Advocacy Day

On September 13 & 14 Mercy Without Limits (MWL) was proud to attend the national Advocacy Day for Syria. The 2-day event was organized by the American Relief Coalition for Syria (ARCS), a coalition of non-political, humanitarian organizations who provide multi-sector relief and services to Syrians inside and outside of Syria. The 2-day event was kicked off with an advocacy day training and discussion. Advocates split up to meet with their state political representatives. The two main talking points discussed with policy-makers were: 

1. The Importance of accessible education in Syria: 1/3 Syrian children are not in school and only 1% ever reach college-level education. Lack of education or decreased access to education leads to destabilization in the region and the role policymakers to ensure funding for Syrian education. 
2. The situation in Idleb: 1.7 million people in Idleb alone depend on humanitarian aid for survival and 1/3 of that population are children. Policy makers were asked if they could give a floor speech about the implications of increased violence on the safety of the region and other countries. 

Following advocacy day activities, members concluded the day with a thoughtful and optimistic de-brief. On Friday, the second day of the 2-day event, attendees attended a series of workshops as part of the Educating Syria’s Future: Challenges and Opportunities panel event. Notable topics of interest were formal & informal elementary education, accreditation, and access to higher education.

Mercy Without Limits Director of Communications, Reem Sharaf, gave a presentation on MWL’s work with Aleppo University. Ms. Sharaf presented on the need for accessible higher education and the impact higher education has on the short-term and long-term stability and sustainability of Syria.