We hear about what is happening to everyday Syrians in the news: bombing, detainment, displacement. But how often do we hear the stories of what Syrians are doing to work towards peace in the face of such violence? Working tirelessly towards their vision of a peaceful future, Syrian activists have achieved incredible feats from healing sectarian divides to negotiating local ceasefires. Join Meet the Middle East as we welcome Maggie Jesme as she brings the stories of those working towards change in Syria to the United States.

Maggie spent four months last year working with Syrian activists in Gaziantep, Turkey at the Center for Civil Society and Democracy in Syria. Having spent the previous months as a Thomas J. Watson Fellow exploring the strengthening of social movements through psycho social support in a number of communities facing regime violence across the world, Maggie was most inspired by the stories shared with her by Syrian activists. Previously, Maggie worked with Syrians on two occasions in Jordan when she completed Melon Foundation-funded public health research and coordinated an entrepreneurial project with low-income Jordanian and Syrian women. This event is free and open to the public. However, reservations are strongly encouraged.

To RSVP your spot, email with your name and those in your party today!