6:15 Opening Remarks & Panel Discussion
Stavros Lambrinidis
Ambassador of the European Union to the United States
6:30 Panel
Michael A. Köhler, Director for the Neighborhood South, DG NEAR, European Commission
Jennifer Cafarella, Research Director, Institute for the Study of War
Eric Gaudiosi, Office director, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs/Levant, U.S. Department of State
Mona Yacoubian, Senior Advisor, Syria, Middle East and North Africa, U.S. Institute of Peace
Kevin Baron, Executive Editor, Defense One (moderator)
As the Syrian war enters its ninth year—and shortly after the liberation of the last territory held by Da'esh—the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Over 11 million Syrians still need assistance, and more than 5 million are displaced outside the country. In the margins of the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the Delegation of the European Union to the United States will launch an eye-opening "Faces of Resilience: From Syria and the Region" exhibition and gather key policy experts to discuss the way forward in Syria with a particular focus on the UN-led political process, how to avoid a protracted situation of "no war and no peace,” and the importance of accountability, justice, and social cohesion in Syria. Speakers will address pressing needs of Syrian refugees and the local communities welcoming them, reflect on the key actions needed to empower Syrian civil society, and discuss how to further address the root causes of violent extremism and terrorism leading to its lasting eradication in Syria and the wider region.