The Civil Society Support Room (CSSR)

The Civil Society Support Room (CSSR) was established in January 2016 by the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria (OSE-Syria) as a mechanism to consult with a broad and diverse range of civil society actors. Through the CSSR civil society actors can meet, interact, and provide their insights and ideas to the OSE-Syria, relevant UN actors and international stakeholders. This mechanism aims at making the UN mediation process more inclusive. The OSE-Syria CSSR team endeavours to regularly review the CSSR’s format and processes as opportunities to do so arise, based on the inputs and insights of stakeholders during consultations and the priorities they convey to the OSE- Syria during CSSR consultations.

UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015) has mandated the UN SE to seek a sustainable solution to the ongoing crisis in Syria through an inclusive Syrian- led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. As frequently highlighted in his briefings to the UN Security Council, the UN SE, firmly believes that the voices and views of civil society organisations (CSOs) play a crucially important role in achieving this aim. Furthermore, comparative research undertaken by the UN and other international organisations clearly suggests that efforts to include civil society in any political process is bound to have positive effects on the sustainability of both a peace accord and related peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts. Several international studies also suggest that civil society can provide invaluable insight and support to a formal mediation process. The CSSR operates according to three key principles The ownership of the CSSR remains with Syrian civil society, including through shaping the CSSR agenda and managing its discussions. All activities are meant to ensure that the voices and concerns of civil society are taken into account in the political and mediation process facilitated by the UN in Geneva. All CSSR activities are intended to assist and complement the existing efforts of CSOs and actors to build bridges and expand networks across Syria’s geographical and political divide.