The role of international civil society organisations in conflict resolution and peace building: Utilising social media to address power struggles in Syria

In the years leading up to March 2011, a period characterized by extensive public protests in Syria, International Civil Society Organisations (ICSOs) collaborated with Syrian civil groups on a range of initiatives. However, this engagement faced stagnation due to a lack of essential information and inadequate communication methods, which also led to a surge in dissatisfaction. The crux of the issue appears to be the coercive suppression of opposing rallies that ultimately escalated into armed conflict, exacerbating forced migrations and amplifying the refugee crisis in Syria and beyond. A critical examination of this period delineates the shortcomings in the coordination among ICSOs, underscoring a pressing need for effective communication strategies to foster global peace. The Syrian populace, marked by diversity and a firm commitment to democratic governance, exhibits notable resilience amidst the prevailing circumstances. Recognizing this, the current research proposes the development of a novel communication strategy harnessing the power of social media platforms to enhance engagement with the Syrian public. This initiative seeks to facilitate bi-directional information sharing and foster active dialogue at various societal levels, underlining the potential of social media in advancing a comprehensive peace plan. The proposed strategy outlines a renewed focus on inclusive communication tactics, encouraging grassroots involvement essential for addressing the deep-seated issues in society. Leveraging sentiment analysis of discourse on social media platforms, it aims to glean crucial insights to steer future strategic directions. The researchers posit that implementing this innovative framework could significantly enhance the role of ICSOs in fostering a cohesive global community, suggesting its broader application across other Arab states facing similar challenges. This study, therefore, advocates for a transformative approach wherein ICSOs leverage informed communication to build a society grounded in mutual understanding and respect, laying the cornerstone for a potential blueprint in advancing global peace through strategic engagements.