The American Coalition for Syria (ACS) presents Solidarity #ForSyria, taking place in downtown Washington, D.C. from February 26-27, 2023, and featuring community building and advocacy for earthquake victims.
Following the tragic series of earthquakes in northern Syria and southern Turkey, ACS decided to host an emergency fly-in to help support earthquake victims. Solidarity #ForSyria will gather advocates for two days of learning, community building, and congressional advocacy. Heroes from the ground will join to provide a firsthand perspective of the catastrophe.
The planned schedule is as follows and is subject to adjustment:
Sunday, February 18 Community Day
10:00 am – 11:00 am Welcome and Mixer
11:00 am – 11:30 pm ACS Welcome
11:30 am – 1:00 pm #SyriaOnTheGround
Keynote speaker Syrian Forum President Ghassan Hitto with SAMS President Amjad Rass, ACS Board Member Zaher Sahloul, and White Helmet Chief Raed Saleh joining via zoom. Moderated by Alaa Kamnaksh, ACS and SAC Director of Operations.
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm Break
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm Investing in northwest Syria in the wake of the earthquakes
Presentation by ACS Board Member Yaser Tabbara
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm Break
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm Advocacy Training: Priorities and Strategies
SAC/ACS Head of Policy Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, ACS Senior Policy Advisor Wa’el Alzayat, Atlantic Council Senior Nonresident Fellow and head of the Syria Project, Qutaiba Idlbi, SAC Government Relations Officer Chad Brand. Moderated by SAC Grassroots Advocacy Officer Jenny Lindell.
4:00 pm – 4:10 pm Break
4:10 pm – 5:30 pm Community discussion: Coping and Helping
Dr. Renee DeBoard-Lucas, Board Chair of the TRUE Center
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Dinner and musical guest Ghuydar Bashmaf
Monday, February 19 Advocacy Day
9:00 am – 2:00 pm Advocacy Meetings on Capitol Hill
10:00 am – 11:00 am Welcome and Mixer
11:00 am – 11:30 pm ACS Welcome
11:30 am – 1:00 pm #SyriaOnTheGround
Keynote speaker Syrian Forum President Ghassan Hitto with SAMS President Amjad Rass, ACS Board Member Zaher Sahloul, and White Helmet Chief Raed Saleh joining via zoom. Moderated by Alaa Kamnaksh, ACS and SAC Director of Operations.
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm Break
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm Investing in northwest Syria in the wake of the earthquakes
Presentation by ACS Board Member Yaser Tabbara
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm Break
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm Advocacy Training: Priorities and Strategies
SAC/ACS Head of Policy Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, ACS Senior Policy Advisor Wa’el Alzayat, Atlantic Council Senior Nonresident Fellow and head of the Syria Project, Qutaiba Idlbi, SAC Government Relations Officer Chad Brand. Moderated by SAC Grassroots Advocacy Officer Jenny Lindell.
4:00 pm – 4:10 pm Break
4:10 pm – 5:30 pm Community discussion: Coping and Helping
Dr. Renee DeBoard-Lucas, Board Chair of the TRUE Center
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Dinner and musical guest Ghuydar Bashmaf
Monday, February 19 Advocacy Day
9:00 am – 2:00 pm Advocacy Meetings on Capitol Hill
Congressional Advocacy Day in March 2022
For more on the response of ACS to the earthquake, please visit our Earthquake Crisis Center.
The American Coalition for Syria is a coalition of specialized, multi-faith, US-based organizations that support a principled US policy based on democratic reform, human rights, accountability, and women's empowerment in Syria.
Contact Information: Jenny Lindell, jlindell@sacouncil.com
