Continuing where I left off last time I would like this month to briefly discuss the UFSS (Union of Free Syrian Students), a student political body active in Damascus, Syria since 2011. For those of you who have not read the previous post I stated my desire therein to air some such more human stories of the Syrian conflict as well as using these to write my dissertation. The insights below are drawn from a post on Syria Untold, linked at the foot of this page.
Formed in April 2011, the UFSS evolved initially as a body seeking to voice students’ political opposition to the repressive regime of President Bashar al-Assad*. The UFSS emerged in no small part for the purpose of providing students with a more representative outlet than the government-sanctioned Syrian Student Union, labeled by some as “the regime’s fifth column”. Early activities of the UFSS included online activism (largely in terms of dissemination of information rather than organization), sit-ins and boycotts of examinations – tried and tested means of civil political activism.
As conflict worsened in Syria thanks in no small part to a ‘militarization’ of opposition bemoaned by groups such as the UFSS a new purpose for the union quickly became apparent – that of assisting in the humanitarian processes increasingly vital in Damascus and beyond. Using skills gained at the Damascus College of Science students aided field hospitals by producing supplies running desperately short, for instance manufacturing the chemical additives required in blood bags. They also produced chemicals that would burn for a long time in order to temporarily block streets and allow peaceful protesters time to escape from regime security forces.
The efforts of the UFSS have certainly made a difference to many Syrians; their impact upon the wider situation in the country are less certain. The union does, however, serve as a timely reminder of what student activism can accomplish in a time at home seeing dwindling political participation among younger sectors of the population. Might politics in this country pay more attention to the demands of the young if they represented a greater proportion of the de factoelectorate? Food for thought!
*Since my last post Assad has reportedly been re-elected as President of Syria for a term lasting until 2021, achieving and 89% vote with 73% turnout. I will leave you to make your own opinions as to the extent to which this represents democracy!