Syria

According to a joint study by UNDP and the government of Syria, the poverty level in 2005 in the nation of Syria was just above thirty percent. The study indicated education as the single most correlated factor affecting the poverty line in Syria. Poverty levels in Syria are inversely correlated with the achievement of higher levels of education. Eighteen percent of those individuals living below the poverty line were found to be illiterate. Individuals who are illiterate were the hardest hurt by poverty. During 1996-2004, poverty levels in the nation rose. It is important to note that the poverty levels in Syria are shallow, meaning that individuals mainly live just below the poverty line. This indicates that even just a minimal change in growth can have significant impacts on the poverty level within the county. If the change in growth is small but positive, it can alleviate a significant amount of individuals out of poverty. Likewise, a reduction in the level of growth can bring quite a large number of individuals to subsist below the poverty line. A number of policies must be implemented in order to alleviate the poverty problem in the nation. Investment in regions across the country is crucial in order to promote growth.

Unemployment has risen in recent years in Syria. Underemployment is also very high. As the labor force has expanded, the number of job opportunities available to individuals has not. Moreover, the skills learned during the school years do not match with the skills that employers need. Economic insecurity is felt widely by individuals throughout the country.

Syria is an authoritarian country. The government controls much of the media. The state runs the television stations and the news agency. It also operates a radio station within the country. In 2005 Al-Madina FM became the first privately run radio station in the nation. Freedom of the press is extremely limited. Any material that criticizes or embarrasses the president and/or his family is banned. The privately owned FM radio channels are not allowed to report the news or discuss politics. Although citizens of the country do have access to the internet, the state censors oppositional views. Freedom of assembly is restricted. According to the US State Department, the ruling Ba’th regime placed some limitations on freedom of religion as well as on freedom of movement. Furthermore, gay rights are nonexistent. Homosexuality is illegal in Syria and individuals found to be gay may be imprisoned for several years. Furthermore, known individuals to be gay are often publicly ostracized. Overall, human rights conditions in Syria are a poor. In 2005, the non-profit organization Freedom House, rated political and civil rights in the country giving it a rating of “not free”.

Human rights continue to deteriorate in Syria. Arbitrary arrest and imprisonment is common in the country. Individuals often remain in jail for long durations of time without having a trial. The prison conditions are very poor. Although officially forbidden by the constitution, evidence indicates torture is regularly used in detention centers. Methods of torture used, include: electric shocks, beatings, whippings, and crushing of the fingers of detainees, among others. The US State Department reported Syria often detains family members of prisoners or fugitives in order to obtain confessions or to get individuals to surrender.

Though minority groups tend to be tolerated, certain groups such as the Kurds are regularly discriminated against. Hundreds of thousands of Kurdish individuals born in Syria have been denied citizenship. Numerous restrictions and prohibitions include not allowing private Kurdish schools, banning Kurdish books, restricting the use of the Kurdish language, and prohibitions on employment. It has been reported that the non-citizen Kurds born in the country may soon be recognize by the state and granted citizenship.

HIV and AIDS are taboo subjects in Syria. The Syrian government provides health care including medicine to help combat the disease to HIV/AIDS patients free of charge. Although, the number of individuals affected with HIV/AIDS is relatively low (less than 1%) in comparison with other nations in the world, the number of affected individuals in Syria continues to increase. It is necessary for the government to partake in awareness campaigns and implement programs in order to combat the disease. Because the subject is considered to be taboo in Syria, numerous individuals remain unaware of the causes and effects of HIV/AIDS. In order for individuals to take the proper preventive and treatment measures, they first must become educated about the subject.

A current problem facing the nation is the failure of the country’s immunization programs. Individuals have often died as a result of the inability to obtain available vaccines to combat diseases. According to the World Health Organization, over 4.1 children die in 2002 as a result of not obtaining available vaccines. It is of the utmost importance for the nation of Syria to immediately enact heath care reforms. Moreover, as a result of poor living conditions, intestinal and respiratory diseases are prevalent and persist throughout the country’s regions particularly in rural areas.

The nation of Syria is concerned with a number of environmental issues, including: deforestation, over grazing, desertification, and water pollution, among others.

Farming and livestock grazing has depleted the country’s vegetation. Soil erosion and desertification has significantly reduced forest regions in Syria. Moreover, water pollution as a result of oil spills, human wastes, and sewage is a great concern of the nation. Water contamination has led to the spread of various diseases. Only just above sixty percent of the individuals in rural regions in Syria have access to clean water.

The threat to the natural animal life is a significant concern in Syria. Several plant and animal species are endangered. Currently, the bald ibis, the Mediterranean monk, and the seal face extinction. Several animals have already gone extinct in Syria, including: the cheetah, the Persian fallow deer, the Anatolian leopard, and the Israel painted frog.

Syria has taken steps to bring about awareness to individuals of the environmental issues facing the nation. The county has join with other Middle Eastern nations and the United Nations in order to promote Arab Environment Day, which helps to educate individuals on the causes of environmental problems and what steps individuals can take in order to live a more environmentally friendly life. Syria is also working with the UN to develop and implement environmental programs.

In the Syrian Arab Republic, individuals are defined as being literate if they can read and write in Arabic. In 2006, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported Syria has an overall 79.6% literacy rate. While 86% of the male population is considered to be literate, only 73.6% of the female population is deemed to be literate. The ruling Ba’th regime promotes the education of individuals. Persons ranging from the age of 6-12 years old are required to attend school. The government provides most education in the country; however, as of 2001 private universities were allowed to be established. The state has increased educational spending in recent years. However, funding still remains limited. School facilities are poor and classrooms are overcrowded.

In order to help modernize the country, the government has required English and French instruction in elementary schools. Furthermore, computer literacy is required by all individuals by the time they are in high school. At the university level, Syria places a strong emphasis on learning the subjects of medicine and engineering while placing less importance on the subjects of the liberal arts. There are seven major government run universities in Syria. However, enrollments in universities continue to decline. Moreover, according to the United Nations Development Program even if individuals have more years of education, it makes no difference in terms of their salary levels as compare to non-higher educational individuals. Thus, individuals have little incentive to attend college.

Furthermore, the subjects that tend to be stressed in the schools aren’t the subjects that are most needed in order for individuals to be able to function in the labor market. Teaching methods tend to be narrow and authoritative. Students memorize information instead of reading the information for understanding. The state does not foster active education. Educational reform continues to be needed.

Arab Scientists Organization - Let's work together to publish the knowledge and science to serve humanity. This site is considered one of the important scientific sites in the Arab World. Our site is an ambitious project; it aims to publish all scientific and applicative researches that interest the Arab world in the various fields. Our site offers quick publishing of the most important experiments and scientific applicative research’s results in the Arab World (Agrarian, Medicine, Engineering …). Moreover, our site is trying to associate rich knowledgeable base for researchers everywhere. We invite all the scientists and organizations interested in scientific researches to support our site in order to promote the scientific researches across the Arab world.

Arab Writer’s Union - The Official Arab Writers Union site, the complete publications, information, books, magazines, foreign literatures, poetry, Story, drama, novels, criticism, newspaper and all free.

Committees for the Defense of Human Rights in Syria - The Committees for the Defense of Human Rights in Syria (CDHRS) works for the protection of human rights in Syria and the repeal of all laws constraining freedom of expression. CDHRS also conducts campaigns for the release of political detainees.

The Fund for Integrated World Development in Syria - The Fund for Integrated Rural Development of Syria “FIRDOS” is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to promote comprehensive socio-economic development in Syria’s rural communities. Established by Mrs. Asma Al-Assad, wife of the president of the Syrian Arab Republic in July 2001, “FIRDOS” aims to play a leading role in advancing comprehensive and sustainable human development through the direct participation of the Syrian population. FIRDOS vision for development is based on strengthening and enhancing the capacity of communities and local groups, whilst respecting the positive values of local culture and heritage. FIRDOS believes in fostering local models of development to increase community participation and improve the quality of people's lives, especially in needy rural areas.

Human Rights Organization in Syria - HRAS is a non-governmental organization established on the 2/7/2001 by a group of intellectuals and activists working in the field. HRAS has no religious, political or social group biases or affiliations and does not seek private gain. The association attempts to fulfill its goals through pacific means. Monitor and document any violation of human rights occurring within the Syrian Arab Republic. Educate the community about human rights principles and values and promote the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other related human rights conventions. We strongly believe in the indivisibility and interdependence of civil and political and economic, social and cultural rights. Defend the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the individual. Improve the principles of human rights and work on their growth in the light of developing knowledge, the gradual increase of human consciousness and scientific experience. Cooperate and coordinate with human rights institutions and NGOs in the Arab world and the wider international community, to share in elevating the stature of the human being and his rights, in all corners of the globe.

SOS Children Villages in Syria - SOS Children's Villages is an international child welfare organization providing long term care for orphans and children in need. We provide permanent, loving homes for such children, regardless of race, nationality or creed, and prepare them for rewarding, independent lives. The family-like structure is formed by four basic principles: mother, brothers and sisters, house and village. Special emphasis is placed on giving the children a thorough preparation for life on their own afterwards. This is in order that the children can be integrated into their local community and opens job opportunities for them. In addition, we support the SOS Children's Villages educational, social, medical and other programs that benefit children and communities in need. SOS Syria came to existence in 1976 and the first children's villages were officially opened in 1979. Currently SOS Syria runs two children's villages, 3 youth facilities, a social centre and a vocational training centre.

Syrian Humans Rights Committee - We are an independent committee to defending the human rights in Syria. Our mission is to provide the international community by up to date information about the human rights situation in Syria. Our work is based on volunteer workers who are independent. We are committed to be the voice of the human rights in Syria and we welcome your contribution, and we assure you that information that we receive will be strictly confidential.

Student World Assembly - The Student World Assembly is a non-governmental, non-partisan organization created to represent students globally. It provides a deliberative assembly where students around the world can exchange views, vote on global issues through online discussion forums and in annual international conventions, and translate these views into meaningful actions.

Volunteers for Peace: Syria - Volunteers for Peace promotes International Voluntary Service as an effective means of intercultural education and community service. We provide projects where people from diverse backgrounds can work together to help overcome the need, violence and environmental decay facing our planet. These projects are a practical way to both prevent and resolve conflict. By participating in a project, you will help sow the seeds of peace. We hope that you will join us in this effort.