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As part of the preparations for the “National Congress of the Peoples of Cizre and Euphrates”, to be held by the Democratic Syrian Council (MSD) at the end of November, Riyad Derar announced the congress will discuss the political, military, management, education and service sectors in the region.
According to Hawarnews, since 11 September, the MSD has organised workshops in the cities of North and East Syria with the slogan “Towards a national congress for the peoples of Cizre and the Euphrates”. Representatives of Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, Armenian, Turkmen and Circassian populations participated in 13 workshops held in Hesekê, Qamishlo, Kobanê, Manbij, Tebqa and Raqqa.
Speaking about the importance of the workshops, MSD co-chair Riyad Derar said: ”The workshops held in the cities of North and East Syria have become an important element of social and political life. After five years of experience with the Autonomous Administration and the MSD, and the success of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the workshops were held in a safe political environment”. Derar continued: ”Despite the embargo and the difficulties experienced in our region, the workshops are important for peace and reconstruction. In the workshops, we discussed the opinions of citizens and leaders of the society in order to build a new process. Those who had to migrate to other parts of Syria due to the war also participated in the workshops”.
Derar also noted that after the Congress, which is due to take place on 25 November, a comprehensive restructuring process will begin. ”Congress will carry out studies on political activities, union studies, freedom of expression, social services and the work of organisations”. Derar added that activities will also be carried out “to support freedom of the press and non-governmental organisations”.
Derar went on to say that a new democratic mechanism will be established to allow for mass participation and that this mechanism will support political and social activities. He said primary education should be compulsory for all students and that new schools should be established. Workshops would emphasise the road map to be followed for the recognition of an education system in Northern and Eastern Syria.
Economy and agriculture
Derar also noted that the issue of economics will be discussed in the Congress, as well as “How to meet basic needs and distribution according to ”need” and ”price’ policies”, he said.
Regarding agriculture, Derar said, “Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main sources of income in the region. In this context, we will discuss how support should be provided to all farmers in terms of production, distribution and monitoring of agricultural activities, especially the agricultural taxes paid to the Damascus government”.
Derar said, “The Congress has great importance as it will reveal a shared perspective on Syria. It will ensure the participation of local people in a decentralised democracy based on brotherhood. We expect this Congress to be a great success”.
