About

Damascus Bureau is the Institute for War and Peace Reporting’s forum for independent Syrian journalists. The men and women who write for Damascus Bureau report on Syria’s social, political and economic affairs as well as those affecting the Syrian diaspora in the surrounding countries as part of an ongoing journalism training program.

Damascus Bureau is a bilingual forum. Most of the articles published on Damascus Bureau’s English homepage are edited translations of stories originally written in Arabic.

IWPR’s early work in Syria, which began in 2007, sowed the seeds of a media movement in the country and Damascus Bureau has since become one of the most trusted and widely read sources of information on Syria and the events that have occurred since the 2011 uprising.

IWPR’s programme has provided training for reporters and civic activists in print and video journalism, with a strong focus on youth.

IWPR is now working across the rebel-controlled areas to build capacity for fledgling independent media, citizen reporters and journalists. This includes organising trainings, providing equipment and building networks.

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting gives voice to people at the frontlines of conflict, crisis and change. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, IWPR helps people in the world’s most challenging environments have the information they need to drive positive changes in their lives — holding government to account, demanding constructive solutions, strengthening civil society and securing human rights. Amid war, dictatorship, and political transition, IWPR forges the skills and capacity of local journalism, strengthens local media institutions and engages with civil society and governments to ensure that information achieves impact.