on Lebanese and Syrian diasporas, senior research fellow at Tampere Peace Research Institute (TAPRI), Tampere University: Introduction of the Academy of Finland DIASCON project – Understanding conflict transportation in diaspora settings: some thoughts on the Lebanese and Syrian experiences

3.45: Discussion

4.00: Closing of the seminar

You can register to the seminar by sending an e-mail to emmiina.vesalainen@ssys.fi no later than 17^th March 2021. The Microsoft Teams link will be sent to the participants one day prior to the event. Please spread the word of the seminar to your contacts, we hope for a large public inside and outside of Finland.